New & confused

Hi Ian and a warm welcome to the board. I think the return of scan results may vary by area but once they are back then the MDT (multi disciplinary team) will meet and decide on a treatment plan for you. This ‘limbo’ time can be stressful but once you have a plan in place then things will honestly feel a bit better. 
Ive attached a link to a booklet that I was given at my first meeting which will give you an insight into jargon, treatments etc.

https://bcuk.adidocdn.dev/Publications/Bowel_Cancer_UK_Your_Pathway_V10.1.pdf

Rectal tumours are often treated with chemo radiotherapy initially to shrink the tumour as much as possible before surgery but this will be discussed with you once all your results are back.

Bowel cancer is notoriously slow growing but very treatable. I was diagnosed with rectal cancer in 2016 (4cm tumour) and I’m still ‘no evidence of disease’ as are the 2 ladies that I became good friends with during my treatment. There are lots of people who have had a similar diagnosis and have now left the board to carry on with their lives.

I won’t lie - the next few months will be tough - but we’re here to help and support you through this. Stay away from google - it can be scary and out of date - you can ask anything you like on here - there’s nothing too daft or embarrassing 

Take care

Karen x

Hi it’s a very worrying time for you. I’ve had a Timor in my right side of my bowel the side of a fist and one in intestine in January had surgery was removed all clear hopefully if yours is only in one place it can also be removed try not to worry there are good and fairly speedy with surgery best wishes 

Hey there.   

I had a cancerous tumour removed along with the sigmoid colon where it was living……so just a bit upstream from yours   

I only waited 2 weeks between CT scan and the appointment with my surgeon 

For me I had a really positive outcome.  I like you had lots of blood in my stools.  Before my op they were able to tell me that it had no spread and after the op they told me it was not in the lymph nodes.   For me that means that I do not require chemo or any further treatment.  Just 6 months scan and blood tests which will go to yearly at some point.  Also for me surgery was very straightforward and my fear of being knocked out turned into having a beautiful sleep and being cancer free.  

I’ll keep everything crossed for you that you get the same outcome too.  For now go easy on yourself because it’s incredibly stressful and it’s normal  for your mind to go to the worse case but try to just focus on what you know to be facts and the hospital will take amazing care of you.  Xx

I had a 12.5 cm tumor that turned out to be rectal cancer. I was diagnosed in Aug/Sep 2023 and am currently considered cancer free. I'm still on intense surveillance and possibly not completely out of the woods yet but doing well overall. 

Karen has given you some great information. Try to find things to distract your mind. Worry is inevitable right now and the best you can do is distract yourself until you get a treatment plan. 

Thank you! It’s really great hearing all of these positive stories. I’m 72 and have a bad heart so I’m hoping I won’t need the chemo as it may not be an option due to my heart. 

Wow, that’s amazing. All of these positive stories are really helpful

Hi Ian,

Almost everyone says the same thing. The waiting for results and the outcome of the MDT meeting is one of the most stressful times, but once you know the plan you will feel much better – honestly it’s true.

Mine was 3 weeks between colonoscopy and consultation re treatment plant but they do vary from region to region and mine was a few years ago.

I had a 5cm tumour in rectum diagnosed at end of 2020. I went straight to surgery – histology showed T3N1MO – then had adjuvant chemo (FOLFOX).

Now nearly 4 years since end of treatment and still cancer free.

This forum is full of wonderful people who’ve been there and will help you through this.

Take Care,
Net77