Hi Hariett, 

You are certainly not selfish or silly; sometimes fear paralyses us and it seems like this is what happened here. I would strongly recommend you ring back the hospital and arrange that important colonoscopy. I know it's really hard to do but if you have been referred for a colonoscopy it doesn't necessarily mean you have bowel cancer; there are so many other conditions that can be detected via the colonoscopy and it will be an excellent tool to determine what is causing your issues and to treat these too if needed. 

I am sure others here will have felt like you before wanting to make it all go away and disappear by not turning up to tests or scans but sadly this will resolve nothing and will only cause unnecessary delays in getting a diagnosis. I think you need to be really brave and go and attend this colonoscopy.

I am keeping everything crossed for you that it all turns out to be nothing of concern and that the procedure goes smoothly for you. 

Best wishes, 

Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

HI, yes I know I must have it done, I will ring the hospital in the morning,I just don't want to be told any bad news ......

I know it's really hard and nerve-racking; I know I would feel just the same as you but fingers crossed it will turn out to be nothing too concerning as there are so many conditions other than bowel cancer that can be detected via the colonoscopy. Well done for ringing them tomorrow morning - it takes courage but it's so important so you can get to the bottom of what is causing your symptoms. 

Everything tightly crossed for you,

Lucie

Hi Harriett I think we have spoken before. I’m awaiting a date for a colonoscopy too. I was given one for 5 March but cancelled and another was arranged for 19 March but again I cancelled. I really wish I’d gone the first time and it would all be over now and I’d have some answers. Instead of that I’m still worrying three weeks later. Please don’t put it off - get it over and done with and you’ll probably find you have been worrying for nothing. Let me know when it’s booked for. I’m awaiting a date too and I can’t wait to get some answers. Good luck xxxx

Ignoring it will not make it go away, its nothing to worry about the worst part is the bowel cleansing, the sooner you get it done the sooner you will have the answers, and the longer you leave it the worst it will get ( thats if it is bowel cancer it could be something could be something completely innocent) 

Hope you have them rung by now. Apart from anything else, the odds are almost certainly in favour of good news and the sooner you have the colonoscopy, the sooner you can stop worrying.

I read online that people who have long waits for a colonoscopy often experience more stress, even after getting a good result than those who get a colonoscopy quickly and that certainly fits with my experience. When I was to have a colonoscopy, it was the summer that our health service here in Ireland got hacked by criminals, so everything was delayed and I had to wait about two and a half months. It was extremely stressful and unsurprisingly, it turned out to be nothing but hemorrhoids. Had I had an appointment within a couple of weeks, I wouldn't have had a summer of worry.

The same is quite likely to be true for you and even if the news is bad - something like cancer or Crohn's - I've heard some people say that the wait for the diagnosis was often the most stressful. Even a serious diagnosis means you just have to worry about one thing and say it was something like Crohn's, at least you'd know it wasn't cancer and even if it was early stage cancer, you'd know it was at least caught early, whereas before you get a diagnosis, you're thinking of everything, including the absolute worst case scenarios which are probably unlikely.

Plus, once you get a diagnosis, if you do, you'll get some information about treatment. And as Gordgrc says, if it does turn out to be one of the more serious cases - cancer or Crohn's or something like that - or even if it turns out to be a pre-cancerous polyp, the sooner you get it dealt with, the better. Heck, if it's a pre-cancerous polyp, then getting the colonoscopy quickly could mean the difference between avoiding cancer and developing it.

I know how nerve-wracking it is to get cancer related news, because there is always the chance it will be bad, but the odds of it being good news are higher.

Hi Harriet did you get your appointment? Xxx

Please keep your appointment , I had colonoscopy may23 potentially saved my life .I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer and received excellent and quick treatment 

I have now returned to my job and enjoying life again