Hello everyone. I hope everyone is doing well, best they can be during their journeys so far.
I am completely new to this forum, and to be honest, never in a million dreams imagined to be writing this. However, here we are. I am quite unfamiliar to the names, of the treatments, procedures etc. so I do apologise for quite a vague description of our current status. My mum, is early 50’s. She had some mucus upon passing stools for a couple of months over the Summer this year, she suspected bleeding piles or something similar. She did also have some stool changes, more of a lose type from what she’s said. Other that, nothing. Infact she is a picture of health, physically fit and very active. She had a routine FIT test come back normal around 18 months ago. After the ongoing mucus and stool change, she managed to get an appointment at the Gp September & referred for another FIt (positive this time with a reading of 49) then had the colonoscopy shortly after. She was told there was a rectal tumour discovered quite low from AV. -5cm roughly. (Highly likely cancerous but no confirmation until biopsy come back) This was devastating to hear, we had really thought & hoped that it could have been something less sinister. However we were not too concerned as we had false hope in that the report stated that this mass was a tiny size (mm) I suspected there may be an error in this as it seemed to not add up - we looked into things online & everything pointed to a very early stage of this was actual cancer & very treatable, depending on other factors. My mum attended a CT & MRI & awaited to hear back from the MDT meeting. They phoned her to come in for an appointment & this did ring potential alarm bells being so soon. At the meeting which was very soon after the meeting & call, my mum was told that yes this was cancer, and unfortunately there was indeed an error on the colonoscopy report regarding the tumour size. It was actually cm not mm & therefore around 4 cm I believe. Not only that, but they saw a spot on liver and lung, only 1 i believe but still not what we wanted to hear. We spoke to a lovely Nurse, who answered some questions for me, she explained there looks to be some node involvement around the tumour area but not sure of how much / what extent until she has a further scan. PET and MRIs booked now, just waiting. The nurse advised the spots are considered suspicious however could be something else, either way, mum will be starting a mix of chemotherapy & radio, hoping to shrink rectal tumour & hopefully surgery to remove. My mum is very positive in her mindset, which is great. I am showing positivity around her but inside I feel destroyed by this news. I feel so sick, terrified infact. Waiting for the diagnosis,I started reading on here as the other stories have been so helpful - informative & reassuring, however I have found the reality of possible outcomes also very scary & as an anxious person anyway - well it’s just in over drive now. I will remain positive & strong for my mum throughout whatever lies ahead. Please, any input positive stories / experiences would be truely appreciated. & thank you for sharing. This forum is amazing. I just signed up following the recent diagnoses & appreciate everyone’s effort in contributing to the forum, I wish you all the best in your situations & wish you all the best outcomes possible. Sending love & hope to you all.
