2ww referal pathway

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Morning all,

So pleased to have found this forum. After a positive FIT test I've been put on the 2 week referral pathway. The nurse actually called the next day (friday just gone) and said I would need a colonoscopy and ct scan and someone will be in touch over the next few days to arrange this.

I've been to my GP over the last year for pain under my left rib, back pain and 4 weeks ago i noticed what i thought was dark blood mixed in with my stools and I have had bleeding most times when going to the loo since. I feel quite well in myself.

I had the fecal calprotectin test which come back negative but the FIT test came back positive. My GP didn't give me a score as others seem to have had, he just said it was positive, I think because my mind has been in overdrive I want to know what it is. What scared me was how worried the doctor seemed, he said because the test for inflamation was negative it essentially rules out some of the other causes for bleeding and made it clear that cancer was a real possibility. Frightened the life out of me, I'm only 40 and have a young family so it made it even more scary. After reading the forum, it's put me at a bit of ease as there are still other causes than cancer.

The nurse wasnt partucularly helpful when she called and said 'this will only take a few minutes so lets make a start and get it done with'. It seemed she was just reading out a tick list of questions rather than wanting to listen to some of my questions so I gave up asking in the end. I could of just been overly sensive though due to the stress of all this.

Anyway, i think I'm just writing this for reassurance really and it's good to see there have been so many positive outcomes. Fingers crossed I get the colonoscopy and CT soon.

Kareno62 18 days ago

Hi Mariner849d2362 and a warm welcome to the board. I’m glad you’ve found some of the posts helpful - we’re all at different stages of treatment and recovery and happy to share advice and experience. I’m sorry that the nurse didn’t seem to be helpful - it may be that they’re more on the admin side and just filling in the appropriate paperwork?

We’re happy to answer any questions on here so post away - there’s nothing too daft or embarrassing! You could also ring the support desk on the number below or post on the Ask a Nurse page

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_experiences/ask_the_expert-forum/ask_a_nurse

Hopefully you’ll get an appointment through soon and they usually tell you straight after the colonoscopy what they suspect. If it does turn out to be bowel cancer then there is a lot of treatment available and lots of success stories on here

Take care and please let us know how you get on?

Karen x

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

Movita 18 days ago

Hello,

I am in the same situation as you. My bloods show that I am anemic, I have had three lots of blood in the last month and my red blood count has declined a little each time. My FIT test came back positive and the doctor referred me on the 2 week fast track. I had a call from the nurse on Friday and she wanted to book me in for Monday. However, they put me on iron tablets and to have the cameras they need me to have stopped taking them for one week. I am booked in for 29th September. My doctor was lovely and very gentle in the way she told me that it was highly likely to be colon cancer. I hope you hear from them soon as I know that the waiting is the worst bit.

Take care

Emm

Kareno62 18 days ago in reply to Movita

Hi Movita and a warm welcome to the bowel page. Yes the waiting for the colonoscopy and then possible CT scans etc. is very stressful but once you know what you’re dealing with and have a treatment plan in place then things will honestly feel a bit better

Take care and please let us know how you get on

Karen x

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

Movita 17 days ago in reply to Kareno62

Thank you, and yes I will keep you updated.

Mariner849d2362 13 days ago in reply to Kareno62

Thanks for the reply. I've actually had my CT scan with contrast this morning and my colonoscopy is booked for next Friday afternoon. After speaking to a different nurse who called to explain the colonoscopy procedure, I do feel a bit more relaxed and she answered all of the questions I had. It's just the waiting thats the worst bit and bed time when the 'whats ifs' go around in my head. Does anyone know how it works with CT results as for some reason I've had that first. I think it was more that they had an appointment first so it's just the way the dates worked out. Will they call me or will I get them after the colonoscopy? It's all happened so quick but so pleased to have been given appointments so soon as I have read others haven't been as lucky.

Mariner849d2362 13 days ago in reply to Movita

Hi Movita, thanks for sharing that. It's good you also seem to have been seen very quickly, only a few days left for you to wait. I agree the waiting is the worst! Wishing you the best of luck and a positive outcome!

Movita 12 days ago in reply to Mariner849d2362

Thank you, not long to wait now. i’m feeling nervous now. I’m glad you’re booked in.

Mariner849d2362 6 days ago in reply to Movita

How did you get on Movita? I've my colonoscopy this afternoon. I've not been too bad this week but hardly slept last night due to being on the loo all night and woke up feeling really nervous. Not heard back from my CT scan I had last Friday so I'm hoping it means it's good news or they would have been in touch by now?

Movita 6 days ago in reply to Mariner849d2362

Hello, I had the gastroscopy and the colonoscopy. He said that he could not see any cancer in my colon which was such good news. I was so nervous. He has recommended that I have surgery for internal Hemorrhoids. The gastroscopy showed inflammation so he took some biopsies. He thinks it’s more likely to be a bowel disease. I just need to wait for my results to come back and i’ve got an appointment on Wednesday to discuss surgery with my doctor. I’ve got everything crossed that you will have good news. Please let me know and i’m thinking of you.