Newbie 2ww

Hi Tegan

I’m not too far on my journey as only had colonoscopy a few weeks back and am going in for surgery tomorrow. I did just want to say thinking of you, and can empathise that the waiting around for answers is so stressful.
Colonoscopy procedure itself I found fine, not painful, just a bit weird. I struggled beforehand as the bowel prep drink made me sick so needed a reschedule and different composition of bowel prep drink. One bit of advice would maybe to sip slowly and take a break if you are getting nauseous.

Best wishes for Tuesday and next steps 

Clare x

Hi Clare,

Thank you for your kind words. I'm so sorry you're going through this. Best of luck for surgery tomorrow, I hope you have a good support network around you?

We may not know each other but If you want to talk or vent I am here. Personally I found it easier to talk more openly about my past health issues to those outside my family as I didn't want them worrying (which is silly because they're amazing)!

If you're able to, I'd love to know how you get on.

Take care

Tegan

Hi Wag1Teg1 and a warm welcome to the board from me. Yes there are several conditions with similar symptoms to bowel cancer but the main thing is that you’re getting checked out.

There are a few preps for a colonoscopy but the most common one seems to be moviprep. It’s not the nicest of drinks and unfortunately has to be consumed in quite large quantities. My top tips are

Mix it in a jug and put it in the fridge to chill - its marginally better cold.

Space your drinks out evenly and use a wide straw to try and bypass your taste buds

Have a nice drink ready to take the taste away. A clear drink like lemonade or tonic water with lemon is nice but avoid anything dark like blackcurrant. You can add squash to the prep but I would try it in a small quantity in case it makes it worse.

Stay near a toilet and have soft paper/ wet wipes ready and nappy cream/vaseline in case you start to feel a bit sore. 

Make sure you finish both sessions of the prep - you don’t want to not be fully cleared out and have to do it again. Eventually you will feel like you’re weeing out of your bottom but still finish the prep

At the hospital you’ll be offered sedation or gas and air. Sedation is a cannula in your hand and then you’re awake but very relaxed. You can’t drive yourself home and should have someone with you for 24 hours afterwards. I’ve not had gas and air but it’s supposed to be ok?

You will be given some very fetching paper underwear (I took my own dressing gown to put on but the hospital will advise you) with an opening at the back. You lie on your side on a table and can choose whether you want to watch what’s going on on the screen or not. I found the procedure to be painless and there is a nurse there to hold your hand if you feel worried. If they see anything out of the ordinary then they will take samples (you don’t feel anything) to send off to be tested.

After the colonoscopy is over then you will be taken to a recovery area and given some tea and a light snack.

Once you’ve fully come round then the nurse will tell you what they’ve seen and what action they’ve taken - if any. I’d seen something bloody on the screen and I was told after that they were 99% sure it was bowel cancer and the biopsies taken confirmed this.

Hope this helps - it’s a while since my last one but happy to answer any questions

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

Karen x

Hi Tegan,

The op went well today with no complications, can’t tell you how relieved I am. Early days I know as the next couple of days will be important, and could be very difficult, but so far so good and very positive.

I sent you a friendship request (new to the forum so assuming that means we can direct message?)

Hope that you are having a good day today and are feeling calm about next steps?

I am so lucky to have a great support network, my partner, my parents helping me out loads with my daughters, extended family and some truly amazing friends, but also can be difficult to talk to them as I don’t want them to worry and want to show I am positive.

Would like to chat more, can see similarities between our symptoms and would be good to share experiences. Please stay in touch if you would like.

All the best 

Clare x