Hi LilMay. I can understand your fear after being diagnosed with cancer.

I am a 68yo male. In mid 2021 I started to pass blood in my urine and waited until early this year before speaking to my GP about it.

He immediately referred me to a Urologist for tests. A cystoscopy ( very similar to a colonoscopy) was arranged to look for tumours in the bladder. During the TURBT proceedure, 7 tumours were removed and sent for biopsy. Unfortunately all 7 were found to be cancerous, The largest measuring 4cm. I was advised that they were Early stage but High Grade. This was followed up with a Colonoscopy and a CT scan to see if the cancer has spread to other organs around the bladder. They were all found to be normal.. A second Cystoscopyy was performed to see if any tumours had returned. They had not. As a treatment, I was given 6 weeks of BCG Immunotherapy, where a bacterium is infused into the bladder to stimulate the body's immune system to fight the cancerous cells. This has now been completed and I am waiting for a 3rd cystoscopy to have another look around.

The treatments were a little bit rough at times but I have now returned to my usual self and I am actually looking forward to getting the results from my next test.   I am going to beat this.

LiMay, even though you have had a positive result for cancer, the treatments are now very effective. I do understand that the waiting is extremely worrying but please be assured that once the results are received, the doctor will talk you through everything in a very caring way.. Cancer is not now the death sentence it once was. Chin Up, you WILL get through this.

Ron xxx

Thank you so much Ron. That is really reassuring to hear. I wish you ongoing luck with your treatment xx

Thank you. It is good to hear similar experiences. Keeping everything crossed for good news x

Hi,

Yes, I was given an instant diagnosis of cancer by the doctor carry out the colonoscopy (Sept. 2021) so it is normal, as far as I'm aware. I even had the pleasure of seeing the blighter on the screen when the camera made it's way into my colon. The tumor was so large that the camera couldn't pass by it. The advantage of the instant diagnosis was that there was no 'up to'  2 week wait for biopsy results, I had a scan the same week (arranged by my GP after he saw the colonoscopy result) and my surgeon met with me a week later to tell me that he could deal with it via keyhole surgery so I wouldn't need to be in hospital for too long (turned out to be 4 nights total - can't stand hospital food :laugh:). 

But this was a clear and obvious cancer. 

Try not to worry, just do everything they ask you to do, as they're the experts! 

Best wishes,

Dave x

Thank you for sharing. My experience sounds similar. My scan has come back clear of spreading, bloods were ok too. I'm booked in for surgery on 30th Jan. Hopefully it will all be removed at that point.  I wish you all the best x

Thanks for your reply. It sounds similar to me. I had my scan 3 days later day before Christmas Eve. Have been told it was clear and now booked in for bowel surgery on 30th Jan. Only then will they really know what they are dealing with because my colonoscopy also stopped at the tumour. Hoping it's not too bad past that point. I hope you are doing well now x

Hi, I was told after my colonoscopy I had cancer. He showed me the removed polyp and explained what he saw and why he thought I'd was almost certainly cancer. I had a very long 2 week wait, to hear that it was definitely cancer. It was caught early. T2 which is like stage 1. It hasn't spread anywhere. I had my bowel resection last week and have to wait another 2 weeks to see if I have to have chemo. It's all so scary and still so fresh for me, but just because they've seen what they think is cancer, it doesn't mean it's super advanced. Hope everything turns out well for you x

Hi, sorry to hear you are going through a similar experience. I hope you are recovering well from your surgery. Mine is booked for 30th Jan. There is a lot unknown at the moment because they couldn't get past the narrowing due to the tumours so they do not know how much needs to be removed until they go in. I may need a left hemicolectomy or an extended right hemicolectomy. I had my first pre op appointment yesterday and it is quite overwhelming so much to take in. I am trying to remain positive with the thought that it hasn't spread and hopefully the surgery will remove it. 
 

I wish you well with your recovery. Let me know how you are getting on when you can xx

Omg the amount of info they smash into you is crazy!!! I never remembered half the stuff they said to me, and would have to ring up the next day to ask loads of questions!! Has yours come back as a cancer result? Or will they test it after removal? I had 50cms of my sigmoid and ascending colon removed. It is a painful op, but it is manageable pain. Top tips for hospital, take nice flavoured squash!! You won't wanna eat for a day or two, then all you can have is jelly, ice cream or soup, so having something sweet that tastes nice to drink is the best!! Try and get up and about as soon as possible, that gets your bowels moving and the sooner you poop, the sooner you get home!! I was only in for 6days including the day of the op. If it does turn out to be a cancer, MacMillan are amazing, they are so helpful with everything, not just emotional support and info, but they got me a blue badge as walking far is too much, helped me with money, they are amazing. Good luck with your op, and let us know how you get on!!