Hello CarolineRo,

Ten years on from a stage 4 bowel cancer with spread to the liver my advice is get all the doubts, what ifs, and why me's out of the way as soon as you possibly can and focus on what you need to do with what lie's in front of you.

The sooner you can accept that there is nothing you can do to change where you are, but you can change on where you are going and how you go about getting there. Its not easy, and be greedy in taking all the help you can get .Do not do denial but go big on acceptance. Remember that stress is your enemy and your enemies right hand assistant in the quest to overcome you. Remember you can win battles but you need to win your war, so pace yourself and do not overcommit your mental energy at the beginning.

Bring the very best you to your treatment,and use that to gain the maximum benefit from the excellent treatment your medical team will supply.

And if you are anything like me, take comfort when you are absolutely knackered from the effects of the treatment that your uninvited guest is getting a damn good stitching and picked the wrong place to invade.

Its hard at the very beginning but trust me when l tell you that cancer patients find that inner strength that resides within them which they have never had to call upon before, and it will serve you will to help you to a future that is beyond the initial diagnosis shock.

Go forward gently and never lose sight of the fact that each tiny step adds up to a path well travelled when joined by thousands of others,

David

David your words are comforting and I will reread many times. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I need to get the fight back in me!

I can not thank you enough. Bless you!

Caroline