New to all this...

Serina 4 months ago

6 replies
177 subscribers
396 views

Hi everyone,

I was diagnosed with bowel cancer on 4th July when I had my colonoscopy and was told it was in my sigmoid. I also have a fast growing, hard lump on my neck and a cough that I've had for a couple of months now. Since the 4th I've had several different scans and another blood test and am due to see a surgeon on Tuesday who will give me my results and tell me the plan going forward.

I have to be honest I'm quite scared and nervous about my appointment on Tuesday. I need to try to put together a list of things I need to ask him. Does anyone have any suggestions please?

Thank you!

Kareno62 4 months ago

Hi Serina and a warm welcome to the board. I’m just on my way out so will try and post more later but I’ll pop this booklet up for now which I was given at my first meeting and you may find helpful?

https://bowelcancerorguk.s3.amazonaws.com/Publications/Bowel_Cancer_UK_Your_Pathway_V10.1.pdf

Take care

Karen x

Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

CerysM 4 months ago

Hi Serina ,

I was pretty terrified too! It does get a bit easier when you know the plan. Then you just need to take each step as it comes.

questions I asked were:-

what kind of cancer?

how will it be treated? Are there any options?

how will I be monitored after treatment?

what’s the likelihood of a cure/reocurrence?

I how it goes well for you

Wishing you all the best!

cerysm

Serina 4 months ago in reply to Kareno62

Thanks so much for that. I'll go through the leaflet. I'm sure it'll be useful. X

Serina 4 months ago in reply to CerysM

Thanks. This list will really help. I've thought of some more and I'm sure others will come up during the appointment anyway.

Thanks again. X

Serina 4 months ago

Hi, I just thought I'd let you know what happened at the appointment. Unfortunately I have stage 4 bowel cancer which has spread to my liver and lungs and attached itself to my ovary. They've said that they can only offer palliative care and I'm to have another blood test and some MRIs and also obviously see the oncologist.

This has come as a huge shock as I was preparing myself for news that I might have to have a stoma so to be told this instead is overwhelming.

CerysM 4 months ago in reply to Serina

Hi Serina

That must have been an enormous shock. I just wanted to drop a line to say I was thinking of you.

Best wishes

Cerysm