Bowel cancer fear

Hi everyone,

My 82 year old mum is recovering from stage 3 bowel cancer and doing well.

Just over a week ago I started to notice my bowel movement changed.  I put it down to eating more vegetables as there was some undigested food on wiping (sorry for the tmi).  I changed my diet as was trying to loose weight and eat more healthy.

The last couple of days the movements are more watery and with undigested food (I eat porridge for breakfast and could clearly still see the oats).  I am phoning my gp surgery on Monday to get investigations done.  I am overweight and haven't lost any significant weight.  I couldn't see any blood in movements but I know that my mum didn't prior to her diagnosis.

I have health anxiety.  I had acid reflux and stomach pain prior to the changes of bowel movements but this has gone after a few months on Nexium.

I am scared of the outcome being cancer.  There is alot of cancer on my mums side (her mum breast cancer, her sister unknown but secondaries in liver).

I am not getting any pain apart from more gas than usual and urgency to go to the toilet more.

I am reaching out in fear like so many and wishing to be brave.

Clare xx

Parents
  • Hi Tamzin,

    sorry that like me you are playing the waiting game and waiting for tests. It's agony isn't it ? My brain is just overthinking everything and I have convinced myself I have cancer. 
    I'm not sure what the numbers mean but she said mine was 6 and not that high but as my bowels have changed I am still frantic with worry. Had a blood test yesterday but because of Jubilee Weekend will probably have to wait a week for result and then what!?!! Like you I have terrible health anxiety and just need to know! Hopefully we will both be ok like your Dr said it could be lots of other things but because I'm in my 70s I feel my age is against me! Take care x

Reply
  • Hi Tamzin,

    sorry that like me you are playing the waiting game and waiting for tests. It's agony isn't it ? My brain is just overthinking everything and I have convinced myself I have cancer. 
    I'm not sure what the numbers mean but she said mine was 6 and not that high but as my bowels have changed I am still frantic with worry. Had a blood test yesterday but because of Jubilee Weekend will probably have to wait a week for result and then what!?!! Like you I have terrible health anxiety and just need to know! Hopefully we will both be ok like your Dr said it could be lots of other things but because I'm in my 70s I feel my age is against me! Take care x

Children
No Data