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Hi Steve68 ,

  The waiting is the worst part.  Once you have a plan you will a lot better - you'll then have a plan of attack!  For me that was surgery and then 6 months of chemo in the form of tablets at home. 

  Bowel cancer is often treatable and is very slow growing so try not to get too stressed out about it just now (easier said than done of course). 

  I find that listening to hypnosis or doing yoga nidra (no bendy poses, just listening to a meditation while having a nice lie down) helps me to relax and feel better, it might help both you and your wife in this interim period.  Try Insight Timer app - that has some free ones I think.

  I hope Monday goes well - they may not call you, some teams will and some will just book an appointment to go and see them.  That doesn't mean it's worse news, just that different teams do it differently.  Mine always call but last time they wanted me to go in to see them - same kind of news, just different people involved.

Wishing you all the best for a swift recovery.

CerysM.

So a little update. 
Doc confirmed rectal cancer approx 3-4cm. 
Classified as stage 2 possibly 3. 
no lymph nodes infected. 
I have a few small spots on my liver which he believes are an historic event and not connected but needs another mri scan in liver so more info will be available before operation to remove cancer. 
im trying to take one or two steps at a time as im feeling very overwhelmed. So my next is mri and then another meeting to discuss findings and treatment. 

I feel more positive now after discussing what im dealing with. But strangely guilty when i read some late stage  the stories in here. 

stay strong everyone 

Hi Steve68 

Yes it does feel a bit better once there’s a treatment plan in place. Spots on the liver are very common and are often haemangiomas - these are harmless cysts which a lot of people have and go through life none the wiser unless they have this sort of scan. 

One step at a time is a great plan then things don’t feel so overwhelming. Try not to let your mind run away with itself and focus on the facts not the what ifs?

I was diagnosed with stage 3 rectal cancer in 2016 and I’m still ‘no evidence of disease’ as are the 2 ladies that I became good friends with and many others who have passed through the board and are now getting on with their lives. 

It will be tough at times but lean on us and keep posting and we’ll support you through this 

Take care

Karen x

One day at a time, followed by one week and so on. You will be looked after and trust the specialists.

my husband has been on a journey and chose not to know Google just listen to the professionals at each stage he found this better for his mental well being 

take care 

Hi Steve,

I was in the same situation 6 months ago, the diagnosis was practically the same just no info about the lymph nodes. In my experience the NHS has been excellent.

Within a month surgery for a colorectal resection to take out the affected section, a temporary stoma to allow the join to heal as it was very low down, a discussion with the oncologist to weigh up the benefits of chemo. This was where I found out no lymph nodes affected and although there was some extra mural vascular invasion it was all within the limits of the tumour, the benefits of chemo were outweighed by other risks. That meant I could press ahead and have a reversal of the stoma, that was 3 weeks before Christmas.  Suffice to say I am still on the recovery path all wounds are healed but the gut takes a bit longer to adjust to the new regime.

Be positive it all sounds like it is under control good luck. message me if you feel the need to find out more

Peter   

Hi Peter. 
your situation seems very similar to mine. And you sound like you’ve had some positive outcomes. 
I had a very bad time on my mri scan yesterday ( apparently I’m one of the few that suffers v bad side effects from the contrast drugs ). 
now waiting on next oncologist meeting hopefully early next week to discuss findings and possible treatments. 

Steve. 

Hi Steve,

Sorry to hear about your issues with the contrast dye. Your health authority seem to do things a little different to where I was treated, I had the surgery first but maybe they are hoping to reduce the size of the tumour before they operate. But on the whole yes my outcomes have thankfully been positive. 

this stage of not knowing and uncertainty is one of the hardest to deal with I am sure that once you have a plan of action and it starts to kick in you will feel more positive.

I can't comment on the chemo side as I was fortunate enough not to need it but if you have any questions about the surgical side I can give you my view not that it is medical advice.

Peter

Hi Steve,

I was in a similar position this time last year. Tumour was discovered at a colonoscopy after my bowel screening test came back positive. I know that horrible feeling of waiting and worrying. I had excellent care and after further tests , I went forward with a colon resection operation. I was lucky enough to not need chemotherapy and I have recovered well. However, I now know several people who had chemotherapy post operation and are also doing well. Stay strong. Sending support and prayers to you and your family.