Has this in introduction but think it should be here, so if muddled anyone.
Hi, am an oldie - 67.
I do not know if I have cancer or just have a lot of different symptoms independently - that together point to cancer but could actually have nothing to do with each other but the GP I saw yesterday decided cannot wait for previous tests to come back before moving to the next stage.
It started with me having bad pain and bleeding from my belly button in Feb 2022 but could not get an appointment with my GP till May 2022 then GP was not bothered, as 20 years ago had my gall bladder removed and they went through my belly button as one of four areas to remove it, so said just scar tissue pulled and so the pain and bleeding but said they would contact a general surgeon to see what they think, no outer signs on tummy.
I eventually received an appointment with a general surgeon in June 2023 who said he had no idea what was up so said I was to have a US. I had this and a radiographer told me she could see a hernia with fluid around it yet when I went back to see the surgeon a week later he told me no there was no hernia but would not say what it was but I had to have a CT Scan with contrast and he also asked me to promise that no matter what showed up in that scan I would agree to have my belly button and surrounding area removed but he still would not say why.
While I was waiting for the CT Scan I saw my GP as my bowel movements had changed, had always had constipation due to IBS for about 35 years but now it was loose and many times a day. Had a Fit test which came back positive, nothing great 14 but my GP said must be put on the cancer pathway and two weeks later in mid-August, a Dr called me and said I needed to have a colonoscopy. I told him about the bleeding and pain in the tummy button and about having US and waiting for a CT Scan but he was unimpressed and dismissed my concerns that they could be connected - as a side note he has written to my GP saying he has put forward for a Colonoscopy but feels its a thing he should do and will the no doubt discharge me after it.
Meanwhile, while all this is going on my Ferritin levels have been rising as well as my B12 levels yet I don't take supplements so back in May when I saw my GP she asked me to have bloods done and as they were high said to have them done again in 3-4 months so did so at beginning of Sept and again both levels were higher than before.
I had my CT scan with contrast 3 weeks ago today but as yet not heard anything and so far do not have an appointment for my Colonoscopy.
It took me 2 weeks to get an appointment with my GP about the continued rise in levels of Ferritin and B12 and so so GP yesterday.
She listened and went through all my tests and symptoms and said she felt I could not wait until I have a colonoscopy or the results of the CT Scan were through and she is worried it could either be severe inflammation that is causing everything but where or it is Myeloma as I had not known my B12 levels have actually been rising for past years as due to me having type 2 diabetes I have bloods done once a year for all the usual things like Ferritin, B12, Kidneys, glucose levels, etc but unless my GLucose level has risen a lot I am never called to see GP or told what the results are and it is only from May this year that my surgery has started to put all my medical records online via HNS App but no further back than the beginning of May 2023.
The GP I saw yesterday asked me if anyone had mentioned consistently rising B12 levels and she said that no one had mentioned sending me for more tests to find out why high levels, of course, would be in my records.
She treated me as an educated woman who was not going to faint or go hysterical at the mention of cancer and I am so grateful to her for that, so we had a frank discussion of what might be going on but of course, all speculation until further tests are done and as she said the one thing she was happy about was I am not losing weight so even if I do have cancer there is a chance it is at an early stage and so have a chance of beating it.
This I admit is all going around in my head but trying to stay positive but I cannot tell my family as I don't want to worry the children/grandchildren unless there is a reason especially as some live abroad and so worry about me anyway and hubby. My husband is the type that you deal with something when it happens and only then. He is like that about everything, he does not feel taking any preventative measures against anything is worthwhile, you just deal with things as and when they happen and otherwise never think about them. Has caused a few problems in our nearly 43-year marriage. He is the type that only has car insurance as it is the law to him well he is not in a car accident now and may or may not be so why worry about it now, don't get me wrong he is very law-abiding but we only have house insurance as I insist. He is undiagnosed but am sure he has Aspergers and he fits the profile so very, very well but refuses to see a doctor so is very, very black and white about everything, no grey areas to him. So I cannot say much to him as his take is if I don't have cancer then worrying for nothing and if I do have it then worrying will not cure it only treatment will so until I know I should just put it out of my mind and forget about it. Friends have their own problems so don't want to burden them so joined here just to let off steam, and put all my thoughts/symptoms down in the hope it just ease my anxiety.
Our youngest is getting married in November and admit I worry I might have to have treatment then or be unwell because of it, she has enough on her plate with her MA studies as well as her wedding. The one plus is she and her fiance live 100 miles away after her BA, so easier to keep news from her than if I saw her face to face daily, they moved to a new area instead of coming home as planned as she was accepted at one of the best universities for her MA subject and her fiance who has both his BA and MA and teaching qualification and has had enough of study has got a job teaching A levels at a college there. Our girl hopes to go on and do a Ph.D. as she really is happiest when studying something she loves.
My other two are a lot older and both long past university and studying and doing well in their chosen careers, both married and with children but one is now 10k away but will be back with his family for the wedding.
Hubs and I are both retired but although I might be 67 I admit I am not ready to turn up my toes just yet so part of my anxiety is actually impatience as if there is a battle to be fought I want to start it rather than just hanging around. This has always been my way I see any health problem I have as a battle to be fought and won if possible ( not having much luck with diabetes but I keep battling on).
Not sure if this is the right attitude to face possible cancer but it's my way.
If you got this far thank you for listening to my ramblings as I know given my age I am very lucky to not be so many who are so much younger and facing an indefinite future due to cancer and to many am sure they will wonder why I am anxious as I at least have lived my life and seen my children and some of my grandchildren grow up, so should just be thankful for those 67 years. Guess I do feel guilty feeling I want to live and resources being used maybe on me to help me do so when so many younger ones need them.
