Hi Beaumont44, 

I just wanted to say we are thinking of you during this stressful time. I guess the MDT meeting was today and I hope that you get an appointment soon to find out exactly what is going on. It's completely normal to be scared when dealing with all this uncertainty at the moment and after having been through all these tests. 

Let us know what you find out - you are not alone though and many members of our community have been through this before and will hopefully come and say hello soon and share their stories with you. While you are waiting, as there is nothing harder than waiting for a diagnosis, I thought I would share with you our helpful tips to help you cope while waiting for news. 

Best wishes, 

Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

Thankyou for your response , nothing today but hoping a phonecall in the morning x

Ooh, sorry, I just realised one needs to page along. It is nice to see you two have been chatting all these months, Beaumont and Nannynic. 

It just won't go away, will it? Such helplessness. Very frustrating. Hugs.

I'm feeling quite positive that it will go away..well after surgery, sending hugs too x

Hi my daughter had her 3rd round of chemo Wednesday that have reduced the fuse and she is better this time round.  I am currently away in Marrakesh xx

Of course it will. Sorry. It just seems to take such a long time. Thanks for the hugs (I am not biopsied yet and I think at worst it will be pre-cancerous), appreciated x

My daughter has coped better this  time.  I am away flew to Marrakesh Wednesday with the girls xx

So glad to hear it , you have a well deserved chill and we will catch up when you're back xx

I could do with some Marrakeshness, but I haven't been well enough to travel for years. Nothing to do with cancer. There are lots of other horrible things around too (and they do not go away), but cancer (or cancer-scare) brings its own, unique and intense pressure. You seem to be coasting well, Beaumont. Nice to see. I hope it feels the same inside.

Coasting well now. Clearly you were not coasting well at the beginning. Quite a journey. 

Hi everyone, I’ve been reading through all of your posts and the help and advice you are giving each other is invaluable. I was diagnosed with bowel cancer at the sigmoid rectal area six weeks ago. I also have a tiny 16mm spot on my liver from the bowel tumour. I have had many scans and a PET scan. I have seen two oncologists recently and at first the wanted to start me on three drug chemotherapy but after reconsidering my other health conditions they are reducing it to two. Because of the high risk of blood clots they are hoping I can manage two drugs in the chemotherapy. I am due to start chemotherapy on Thursday but waiting to have a picc line fitted in my arm for the chemotherapy infusions that I will have started at hospital and then I can go home and it will run through over 48hrs, the district nurse will then come and disconnect it. I have to have three months every 2weeks with 12 days break in between. It is all still very unreal to me but I know staying positive and practicing meditation and positive affirmations is really helping me. I hope I can join your chat and have someone to talk too when I have any questions or just need to talk. Thank you xx

Hi Willow6

i am further along on my journey than you. I had a sigmoid tumour removed in June. I’d previously had chemo. I had 3 drugs as I was put on a trial and I have to say it was exhausting so I’m sure your Oncologist is advising for the best. It is all very overwhelming is t it. I just had to keep telling myself that I was in good hands. I had significant surgery and I now have a stomach which they say will be reversed at some point. The best advice I’ve been given is be kind to yourself. I’m happy to chat and give you support at any time. Stay strong, you can do this. Sending love c

Hi Willow6

i am further along on my journey than you. I had a sigmoid tumour removed in June. I’d previously had chemo. I had 3 drugs as I was put on a trial and I have to say it was exhausting so I’m sure your Oncologist is advising for the best. It is all very overwhelming is t it. I just had to keep telling myself that I was in good hands. I had significant surgery and I now have a stomach which they say will be reversed at some point. The best advice I’ve been given is be kind to yourself. I’m happy to chat and give you support at any time. Stay strong, you can do this. Sending love c

