Husband’s new diagnosis

Hi BexxyB and a warm welcome to the board. Yes cancer sends you through an emotional roller coaster but we’re here for you to vent. Bowel cancer has a lot of treatment options and the meeting next Tuesday will no doubt be to discuss your hubby’s treatment plan. I’ve attached a link to a booklet that I was given at my first meeting which may help with what to expect, terminology etc.

https://bowelcancerorguk.s3.amazonaws.com/Publications/YourPathway_BowelCancerUK.pdf

I’m sure court will be along shortly but if you click on her name then her profile page will show her mums treatment to date.

Take care

Karen x

Thank you so much for replying - I’ll take a look xxx

We were where you are now end of 2021. This early time when there is so much uncertainty is really hard. It is a rollercoaster with lots of appointments and tests.  It gets a bit easier when you know more what you are dealing with and have an initial plan. We had ups and downs on the way but treatment has been successful in bowel and liver. He has needed no treatment since end of 2022 apart from monitoring scans. This is such a better place to be in than where  I thought we would be two years ago. I rarely post but have lurked on these boards for the whole of that time. Feeling for you and your husband and wishing you both well, 

Thank you so much - we have a lot of support from friends and family but it is nice to talk to people who have lived it. And really do understand

I’m so happy that treatment has been successful - it gives me hope xxx

Lovely post Russ22 

Hope we see more from you . 
Court x 

Hi BexxyB 

It’s horrible news and such a shock when it comes out the blue . Mum was feeling great at 67 so we were stunned to learn she had a bowel tumour as she had no symptoms and then the double blow of a spread to the liver .

However bowel cancer is more favourable than some other primaries when it comes to a spread . Mum went straight to chemo and after a few bumps along the way she had liver surgery at a centre of exceence and removed 73% of her liver and has had no further issues with the liver . That will be  14 and 1/2 years ago and the 1/2 counts !

She us now in her 80s and just finished another 9 months of treatment. She is dealing with other health issues now . However her team have treated her incredibly well and if there is an opportunity to add in other options we have found them very proactive . There is criteria for everything and there are also treatments like radio frequency ablation . Location and size of tumours matter but chemo shrunk my mum’s down and turned inoperable to operable.

We found the first consultation very difficult as they are very guarded and won’t say much until they see how he as an individual responds and that is where the Hope lies .

My mum wanted to know about the treatment available but decided not to let them give her a prognosis as each person responds differently. Worth considering if he does not want to know this as he would need to let them know ,

Other than that they go through the treatment plan and the mechanics of how that will take place but be reassured they are in the background and rescan and regroup to see if other options open up then Seize the windows of opportunity.

Mum found it best to take it week by week and think of the tumour burden reducing . Stay engaged with life , projects and shorter more doable plans so it does not consume.

Always here to chat and support .

Take care ,

Court 

Wow Court what amazing news for your mum and  thank you for the much needed advice. I’m not usually the sort of person who would use online forums but I’m so glad I did. Thank you for taking the time to reply and share your story.  We are so determined to fight this and just want to get on with it now

Hello BexxyB, so glad you have joined- I am fairly recently diagnosed and I've found everyone here so kind and it's very helpful reading and learning from people's experiences and advice- I also think just knowing there is a community of people who do understand. Macmillan the charity and helpline are also just so helpful, like you I am maybe not usually on message boards and I would not normally perhaps call them up- but I have and honestly I do recommend- they do everything they can to make your life a bit easier. Do take good care of yourselves and speak soon I hope xx

Thank you so much - I already feel comfortable on here. I’m so sorry to hear of your diagnosis and it’s lovely that we can all support each other xxx