Hi Wendy, that is amazing news, I am so happy for you. With only needing 6 monthly follow up scans is wonderful. I am having my picc line fitted tomorrow and then I start chemotherapy next Thursday morning. So at last I can now start my treatment with a positive mind and to stay strong physically. I hope I will still hear from you as it really helps having someone who understands what you are going through. Take care Wendy sending hugs.

Annemarie xx

Good luck today Annemarie 

message anytime and keep in touch will be keeping everything crossed for you xxx Wendy 

Hello all

Thank you sharing your stories. It is a scary time, but it's reassuring to hear about your treatment plans, and even when it goes into the liver too in multiple places, they seem to have effective treatments and cures.

If I might join in please?

I have just received a bowel cancer diagnosis today. Rectal with a not-small tumour. Whilst I am terrified, the Dr was very clear it was treatable, either through surgery, or chemo/radio then surgery, depending on what the scans show as to whether it may have spread through the lining to the muscles and or liver (I think). 

It was a huge amount to take in, but the Dr and Nurse were both talking in terms of total treatment and cure. Unless there are spreads and complications, in which case more treatment, I think? I tend to catastrophic, so now I'm trying to stop myself worrying it may have spread and have other parts inoperable.

Any advice would be very very welcome 

Hi 

sorry to hear of your diagnosis but positive that they are talking in terms of cure which is what they did with me constantly saying this will ‘cure’ so keep hold of that they know what they are doing and don’t tend to give false hope it’s very hard not to think of the worst and get in your own head but listen to what they say write it all down. It’s easy after the events to say try not to worry but you will it inevitable , I planned my funeral in my head what was gonna happen to my house other people’s emotions and wasted so much time being scared instead of living, make sure you make time to be kind to yourself. I Hope you have people round to support you but a wise person told me no matter how much support you have family/friends unless they have had the same experience they will never fully understand what you are going through so be prepared to feel alone at times even if you are not, which is why these chats are so important to connect with others who are going through similar. I also found writing a journal was good to get it all out I’ve hidden mine now as it was just for me (and a just in case). Hold onto the medics positivity they won’t say they can do something if they can’t. 
here if you need to chat

wendy x 

Hi there, I just want to say hello and add to what Wendy has already said.

I made the original post three months ago while I was in the middle of my diagnosis journey and was lying awake doing my own catastrophising! Being in touch with people who were going through similar experiences to my own really helped me then, and still does now. 

I am just about to go into my 5th out of a total of 6 chemo days on the 2nd January. My bowel cancer (a small tumour compared to others) was confirmed operable early on but the liver secondaries took longer to confirm. I have six lesions in the liver across the two lobes but the surgeons are confident they can get everything. 

My next steps after the chemo on Thursday are more MRI and CT scans the following week so the oncologist and surgeons can see where we are; my last round of chemo on the 18th then we plan for the op.

It is hard not to jump ahead, but for me it is easier to take each bit as it comes and not think too far ahead (other than to think positively that everything is going to be ok). I’ve no idea when the op will be, or whether it will be one or two. I can’t know these things until the MDT have discussed the scans so no point in planning or speculating what the next few months will look like. It is the same with the chemo, take every session as it comes, some days you feel worse than others but you can’t really control it (except to stay positive and know it is all happening for a good reason - to make you well).

Always happy to chat, either in this thread or privately. Hope it all goes well for you. 

Clare

Dear Wendy and Clare

Thank you so much for your kind words, and sensible advice.

I really struggle to be present in the now, and am always looking ahead. I know that's counterproductive but find it hard.

I spoke to the nursing team this afternoon. She was OK and somewhat helpful, but I also worried she was trying not to get my hopes up. 

I suppose if it has.spread, I could be in trouble. I thought the colonoscopy surgeon said that if it spread it would be through to the surrounding muscle, but also a chance of the liver. Does that sound right?

I hope that both your chemo and other treatments go well.

Thank you so much for sharing and engaging with me on here.

Hi I think it depends on what type of tumour it is mine was a nuroendocrine which spreads through the blood and then comes to rest elsewhere and develops metastasis (liver, lungs, kidneys) but these are treatable tumours so I was told. I agree with Claire that we don’t know the full picture till scans are taken and it can seem like we wait a long time but if they needed to do something immediately I am sure that would happen as I’ve known others wait less time than I did for my ops it also depends on where you live I would say. 
Our bodies are amazing as well and can endure so much x

Thank you, Wendy. That is more reassuring.

I have a CT scan booked in straight away for 2 weeks from now. I guess good they booked it immediately (my only having been for the colonoscopy today) but worried it can't be sooner.

I have no idea about the different types of tumours, and as you say, they won't know for sure until they have done both scans and get the biopsies back.

Your words and your bravery and your kindness in sharing your experience bring me some comfort. I am so grateful.

I know I will struggle with the waiting. My GP has just prescribed me something for the anxiety. The nurses say to stay active and positive. My fear is manifesting in not wanting to eat, which is creating a vicious circle.

Hi there, I would just like to join Wendy & Claire to saying hi to you.                                                                                              

I was diagnosed with a rectal tumour at the sigmoid in October. There is also a tiny spot on my liver but my consultant told me it was tiny. I had numerous scans and a liver mri and also a PET scan of the whole body to check for any further spread. Waiting for results is a really scary time, but staying positive really helps. I have been using mindfulness meditation and positive affirmations and they are really helping my mental health and keeping it in check.

My PET scan results came back clear with no further spread thank god. I started my 1st chemotherapy on December 19th and have my second of six on 2nd January. I know after completing six rounds then I will be scanned again and if the tumour has reduced enough then the surgeon will operate to remove it. The spot on my Liver will have to be operated as the liver specialist team work from there. I am so grateful to the medical teams that I can be treated and operated on to remove the tumour and then to make a full recovery. 
Try and stay positive if you can and remember that it is treatable and the outcome of a cure. I think the worst is when you hear the diagnosis it is so overwhelming and your whole world feels like it has been turned upside down. Once you get your treatment plan you will start to feel better that things are finally moving forward. 
I am here if you have any questions.

Annemarie x

Hi Annemarie and everyone.

Wishing you all a happier 2025.

I am of course spiralling now. The way my mind tends to work, I catastrophic and overthink. Whilst I'm broadly an optimistic person, I'm struggling for that right now.

My immediate concern is that I am struggling to eat. Did/do any of you have that? I worry I means illness spreading elsewhere to my stomach or something. I suppose logically it would mostly the anxiety, perhaps compounded by the trauma of the prep for colonoscopy, and I've also had a nasty virus.

So, I feel a bit nauseous all the time, have no appetite and am repelled by food right now. Being told to have a low fibre diet now by the colonoscopist hasn't helped.

Is this normal? Can anyone relate or advise? If I can get back to eating that would be a small victory for now.