I'm sorry to hear that you've recently been diagnosed with bowel cancer. It's perfectly natural that you've been feeling a bit overwhelmed by things.
What have the specialists said about your diagnosis and the recommended treatment plan? Hopefully, they have been able to offer some reassurance and you feel supported by them.
There is no right or wrong way to feel or react when you receive the news that you have cancer. Try not to look too far ahead into the future if you can, as this often leaves people feeling overwhelmed. Just taking each step as it comes can help to make things easier. A day at a time is a good motto if you feel that everything is a bit much.
I hope that you're being well supported by family, friends and the specialists. Do lean on those around you for support. It can be for practical things, such as meals and transport or it might be that what you feel you need is a bit of normality and a chat with a friend will lift you away from the journey you are on for a short while. Or it may be that there is an organisation such as Maggie's in your local area where you can pop in for a cuppa with people who understand the challenges that cancer can present.
If at any point you would like to talk with one of our team of nurses, you're most welcome to give them a call. I know they will be happy to listen and offer any advice, information and support they can. If you'd like to talk with them, they're available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm on 0808 800 4040.
I'm also going to tag in a Cancer Chat community member, gruntifen, who has been through treatment for bowel cancer. Hopefully he will pop along to say hello but you might want to read through some of his posts, which I know have offered hope and support to others on the forum.
Keep in touch Gnd84 and let us know how you're coping. We're here for you.
Sending my best wishes, Jenn Cancer Chat moderator
Thank you, I am being supported just feeling numb and unsure at the moment, not spoken to the specialist as yet awaiting the results of the ct scan and from the biopsy carried out, should be soon hopefully so at least I know what I'm facing and have to battle with, but thank you for your message appreciate your time.
not surprising you are struggling to find the startline for your declared fight amidst the sea of emotions that will have your mind thrashing in turmoil.It will come into view after you get past the "why me" and "apocalypse now" moments.
Standing on that startline you may envisage yourself strapping on your armour and reaching for your weapons with which to head forth into battle,but what will those be?.The reality is closer to stepping onto a bus, being taken on a journey to an as yet undisclosed location.
That you will need the mentality of a warrior is beyond doubt, but one who will not carry weapons, but instead as one who will not break in a siege, you will not give blows, but need to carry the resilience to ride each one upon yourself as it arrives.
Your body and mind become the battleground and receiver, you do not give out the blows in response, that is for your allies,the medical team involved in your treatment, your task is to allow your enemy to wreck its futility upon the fortress of your solidity.
To allow yourself the luxury of too much personal stress is to provide your foe with an advantage and weak point from which to attack.
The weapons you must carry are trust in your inner self, confidence in your allies,the clearest stressfree mind you can provide as your body comes under pressure, and the knowledge that you will emerge far stronger than you could have ever imagined at the outset.
Walk gently but unerringly forward towards your future chosen destination that lies just over your current horizon knowing the possibility to reach it exists, one small step followed by yet another counted by many will carry your journey forward
Should you fall over or be knocked down, know that as you get up facing front, your feet will once again move forward, for this is the naked warrior you will become, the steel is in your mind not armour protection you would wear.
Hold on to this knowledge,it will serve you well in your future as it has done for all of us that have emerged stronger and better people from the challenge,
My biopsy has come back positive so it's a waiting game now after the ct scan meet the specialist hopefully soon after they have had there discussions moving on and upwards.
Wow thank you David if ever I needed a stir the loins speech to start my journey this is it I will draw from it and look at it no doubt in the times to come thank you for taking the time to message me I truly appreciate it cheers g
