Colorectal cancer with possible liver mets

Hi,  I have just received a confirmed diagnosis of a colorectal cancer after having a colonoscopy  3 weeks ago and a CT scan a fortnight ago. I had no symptoms, this has all happened following my first routine bowel screening because I recently turned 50!

i had a previous colonoscopy 2 years ago which was clear so each step of my journey so far I’ve gone in to naively assuming all would be well.

However, it’s the gift that just keeps giving and I met with the colorectal surgeon today who told me the CT scan had revealed areas of concern on both lobes of my liver that are more than likely mets from the colorectal tumour. I already had an MRI scheduled for next week but will now have another on my liver and also a PET scan. So many ‘what ifs’ and I just need a plan.

I can’t believe all this is going on inside my body and I was feeling ok. I am trying my hardest to keep looking at the positives (Thank God for the bowel screening) but it’s getting difficult as I share the news with the people I love  and watch their worlds change forever (I have 4 kids and we told them tonight). I am scared but what I want most of all is for my kids to be ok. 

I’ve reached out to connect with a few of you who seem to have gone through / are going through similar to me, I hope that’s ok  xx

  • That’s good to hear Annemarie family and Friends are really important I did not tell mine for ages and it’s a decision I do regret now. 
    im home taking it easy first night was weird but looking forward to being the director of my house and dishing out the jobs lol x take care and I wish you well. 
    Wendy 

  • Thanks Wendy, how long was your surgery and stay in hospital? I’m waiting and hoping that my Pet scan I had last week is all clear. I think after you have any scans mri’sits always a worry of the unknown. Take care and please keep in touch.

    Annemarie

  • Surgery was about 6 hours as they did liver and colon at the same time I had problems with the epidural so they had to do when I was asleep but then it was dislodged when I came round so I just had oral pain killers. I went in last Sunday as they needed to do an infusion to block hormones in advance and surgery was on Tuesday early afternoon and then I was discharged yesterday. First few days I really was not with it and only as the drains and lines come out did I start to feel myself and the reduction of pain meds. The hardest I think was waiting between Sunday and Tuesday and all I could think was that feeling of driving away from my house, dog and that I might not return but surgeons are amazing what they can do when you are asleep and I have so much admiration for them. I feel really thankful that it was operable as well there are so many who don’t get that second chance. 
    sending positive thoughts your way

    wendy 

  • Offline in reply to JCMcN

    Hi Claire, I’m having problems navigating this forum. Since I last spoke to you I have an apppointment next Friday to see oncology as they now want to give me radiotherapy as well as chemotherapy. They said it’s because I’m having bleeding from the tumour. I only got my head around starting chemotherapy on December 5th now this too. It’s just so much to get your head around and very scary. How are you? 
    Annemarie.

  • Offline in reply to Willow6

    Hi Annemarie, it is so hard to get your head around the options and that things can change just as you are coming to terms with one thing. Hopefully you will feel a bit better when you see them on Friday. I was due to get disconnected from my chemo pump yesterday but it is running really slow for some reason and wasn’t empty so the district nurse is coming back today. I felt worse this time than the first round but nothing too bad. 

    I will send to a wee message (i also find it hard to keep track of the threads ) xx

  • Hi Lappinsasha, how are you? I am waiting to hear if my chemotherapy can start on Thursday and it will depend on the hospital arranging a picc line to be fitted. If not I will be waiting another week to get started. The sooner the better as it will be 3 months before I can think about surgery to remove the tumour. I will then need to recover from surgery and go to another hospital in Edinburgh for a liver resection to remove the tiny spot on my liver. I hope you are feeling okay. Sending hugs

    Annemarie xx

  • Hi Annemarie glad you have a sort of plan and timescale and it will be here before you know it. I’m nearing week 3 after op and only taking paracetamol and mainly just before I go to bed got told off for doing too much (walking) so trying to be good it’s still really uncomfortable but manageable and I know it will get better. Have clinic appointment in 2 weeks so hopefully will have confirmation they got it all and if I need any further treatment. Take care and message anytime 

    Wendy x 

  • Hi Wendy, glad to hear you are recovering from your surgery well. I am always out walking so I would probably be told off too. I can only seem to get onto this chat forum on my phone. When I use my iPad I can never seem to reach anyone and I never seem to get any replies from anyone. I contacted the helpline but still doesn't work.  Keep in touch Wendy and take care.

    Annemarie xx

  • I was very active before surgery, up the mountains and beach walks and doing lots of swimming my poor dog is wondering what’s happened I think. I use my phone have not tried any other device but did find messages in my spam the other day I tend to pick up from my emails. Only bonus suppose is time flies so hoping I will feel better soon xx 

    Wendy 

  • Hi Annemarie

    hope you are ok I have had good news that they think they got all of my tumours so I only need 6 month scans going forward with plans for if they do return with further surgery being the last resort feel so thankful there are people who research and train to do this surgery and who look after us in our darkest times. 
    thinking of you x 

    Wendy