Bowel cancer - waiting to see if it's spread which will be a while. Feeling hopeless and nothing I used to enjoy feels worth it. How do I get through this?

Was diagnosed with bowel cancer yesterday afternoon.  Now waiting for scans to see if it's spread.  Won't know for a while.  Have a huge amount of other stuff going on that legally has to be done and is also very stressful.  Live on my own.  Most friends coping with cancer already so can't go to them for help.  Feel hopeless and aimless and terrified, and I can't climb out of it.   Don't know how to get through.  Everyone says just take it easy and do things you enjoy, but I have to keep going, and nothing I used to enjoy feels as if it's worth it.  Am frightened of the long sleepless nights.  That sounds so pathetic, but I can't get past it.

  • Hi SMLC  so sorry to read about your diagnosis.  I don't have bowel cancer but have secondary breast cancer which is incurable but treatable.  I think the worst part is the waiting and not knowing.  I know that when I had a treatment plan in place I did start to feel better.  You might want to phone the nurses on here for some support and it is good to be able to talk to someone who is not directly involved but has experience of dealing with cancer and emotions.  Have you had a date for your scans yet?  You don't sound pathetic at all it is normal for your head to be all over the place and we all deal with it differently.  I am glad that you have reached out on here, it is good to talk to someone who understands.  Big hugs.

    Lee x