Bowel cancer - on the road to recovery

Femina88 4 days ago

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Hi I am new to this forum. I collapsed in early October 2023 with a blockage in the bowel which was found to be cancer. Ironically it was the day I received the letter stating my bowel cancer test was negative. Had emergency surgery including a colostomy and spent a month in hospital because my bowel went to sleep! Had great care in my local hospital. Discharged home with a diagnosis of Stage 3 pT4a pN1b and four weeks later started four cycles of 'preventative' chemotherapy XELOX (Oxaliplatin and capecitabine). Had bad side effects including peripheral neuropathy, vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea, night sweats and insomnia. Dose reduced by 20% half way through which reduced the worst side effects. Made it to the end with huge support from family and friends. Subsequently found to have anaemia and spent 5 months on medication. Finally in 2025 I have started to turn a corner and have more energy although a bit of lingering neuropathy in hands and feet. So far clear so optimistic about the future.

Kareno62 4 days ago

Hi Femina88 and a warm welcome to the board. You sound to have been through a lot but good to hear that you’re out the other side and feeling positive about the future. This can often be a strange time when your emotions can feel a bit mixed so you might like to have a look at the paper below which pretty much sums up how we often all feel after finishing treatment.

https://www.workingwithcancer.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/After-the-treatment-finishes-then-what.pdf

Thanks for sharing your story - it’s always good to read about positive outcomes and gives those just starting out a boost

Take care

Karen x

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

Cromo73 4 days ago

Hi I was diagnosed with 6 weeks ago with bowel cancer. Week later rushed in had stoma bag as bowel was blocked. I hate the stoma I will never get use to it. It’s uncomfortable all the time. I have stage 3 and a 10.9 cm tumour. Cancer is in my lymph nodes, near my liver and near my cervix. I started chemo tablets yesterday & radiotherapy. I have to have 25 days of that & my lovely treatment consultant is so positive she is like we will get rid of it etc and am like yes as I am a positive person but the surgeon was like so negative long story but I am determined for a positive outcome!

Kareno62 3 days ago in reply to Cromo73

Hi Cromo73 and a warm welcome to the board. I know the stoma can take a bit of getting used to but a blockage can be life threatening so it sounds like it was necessary. Have they said if you’ll be able to get it reversed after your treatments finished? Have a chat to your stoma nurses about it being uncomfortable - there’s lots of different bags/pouches available and creams and powders to help with any soreness. Lots of advice on this board too

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_experiences/ileostomy-and-colostomy-discussions-forum

I think your treatment consultant sounds to be the one to listen to! Chemo radiotherapy can be very successful at shrinking tumours and zapping lymph nodes - my tumour shrank by 75% after my 5 weeks.

The next few months will be tough but focus on each stage as it comes and we’ll help and support you through this

Take care

Karen x

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

Cromo73 3 days ago in reply to Kareno62

Hi thank you x am trying to stay positive .

Cromo73 2 days ago in reply to Kareno62

Thank you ️ so glad I joined this community x