Cancer Research UK main site
  • Replies 6 replies
  • Views 677 views
  • Users 0 members are here

Recently Diagnosed -

fran27
Offline

HI all 

I have recently been diagnosed with Bowel Cancer - have had nothing but excellent help, guidance and advice from my hospital 

I am booked in for surgery on the 13th february, and although my cancer is only stage 1 I am taking the advice from my consultant to have a bowel resection and a portion removed to make sure it has not spread to the lymph nodes. 

I too am strangely calm but I know I am worrying inside as i am having problems sleeping and my days are just passing in a haze of random thoughts - will it be ok, will i need chemo, will i be ok during the operation even will i wake up!!

I was not expecting this diagnosis at all and am so grateful that it is only stage one - but it seems like the surgey is quite extensive and I feel completely out of my comfort zone and out of control of the process - even though everyone has been so kind and caring. 

Any advice to quiet the voice in my head that is giving me sleepless nights would be hugely appreciated - have already looked out my knitting (havent touched it for 5 years) and am taking long walks along the Thames, but I still find my mind wandering - I guess this is a normal part of the process. 

Wishing all 'bon courage' on our journies - positive thoughts to all.

Fran 

  • Offline

    Hi, I am in a similar position to you and just had bowel resection surgery yesterday. I spent the last 3 weeks in a daze waiting for the date to come round then worried as it got closer! You will go between thinking about it and pushing it to the back of your mind. Try and keep busy I would suggest. I was working and trying to have some normality even though I knew it was still loitering in the background. I have tearful moments and strong moments comforting others.

    It's good to hear you have good support and guidance which I have too and that makes a difference. Just take a day at a time. You're stronger than you think, you can and will get through this x

  • Offline in reply to LilMay

    Hey my lovely

    thank you so much for your response - I'm very impressed your emailing 24 hours after your op!!!

    im taking your advice and keeping busy I don't think I've ever spent so long walking aimlessly around boots and Waitrose buying nothing!!!

    knitting is now found after a 5 year gap and I'm buying books to read whilst out of action and hopefully I'll get some other distractions for my stay although I fancy pottery(not sure why as I've never done it before) but  I doubt they will let me bring in a bag of clay and potters wheel 

    sending all thoughts for your speedy and relatively pain free recovery let me know how you get on and hope you get discharged soon

    fx

  • Offline

    Hi Fran,

    Welcome to the knitting club! I am very impressed that we are all looking out our needles and giving it a go. It has been an amazing tool in keeping my head focused. I don't even follow a pattern, just do my own thing. Wish I could share pics with you of my creations! 

    Anyway back to the bowels!! You have come to an amazing support network here. It seems like we have all been diagnosed quite close to eachother which is a comfort in itself.

    I don't have the option of resection as my trojan(cancer) has already impacted on my muscles within the anal canal so am being bombarded with daily chemotherapy & radiotherapy for 28 sessions to see if the dreamteam can eradicate it this way as plan A.

    Plan B - I have been told to prepare myself mentally for the possibility of permanent colostomy surgery due to the position of the cancer so I have everything crossed that it will be killed off with the chemo/radiotherapy but only on day 4....

    Lovely to meet you.

    S x

  • Offline in reply to LilMay

    How are you feeling today LilMay?

    Drop us a line when you can.

    Sending best wishes from the Scottish Highlands x

  • Offline in reply to shalaway

    Hi, I'm doing ok thanks. Have had some stabbing pains in the area of the surgery but told it is to be expected so persevering not that I actually have any choice! 
    Still in hospital because bowels haven't opened yet but hoping for some action in the next day or 2 and if all well I'll be going home. 
    It's amazing what they can do and I'm keeping everything crossed that it has been removed. Test results will be next Friday at the earliest. 
    How are you coping with your treatment? I hope you have some good friends or family to help support you on your journey. Keep fighting, we've got this xx

  • Offline in reply to LilMay

    You sound very positive. Good on you

    Had a bit of a worry yesterday as I began having chest pain. Ended up on an ECG machine but was relieved when I was told that it's quite common in individuals who have just began chemotherapy & radiotherapy treatment.

    The brain fog is pretty intense and I could sleep 24/7 but it's just my body adapting.

    I hope you manage to pass a movement soon so you can get home & I hope it's great news when you get the results.

    Take care

    S x

     

     

     

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.