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

Hi how are you and your daughter ? I've got op date for 7th ! Got lots to do 2 days before to get ready for it , it's daunting not knowing what I'm facing until I wake up ! Hope you all have a good Christmas..sending lots of love xx

Hi yes all good.  Wow all happening so quickly.  It is very daunting I am feeling anxious about my daughter’s scans and surgery.  It’s major surgery I guess? I just don’t know how she will manage after surgery with looking after willow.  I will need to take time off work to help.  I worry about the stoma bag, will she cope.  She has her 5th round of chemo on the 27 December final one on the 10th January.  You have a lovely Christmas, I will be thinking of you on the 7th.  Lots of love xx

Hi I’m glad you have a date for your operation. It is all very daunting but these surgeons are amazing at what they do. I will be thinking of you on the 7th. I started chemotherapy on Thursday so that no 1 finished and have second on 2nd January. I’ve been a bit wiped out with a little tingling in fingers when touching anything cold. I hope you have a lovely Christmas. Sending lots of love xxx

Hi yeah they def are amazing just hope I get the best outcome, the tingling from chemo was prob my worst side effect , but I got used to it obvs keeping hands warm etc , hope all goes well for you too , have a lovely Christmas, I will update after my op xxx

Hi I hope your daughter is doing ok and looking forward to Christmas with her daughter and you. I am staying positive and ticking off the chemotherapy from now until February 27th. Then it will be fingers crossed a date for the surgery. My niece is a doctor so is on hand for me with answering my constant questions. I hope you have a lovely Christmas. Lots of love xx

I’m pleased you have a date for surgery as it is something to focus on. I’m six months post surgery and with a stoma. It does take some getting used to but I’m sure you’ll manage. My stoma nurses are brilliant and I know I can always ring them if I need help. The thing I have found really helpful is the Colostomy UK website which has some really good free literature. Also I have joined the Colostomy uk facebook group and everybody on it has been so helpful and supportive even if you think you have a silly question. 
I hope you have a good Christmas and I’m happy to answer any questions if it helps. Take care. 

Hi thankyou for the advise I will keep it in mind, is your stoma permanent? Im just reading about it all again! Was your cancer low in rectum ? Xx

They have said my stoma is reversible but I’ve no idea how long I will have it for. As I had a sigmoid tumour which is not so low down it was quite advanced and my operation was 5 hours. 

Oh that's good news , I just wish I knew then I can prepare but il deal with it , are you waiting to see if you are cancer free now? Not sure how that next bit works xxx

I had a follow up with both my consultant’s registrar who said my op was good. They removed all the tumour and also removed all lymph nodes near the bowel and no chancer detected in any of them so the chemo had obviously done its job. After talking to my oncologist we decided no further chemo was needed at this point. It’s a kind of limbo now waiting for first yearly checkup which I find quite scary. I’m just concentrating on trying to get my energy levels back up and I get frustrated. The best advice I was given is be kind to yourself and just do what you can. Just been out for meal with my husband so it can’t be bad. X

I had a follow up with both my consultant’s registrar who said my op was good. They removed all the tumour and also removed all lymph nodes near the bowel and no chancer detected in any of them so the chemo had obviously done its job. After talking to my oncologist we decided no further chemo was needed at this point. It’s a kind of limbo now waiting for first yearly checkup which I find quite scary. I’m just concentrating on trying to get my energy levels back up and I get frustrated. The best advice I was given is be kind to yourself and just do what you can. Just been out for meal with my husband so it can’t be bad. X