Thank you Beverley39,

I will have to have two different surgeries after the chemotherapy. They will hopefully be able to remove the tumour in the bowel if it has reduced in size enough. The oncologist said that if not they would give me five 10 min doses of radiotherapy and then surgery. My surgeon has told me it will be keyhole surgery but not how long it will take or what happens afterwards. I will then have to recover from the surgery and then go to a hospital in Edinburgh to the liver specialists were they will respect the liver with more keyhole surgery. I’ve been told of two other side effects of the chemotherapy that I need to be careful with. I have to wrap up really well covering my nose and mouth when going out walking. I also have to stay away from the fridge and freezer for the duration of chemotherapy. He said it can cause peripheral neuropathy which can stay with you even after chemotherapy. Also to stay warm in the house and not to drink cold drinks from the fridge. Everything has to be at room temperature as it can cause a choking sensation in your throat that is quite scary. So with all this information and being a high risk of blood clots I think it’s going to be a rough three months. I have four brain aneurysms which one of them has been coiled. They are all stable and I do not need to have my next brain mri until 2026. I also have had atrial fibrillation since 2012 which is treated with the lowest dose of bisoprolol. I think if I keep taking care of my body physically and keep doing my meditation and positive affirmations for my mental health then this will get me through my treatments and see off this evil presence that decided to enter my body. I hope you are doing ok and are feeling better since your chemotherapy and surgery.

Take care xx

You can still talk to me (and the others) of course. 

I hope this place is of help to you. 

Eternal Love

Anne

Bless you, Beverley. 

It certainly is overwhelming. My nephew nearly died as a baby and had to have a bag for a while, as a tiny baby. I cannot tell you what his mum and dad (my Brother) went through. He was rushed down to London in the end, nearly dead, though it was not cancer. 

It is reversed. Wishing you well. Holy Church is constantly praying for the sick.., especially since Friday (heartbreaking).

God bless you sweetheart. 

Hi Beverly 39, how are you? I am having a picc line fitted in my arm tomorrow morning. I will finally start chemotherapy next Thursday 19th December just in time for Christmas. I know it will be difficult at times but I will stay as fit as I can and eat as healthy as possible. The worst thing is the weather scotland is always really cold in winter but I will just have to wrap up warm for my walks. Where are you now with your treatment? Take care.

Willow6 xx

Hi Willow6 it’s nice to hear from you. I’m pleased you have a date to start your chemo. I had a picc line inserted for my chemo and it wasn’t too bad. I think I felt better once the treatment started. You’re absolutely right to eat as well as you can and also get as many calories in you as possible. I found drinking lots of fluids helped me through chemo and fortunately I didn’t have any sickness just some numb fingers and toes which doesn’t help when it’s cold. 
im sort of in limbo now. I’ve had a couple more scans but they are to do with my kidney function after having a stent out. I just assume I will be called back re the cancer after a year. There’s not a great deal of after care/infromation information in this area but if found my stomach nurses really helpful. 
I hope your treatment goes well next week and you manage to have a peaceful Christmas. Stay in touch, I’ll be thinking of you. Take care 

Beverley39

Hi Beaumont44, I just wanted to say that I am so happy for you that all your results are positive. It makes me feel stronger going into start my chemotherapy next Thursday for 3 months. I’m terrified but will remain positive and as strong as I can be. I am having a picc line fitted tomorrow so things are finally moving now it’s been one step forward and five steps back for me which has been very frustrating. I hope your chemotherapy hasn’t been too bad with side effects. 
best wishes

Willow6

Hi there thankyou , hospital just rang with appt to see doctor on Monday it's all very quick , it's a good thing tho , i hope your chemo goes OK I didn't have too many bad times my hands and not drinking cold drinks was prob the worst for me ! And tired but not too bad, you can only try stay positive..sending lots of love xx

Thank you, it’s good to know what side effects people have had.  I hope you have your operation quickly. My oncologist said that once chemotherapy finished and if tumour has shrunk enough to be removed it would be done quickly. I am only having two drugs with chemo they decided to reduce it from three because of blood clot side effects. I am high risk with having brain aneurysms and atrial fibrillation.
I really appreciate you replying to my post thank you.

Willow6 xx

Hi my daughter is having chemo for colorectal cancer stage 3, she is 26 with a little girl of 3.  She today had round 4 of chemo with 3 more to go.  They started her in 3 doses but was way too strong and she struggled.  They have now reduced this to just 2 doses.  She had a break for 2 weeks as she was not in a good place physically or mentally.  She is now back fighting.  She has a date for her scans 20th January, I just hope the tumour has shrunk enough for her to have surgery.  I hope it goes ok for you.  Take care xx

Thank you, I hope your daughter gets good news in January at her appointment as to having her surgery. I think I will be the same when chemotherapy is finished, that you just want this awful disease out of your body. I am starting to stress about starting the chemotherapy on Thursday morning. I am staying positive and will keep up with my meditations and affirmations. Please give my best wishes to your daughter.

Annemarie xx