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Colorectal cancer with possible liver mets

JCMcN
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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

  • Offline in reply to Bnu

    Hello - I am just reading this post and threads / I wanted to know how the chemo went ? Has the op and chemo been a success? Thanks 

  • Offline in reply to Jubbee

    Hi Jubbee, my tumours responded well to the chemo. I had my operation in March: bowel resection with a temporary ileostomy and liver resection. All done by keyhole during same operation. They got everything out and also took 19 lymph nodes which the pathology showed were clear. It’s not an easy journey but things are looking a lot more positive than they did 8 months ago and I am currently lying on a sun lounger Kos!  The care I’ve received has been amazing (oncology, surgical and stoma teams). Clare

  • Offline in reply to JCMcN
    • Hi thanks for the reply - that’s fantastic news I am so pleased for you ! Please may I ask now that you have had your op do you need further chemo ? How tough was the chemo my FIL is in hospital 70s but stronger than most at his age …. We need to wait for scans concerned about liver it seems common that it goes there although he has no symptoms to say it has / recent bloods in ANE showed nothing ? I hope you are having a lovely holiday x
  • Offline in reply to Jubbee

    Hello again - before the operation the oncologist said that more chemo afterwards might be a possibility but at my appointment afterwards she said that there were no flags to suggest this would be necessary so said she would leave me be for now. I am due a follow up with her in October after the 6 month repeats of the CT and MRI. She said that my bloods don’t seem to show up tumor markers or any other red flags (I didn’t have any symptoms - just the positive poo test that triggered the colonoscopy) so using this as a diagnostic is of limited benefit in my case. 

    I tolerated the chemo ok but everyone is different. For me it felt similar to morning sickness. First 3 cycles I felt ok after around day 5 but next 3 it was around day 10 before I felt ok. Felt more wiped out as time went on. 

    My lowest point was before the operation. I felt like my body had given up on me a bit and really run down. I was still working (worked throughout the chemo) so I think I was just a bit wiped out and worrying about the operation and the recovery. 

    please feel free to message me any time. 

  • Offline in reply to JCMcN

    Thank you so much if it’s okay I will stay in touch ? Support like this I think will help what a lovely forum it helps to know he is not alone and advice and positive encouragement helps xx

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