Dealing with bowel cancer at 42- any suggestions

Hi, I was taken into hospital in February with stomach pains to be told they had found a blockage/mass in my colon and wanted to immediately operate- which they did. It was stage 4 bowel cancer and they have since also found a mass in my liver and in one of my remaining lymph nodes.

I’m waiting for the consultant discussion next week but have been given a heads up it’s likely 6 months chemo to shrink and then possible op on my liver. But the scans I had were a month ago… so I’m worried now that another month has passed waiting for the treatment and it might have spread more and the prognosis may not be as favourable. I’m terrified of it spreading.

Im a fit and active 42 year old woman and have two young children so I’m desperately trying to keep up the facade that I’m ok, but I keep wondering why this has happened to me! How? Why?

Im 8 or so weeks post op from the open hemicolectomy and with the prospect of at least 6 months of chemo (or hearing it’s got worse while I’ve been waiting)… I’m quietly screaming inside every day while putting on a brave face for my kids.

 
Has anyone got any advice for me or been through the same? It feels quite lonely despite having great friends and close family as I don’t want to burden them when they are already so upset for me.

Thanks for reading x

  • Hello Gina246,

    l feel your anxiety having been through a similar scenario 12 years ago, cancer tumour in bowel, nearby lymph node inflamed, subsequent spread into liver with 60% eventually excised.

    Our cancers will all be different but certain things we all will share.The first being lose the why me and the what if that burdens your mind in the small hours, it is what it is and no amount of trawling through your yesterdays will change that. You need your mind calm with clarity and focus to deal with the situation you face.Accepting you can only bring one thing to table, the very best you, mind and body to allow the medical professionals best efforts to have the maximum impact and success.

    Never underestimate the pressure of stress will place upon your body and its ability to cope with that and the medical interventions that will take place. Do not give your unwelcome invader any assistance or advantage.

    Like everything in life it becomes easier to deal with anything once you know what you face, but worrying about what that might be will not change that, just weaken and drag you down at the very time you need to rise up.

    Did l say this will be easy, of course not,it will be a long hard slog, but it will be important to have the best you on your side as you travel the path that stretches before you over a horizon.There will be branches off that you cannot see at present that could lead you to a future you desire

    If you have access to a nearby MAGGIES centre use it, they are an oasis of calm and understanding, you will much help from many quarters on your journey, use them all to your maximum benefit

    Go forward genttly with yourself, arm yourself with the personal weapons of resolution your mind can bring, and know that when in the darkest moments, they will be there to carry you through

     Take care,

    David