Recently diagnosed with Bowel Cancer and awaiting surgery on 12th November, all a bit of blur at the moment but what scares me most is what happens after the surgery.
I am a bit ahead of you I was diagnosed in July, and yeah it is all a blur. Remember first off you are being treated and everyone I the team has your best interests at heart. Always ask either your colorectal nurse or consultant. They will tell you where you are up to and what the out ones will be. Do not be afraid to ask even the most basic questions they will have an answer.
I can't deny there are tough times ahead but getting answers to your questions helps to get a handle on where you are going
Dave good luck we are all with you, keep in touch.
Youll spend a few days in hospital, and given all the advice re nutrition, exercise etc. after a couple of weeks they’ll take the sutures out.
After a few weeks you’ll have an appointment with the surgeon who’ll check that you’re “wounds” are healing, and probably that they removed the tumour, with good clean margins ( which means they are sure that only healthy colon tissue is left to join up again) and also some neighbouring lymph nodes. At this spot they’ll report back on the pathology, especially whether the tumour invaded the wall of the colon, and if so how far. Also they’ll tell you whether any of the llymph nodes were “positive”. So for instance in my case 5 out of 45 lymph nodes were involved, making me stage 3… which sounds scary, but just means there is a possibility that some cancer cells have got into the lymphatic system and standard advice is a 6 month course of chemo to “mop up” any errant cells before they cause trouble ( If 3 or less are involved a 3 month course may be prescribed). So depending on the pathology, and scans and blood panel etc. they’ll either tell you that they’ll review you regularly over the next few years, ( scans and coloscopy) or refer you to an oncologist who, along with a multidisipnary team MDT) to will work out the best plan for you. I’m two days away from finishing my 6 months Chemo. 8 rounds of 3 weeks, each starting with a meeting with the oncologist, and an IV infusion, which is then followed by 14 days of twice daily tablets, then 6 days “ rest” before starting the next round.
if you do need chemo, when you read profiles on here you’ll see that the chemo affects people to different degrees and in different ways, and adjustments can be made in dosage etc if necessary. You’ll be in the hands of experts. Good luck with everything, and keep in touch and ask whatever you need to
Thanks.. I was fortunate that the only real side effects were/are neuropathy in my toes… which should start to ease once this course is done. My life and activities have not been affected at all. Some people do have a tougher time though… but even most of them say “ it’s doable”.
You need to ask questions, but from a position where you don't know anything and are totally in a head spin where to start.
Remember everyone is rooting for you and wants the best for you.
I don't know what you have been told;-
Have you been given any indication of location of the tumour?
Have you signed a consent form yet? what does it say.
Are you going to have surgery laprascopically or full surgery.
Have you had any indication if it is going to result in a stoma (temporary or permanant).
these may help
My hospital experience was good (I think) you will be bed bound until they remove any drains and canulas. I felt pretty rough but everyone reacts to anesthetic differently.
If you want any support from some one then this is the forum to find it and get most of your questions answered.
Good luck with everything, have a good journey and stay positive
