Just diagnosed with bowel cancer 24 hours ago and so many questions but no answers

I had a colonoscopy on Friday and afterwards was told I have cancer but was given no details so the not knowing is the worst because your mind thinks the worse. All the person who spoke to me said was they found something suspicious and it cancer and then just kept saying ‘I’m so sorry’! I wasn’t given any details of what they found and was just told they would call tomorrow. At the time it’s just such a shock but now I have so many questions and no answers. I wasn’t awake during the process so saw two polyps removed one quite small but the other was 1.4cm. They also found a flat area which was white that they took samples from. The camera was able to pass through so no total blockage and what’s worse is I feel perfectly healthy. Hope I can get some more help/answers with people with similar experiences 

  • Shelley (oops - it's a very long reply. Sorry) 

    I completly understand how you feel. I went for routine c'scopy because I had Colitis and tumor was detected. I too felt healthy, no symptoms. So it's very hard to get your head around. 

    I had 2 options - remove the tumor or remove the entire bowel. I opted for full bowel removal so the Colitis wouldn't cause a further tumor, plus less complications with full removal compared to cut & resection option. Full removal has left me with an illestomy bag. I've had it a year and do far its been grand. Finding clothes is probably the worst part. Not everything fits comfortably with the stoma bag.

    After my op, I had 8wks to recover before I had 4 cycles of chemo.

    You will likely be sent for a CT scan - this will show the extent of the tumor/ if it's anywhere else. You may get a PET scan and MRi. I didn't the 1st time.

    When you get your surgery, make sure your consultant checks your bellybutton. Sounds weird, but mine looked distorted. My consultant did check it at every appointment and even had it biopsied as if wasn't looking normal. Turned out to be cancer tumor!!! After all the scans, it's spread to a few places so no surgery just chemo.

    My advice to you ask loads of questions. If you have to write down the info. My consultant let me take a photo of my scan results. Take some one with you to the appointments, moral support and for some one to ask questions you may forget. Don't always trust Dr Google or chatgpt - they don't always get it right.

    If you need me, I'm here. Literally be lying on the sofa in chemo recovery mode lol. 

    Take care & I'll be praying for you x

  • Thank you so much for the reply and I’ll definitely take all of your advice going forward and hope you recovering continues to be really positive!