Hello Jenny87,

                         blood in the stools is usually the wake up call  for most people to seek help,so long as they did not linger too long in doing so.Bowel screening aims to catch people early before harsher treatments are required,so blood on its own does not always mean it is very advanced

                                           Continuing  advances from research developments provide better targeting with lower collateral damage to the body helping weaker and older patients allowing for both cure and slowing the spread of existing issues.

                                                               l do hope the examination results are positive and provide a basis for an optomistic outcome,

                                            my best wishes, David

As far as I know I'm ok thank you.

The waiting ia hell isn't it. We imagine alsorts of the worst.

I am in my 50's first diagnosed at 49.

Always here if you have questions and I wish your Mum all the luck.

Thank you so much David. That's the part that was worrying me the most; the fact that she (and I) was unaware of screening possibilities at her age and so she knew nothing until the blood appeared. I feared that meant it's far too late and it would certainly be extremely advanced.

At least I now have something to cling onto while we wait for the colonoscopy. Anything, no matter how remote it may be, helps in these horrifically dark days doesn't it? The targetting is good to know also. I've heard such awful things about chemo etc but am by no means up to date.

Thank you for being there for others, despite everything you endured yourself. Your original message was so very motivating it literally jumped off the page at me!!! 
x

That's so good to hear! I'm so sorry you were really young when first diagnosed. My gosh. 

And crikey - yes and yes! I'm terrible at the waiting part and I imagine all sorts. I am utterly convinced I know what they're going to say and am torturing myself by replaying it in my head every few moments. I'm my own worst enemy! 

Thank you for taking the time to support us. It's so much appreciated and extremely kind of you 

x

Hi guys,

Just wanted to give a quick update.

I'm now 2 weeks post op. I had an open Hemi-collectomy, they also removed a node that was attached to my small bowel (they think this is how it spread to my liver) as well as 32 nodes. Only 4 of these where infected - small victory.

I recovered well, apart from one really sick day while in hospital. I've now been home since last Monday and I am getting better each day and feel like myself, the only thing bothering me is the amount of time I spend in my bathroom lol.

I should meet my oncologist in the next few weeks to discuss the chemo I'll need to have. Buzzing to get the next part of this started. 

thanks for your messages before my op, it really helped put my mind at rest!

Take care of yourself

Jadey x

Hello again,

                    its great to hear your good news,something to celebrate,

                                                                                                               David

Hey there,

I am in the same boat with my mum. Looks like stage 4 bowel cancer with liver spreads.  She's 72 so not much younger than your mum also I am worried tbh that they won't be able to do anything because she is 'old' and has diabetes and already fatty liver. She was in hospital with suspected pneumonia and had her lungs looked at which were clear but the doc noticed marks on her liver and sent her for tests which revealed growths in her bowel and liver and 2 on her stomach lining the primary being in her bowel. I am hoping they operate soon and take out her bowel and most of the liver then she'd have a chance with chemo.

i am devastated and with the COVID 19 bug it's worrying me even more. If she caught this it'd be the end of her and there'd be a hole in our lives forever.  I am exhausted from worrying and haven't slept since Mum was diagnosed . I hope for the best outcome for your mum , Jenny, and to Jadey also. Please chat if you feel you need to.
 

My thoughts go out to all of you with cancer and other awful setbacks. Life is unpredictable and cruel. x

It's nice to hear your possitive news.

As for being in the bathroom lots, that should settle down. I was told the bowel is a wonderful organ for adapting to change. After both my bowel ops and only having one side left I only go to the loo once a day most days.

Be extra careful with all that's going on at the moment.

xx

Thank you for your reply, it's good to hear that your bowels are back to normal and gives me hope that mines will be too.

hope you're well x