Another recent Diagnosis

Hello Walts,

My caecum, appendix, ascending colon, ileum valve and part of my transverse colon were all removed in September, 2 weeks after the found cancer in my caecum too. I seriously didn’t have time to even think about it, which I’m glad about. And here I am. I was home a few days later, once it was clear that the new pipe- where my ileum had been attached to my remaining transverse colon, was working (i.e. the poop was moving along) then I was back under my own duvet. 

After 3 weeks, they explained it was a T3, N1b,M0 EMVI cancer. This meant it had gone through my caecum wall into 2 lymph nodes and a nearby vein. However, it hadn’t spread further. The operation had taken all of that away. I have a small scar and some dots where the camera went in. Because of the lymph nodes and the vein, I am currently halfway through “mopping up” chemo to try and zap anything that might be lurking around that’s too small to be seen yet.

No, I didn’t think this was how 2024 was going to end.In fact, I had no symptoms. It’s still just sinking in that cancer means me, my life, but it does. The reason it’s weird is because: I actually feel ok! One of the drugs hasn’t agreed with me very well, but I’m seeing my oncologist tomorrow so we can sort it out. 

Honestly, the worrying is much , much worse than the reality. I’m not scared of the word cancer any more, because I understand now how astonishingly prepared the NHS is for us and how incredible the teams are. Yes, I left my comfort zone completely, but I genuinely didn’t feel alone- and you mustn’t either because you’re not. When I was at my most vulnerable in hospital, physically and emotionally, I was cared for by genuinely gifted people who made me feel reassured and safe - and you will be too!

Yes, of course it’s bloody terrifying and you are absolutely right to be scared, because it’s not very nice! But you will come out the other side, you will beat the horror and you’ll be back to the comforts of your life before you know it.

Don’t sit on your phone in the wee small hours chasing answers to this! Google can be dangerous and very unhealthy. I hope you can rest better knowing that in sharing your story there will be a bunch of people reading it who have been where you are, who have come out the other side and who are thinking kindly of you sending their love xxx

Take Care,

Nic

Hi Nic - I truly appreciate your quick response, and thank you for your encouraging words....I am.also fighting the sleep anxiety, but that aside, I hope my outcome is as good as yours seems to have been....I'll try to let you know once I know more when they've analysed my removed tumour.....I hope your recovery continues to go well, xxx

Sage advice there, and it’s good to hear the experiences of others.

My mother has cecal cancer, and is awaiting surgery next week to take out the right side of her colon and some surrounding lymph nodes, which came up warm in her pet scan. 
They think that it’s travelled to the lung, with three or four nodules showing signs that it has metastasised. The lung nodules are small- 3mm to 6mm. There’s nothing showing in the liver, pancreas or distant lymphs.

We’re trying to remain positive but it’s difficult, and am trying to stay off google etc. As I understand it people with metastisised crc might not be cured, but can live for years. I’m also heartned by the development of things like personalised cancer vaccines to try and keep recurrences away. 

I wish both you and Walts1 well with your treatments. 

Hello Walts1

Following blood being found in bowel screening test I had colonoscopy at beginning of October. I have a flat rectal tumour the size of a 50p. Currently am 2 weeks in of 5weeks chemoradiation. Am hoping I am one of the 20% whose tumour is destroyed or else in 8 weeks operation to remove and permanent stoma. Has all happened very fast and have no symptoms so feels very unreal. Am taking one day at a time. Like you have difficulty sleeping but the radiation is starting to make me tired so am now sleeping better! Stay positive and know thar everyone else going through this is petrified too

Thanks for your reply FrankL, and yes, hope all goes well for your mum...xx

Thanks for your response AnnaDuck, and I appreciate your kind words  I really hope it all goes well for you, try to keep strong......xx