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Recent bowel cancer stage 3 diagnosis

Lann
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Hi guys

I am 58 and had never experienced any bowel or stomache related issues EVER!  So I was shocked to have been diagnosed with S3 bowel cancer 4 weeks ago.

Only symptom was eating ridiculous amounts of ice and occasional tiredness.  Blood test showed severe anaemia and colonoscopy revealed a small tumour on right side of bowel. 

I have always been fit and active, a non smoker and occasional drinker.  So a big kick in the wotsits was felt by me and the rest of the family.   However it was later discovered that I have a genetic mutation.   So I was always going to get this little monster growing inside of me anyway! 

 Im so scared for my kids as I'm afraid that I may have passed this on to them.  They will need genetic testing going forward.  

Has anyone been in this position.  Any advice would be appreciated  . 

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    Hi Lann I was in a similar position but slightly older than you. I was 69 at the time. I had IBS but no other symptoms I swam, walked and ran. No weight loss etc so shocked to get state 3 diagnosis. I had chemo prior to surgery last year. I now have a temporary ileostomy. I completely know how you feel. I can only say I felt better once I was told what my treatment would be and when it would start. Trust in your team, mine have been brilliant. There’s no denying it’s a journey you don’t want to be on but I’m happy to chat whenever you want. 

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    Hi Lann. I can relate to this one. I've lived for over 20 years with inflammatory arthritis, the side effects are fatigue. It's usually controlled well with drugs but I've started feeling more fatigued lately. I put it down to the arthritis but when I lost weight over Christmas and New Year, despite eating loads, I went to GP. After the FITT test was elevated, he sent me for colonoscopy, where I was told it was cancer. Diagnosed Stage 4, inoperable and incurable in March this year. I was put on palliative chemo and after 7 rounds I've had a scan which shows that some of the tumors in my liver have shrunk, and some have disappeared! I'm now waiting to see the Liver team to see whether I'm eligible for liver operation to remove the remaining tumors, along with the bowel tumor. Never give up hope! 

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