Never thought I’d be doing this

Hi Honora,

Sorry to hear your news pet. My cancer was in the same place (caecum?) and was also discovered by accident. I was like you I imagine: absolutely no idea it was there and no idea what it meant. I just thought cancer. Cancer. 
That was September last year. My story was that they then operated on me and removed the tumour, also removing the end of my ileum, caecum and appendix , ascending colon and part of my transverse colon. Then they stapled the end of my ileum to the transverse colon. In hospital for a few days until it all started working again and the tumour is completely gone. Within a few weeks I was eating normally, going to the toilet normally (that was ok after a few days) and generally rebuilding my strength. 
Bowel cancer is treatable. Very treatable. I had chemo afterwards to catch anything that might be lurking and went back to work last week. 
This forum really helped me immensely to connect with others and feel so much less alone and frightened. People here will hold your hand as you travel your own journey. No questions are too big or too small. There is a lot of positivity, but it’s not fake or toxic, it’s genuine and reassuring. 
You’ve got a bumpy ride coming up, but the NHS are absolutely unbelievably incredible at this and the MacMillan folk are absolutely fantastic. I wish you all the best and don’t be afraid to ask or bent or anything here, it’s a very safe space.

All the best,

Nic x

HI NicNak72,

A very reassuring answer. x

Hi Honora,

I was in your position 2 weeks ago. Waiting to see the consultant surgeon was agonising. He was so reassuring and positive and I felt optimistic as there was a plan. 

Wishing you well. Stay strong. x 

Thank you Nic, I so appreciate your message and sharing, sometimes I feel I can get involved and others not so much but it very early days and I appreciate I have some road ahead, I’m so pleased your thru the other side and making good progress, stay well, stay healthy xx

Thank you for reaching out, we both have our journey ahead and I wish you a speedy resolution and a bump free ride xx

Hi Honora, the early days are pretty horrendous. I was in this position over Christmas. I am now post operation, awaiting chemotherapy. To be honest, it still feels utterly bizarre but things do feel easier once you have that first meeting. This is a lovely supportive space and you can draw from it what you need. Sending very best wishes and good luck on Tuesday x

I was surprisingly diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer in September 2022. My eventual diagnosis was T3N1M0. I opted for robotic surgery and 2.5yrs on I am doing really well and in the 5yr surveillance programme.

If detected reasonably early bowel cancer is very treatable and in many cases curative. It’s important to listen to your medical team and do exactly what they ask of you. Do not google anything-it’s all out of date and mis-informed. 

I can relate to the shock and maze of emotions. Try to stay calm. Best wishes on your journey and use this forum.

Hi Honora. I had a similar situation. Cancerous growth up near the small intestine. Surgery removed that part of my colon followed by 4 months of chemotherapy which was finished in June 2024. Since then I've been cancer free. A colonoscopy yesterday found nothing except 3 tiny polyps which were removed. So it's perfectly curable and, although scary before you start your journey, isn't as bad as you might imagine.

I didn't have any side effects from the Capox chemo that I couldn't cope with (neuropathy and first bite) and had the most caring and supportive care I could have wished for. So be positive and look on this as a pause in your normal life. All the best for the future xx