Or should that be forum-ee? Anyway, I've never been on a forum before so new at this. I thought I would say hello and say a bit about my story, or now.
I was diagnosed with bowel cancer in December 2020, had keyhole surgery to remove the tumour in February 2021 followed by 3 months recovery and then 3 months of chemo. My CEA marker was 2 and life went back to normal. Then in December 2023 it was confirmed that the cancer was in my liver (some cells must've managed to avoid the chemo and took up residence in my liver where they grew a sizeable tumour). March 2024 and I was back in hospital where I had open surgery that removed half my liver. Recovery was harder and took longer this time but again I had great support from family and friends.
But last December they discovered lots of tiny lesions in my lungs (what is it with December?!). So no longer operable it's now about management and not cure. I'm being monitored every 3 months and so far nothing has changed. My CEA is 4, there are no new lesions and no growth. I will start chemo at some point and the waiting games is frustrating but I have counselling through MacMillan, I do emotional mindfulness at home and talk regularly with family and friends.
I have decided that I don't live with cancer, it lives with me.
Thanks for bearing with me and reading this far 
Just saw your post. You have definitely been through the mill. My cancer journey has been different to yours but people like you are truly amazing. People like you got me through the dark days. So thank you for sharing. I love that you’ve decided who’s in charge and cancer lives with you.
I’ve definitely found posing on here truly therapeutic and like you talking to family and friends helped and still does help me. I had my sigmoid colon removed in December (keeping the December theme going!)I was stage 2 with no spread to lymph nodes so I class myself as worried well. 
️
Hi Scoutabout,
"I've definitely found posing on here truly therapeutic"...please please don't let this be a typo! I love it, you made me laugh out loud! 
. I'm so pleased your dark days are in the past and that you can still turn to family and friends when you need to. Support is so vital isn't it. I sometimes think I don't look for it enough, it's too easy on occasion to shelter family from knowing how I really am doing.
Yep, I've allowed cancer to live in the wardrobe in the spare room for the time being. We're meeting up for a coffee and a chat on Wednesday evening, after I've had my 3 monthly chat with my oncologist to find out the recent CEA and CT scan results. But I'm not providing it with cake, it can bring its own 
I love your attitude!
My first surveillance scan was clear but I have another one in April. I'm also having my first surveillance colonoscopy in April (5 months early! I'm trying very hard not to read anything into that!)
So basically I evicted the cancer but the court may decide it's moving back in at any time.
We really need to get better real estate people, don't you think?
Hi Susan13,
Sending lots of positive vibes for a good colonscopy result in April; don't let those little niggling thoughts win the day. I've recently started 'sitting with your emotions' meditation as I often bury the negative ones (not well enough though). it's been really helpful. Now instead of ignoring them, I 'sit' with them and offer them a hug. sounds daft doesn't it, but it's helped me.
Whatever the court decides, you can deal with it 
Just thinking how I'd describe myself to a cancer real estate person...hmmm...an old property, in need of some repair, might be bats in the attic
