Hello Patty,

my name is David and l am a ten year survivor of stage 4 bowel cancer with spread to the liver and 60% excised.Of course you are frightened if not terrified, you are stepping into the unknown and the land of what-ifs, its a difficult climb back onto the secure foundation of your life that you enjoyed before it was snatched away from you with a short sentence of words, but a longer sentence of struggle.

l had a career in livestock farming, so l had seen how much stress can affect recovery outcomes in the sick and ill, in that l had a head start so l determined not to give my adversary any advantage.

l focused on what l could change and not on what l could not, looked at the positives not the negatives, got my head around the knowns, not the unknowns.

Yes l accepted my visitor could kill me, but also that it could be killed off within me, just as l accepted that if l got hit by a bus it would not end well.Once l got the dying possibility out of the way it was easier to focus on what l needed to do to survive

 The reality is your medical team will do the leg work, all you have to offer is the best you with a mind that is not filling your body with stress ,stopping it from its ability to concentrate on the task of healing itself from both the invader and the treatment that will attack both the bad guys and its good ones. 

 So its a race where the preferred outcome is for your body to carry the day in the fight you face.and getting your mind in the best possible place which is the big positive, so is the news that it has not spread, and you have not been hit by a bus.

 Find your own positives and focus on them, look forward not back, accept you now have a journey to travel, you may not have chose the path but you can influence the possible destination.

Whilst your fears are real, do not let them rule your hopes, vision or determination, deal with them early, put them in a closed box, and let your positive assets accompany you into your future, in doing so you will discover a quiet stoic resilience within yourself that will stand you in good stead.

Go gently forward and know that each small step when multiplied can lead to your preferred outcome,

Hi Patty

i was diagnosed with stage 2 anal cancer that had spread to my groin lymph nodes on both sides in September last year. I had chemo and radiotherapy for 28 days and was scanned 3 months after the treatment finished & I got the all clear. The treatments these days are very targeted and whilst it can be tough at times it does work. When I was diagnosed my head was all over the place but then I found this group and got chatting on here with a few people & we have all kept in touch. I’m happy to answer any questions about my experience if it would help. Take care x

Hi there, Patty, and thank you for your post

I am sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis and the anxiety it is causing you.

Being diagnosed with cancer is understandably a worrying time, and it is important that you get the support you need at this time.

As others have said on here, it is important to get a good understanding of your situation and what it means for you. So do speak with your specialist doctor to ask any questions and air any concerns you have. Find out about the treatment they are intending for you to have and what they hope to be the end result of the treatment, too.

Times like this are unsettling, and the mind can run away with itself, imagining all sorts of things, so try and reign those thoughts in for now and instead focus on the facts.

From what you say, the doctors don't think the cancer has spread, which is good news. I am sure they will be wanting to do all they can to give you the best possible outcome, so try and focus on this and, as others have said, take things one step at a time.

I hope you also have family and friends to surround you and help you out and be there for you in any way they can.

Do get back if you need to, or you are welcome to call us on 0808 800 4040, we're here weekdays 9-5.

Best wishes

Naomi