I'm told the MDT should be discussing me today as they have my biopsies and 2 scan results.

The cancer nurse offered to call me later today with an update post- meeting.

I know lots of people say this waiting is the hardest part and it gets easier, mentally, once you have a plan. But I'm terrified what they'll tell me. Wish me luck.

James4000 hi James I wish you all the luck in the world  I was thinking maybe this is the hardest waiting to hear your results and what can be done for you as I know it will be for me. I’m still waiting for a scan but it’s still in the 2 eeek pathway  please keep us informed  lots of love  x

Thanks. Do you mean to drink?

Yes.. really helps..boil, cool and sip throughout the day 

Thanks for sharing that- going to give a try x

James4000 hi James just got appointment for next Thursday ct scan. Did they use contrast with you. Just wondered how it was  I’m nervous  x

No worries Chantetz hope it helps, another thing is peppermint CORDIAL ...mint /warmth ( hot water bottle or heat pad) and gentle massage are all good at relieving the pain of trapped wind..such a painful condition..

I've had a full body CT with contrast. The machine has more space than an MRI but the dye makes you feel like you might wee yourself. I still prefer it to the MRI. They gave me one when they thought I might have ovarian cancer which, thankfully, I didn't. It's stressful waiting for it and the results. The actual scan isn't so bad x

Afternoon

Great that you got a scan date. Yes my CT was with a dye injection. It just felt cold in my arm, but I forgot about after a minute, no real discomfort. My CT was pretty straightforward. The MRI was much longer. Neither did anything to me adversely. Just a bit stressful.

Frustratingly my PET scan today has been postponed. Apparently bi radiation available- I believe the produce it on the so it has a very short half-life, and sometimes it fails.

Back to the waiting game for a little bit. But Ive had lots of reassurance from medical professionals and of course on here. Been told a lot that there's no immediate time pressure, which helps.

Hi tangoPotter glad you have been given your appt...if you are being given contrast it should state that on the letter/email... any contrast given causes a very strange sensation  ( as though you have passed urine) there is absolutely nothing to be nervous about,  CT scan doesn't cause any pain or side effects.  The technician and nurses will reassure you every step of the way x

Ooh  might try this.

I get through half a pack of Exrrtra stone mints, several mint teas and chamomile teas, and a couple of hot water bottle refills each day and it usually does the trick.

I spoke to my GP surgery yesterday and the cancer nurses today and they said my recent discomfort isn't too unusual, especially if i am still having BMs. Likely I ate too much at once the other day and it was a bit much for the bowel all at once. Little and often is the mantra. And a couple of recommendations about a little bit of laxative (which I'm avoiding for now, but might use in future. Could be a good tool for some of us)

Hi James4000 so sorry to hear the PET scan has been postponed,  hopefully it will be rescheduled soon

Hi James4000 so sorry to hear the PET scan has been postponed,  hopefully it will be rescheduled soon

Thanks. Just heard back. Will be next Fri now, but at least close to home.

They offered one for this Saturday but miles away. Didn't want to have the drive and to wreck my weekend with family.

Now I'm doubting myself. Perhaps I should have taken the Saturday slot rather than wait another week.

Only you know the answer to this James4000.. if you're uncertain,  hive them a call see if the appts still available.. might have already been allocated to another patient.. if you have it Saturday it's done..next Friday will be here soon enough and less stress regarding location and impact on your family...

Good luck whatever you decide 

My partner's PET scans have been regularly postponed for the same reason. They normally call you back in pretty quickly.

Can I just ask does any one bleed when trying to force out a BM I was a bit scared I felt I needed to force to poo but I got a lot of proper blood it scared me a bit I feel sore there now maybe I shouldn’t force it  as any one else had this. It makes you scared to do a b m now  sorry for too much info 

Hi tangoPotter..just saw your message to James.. sorry if I'm butting in but.. 1st of all it's not TMI surely this is the place to offer and get support and advice

When anyone strains to have a B.M it can cause bleeding even for those without any colorectal issues..

It can be very alarming .. the bleeding usually stops when you stop straining or when motion is passed.. 

The vital thing is to keep motion easily passed,  through keeping well hydrated and sometimes with laxatives.. many people are prescribed laxatives by their specialist .. I have a friend with bowel cancer..she is prescribed laxatives but waits until she feels constipated and then strains to pass motion..I have tried so many times to explain that taking the meds before she gets problems is important but...

I use wipes and zinc and castor oil cream after every BM... the damage caused to the anus/sphincter can lead to fissures which are very sore and can bleed..

You need to take extra care of your bottom much the same way as we do with a baby.. nappy rash etc..

Take care xx

Eastendgirl thank you for your reply I haven’t had the blood this bad before it was alarming to see as I call it real blood   Feel a bit scared of going to toilet now  then you think is my tumour got worse probably me over thinking again  xx

I know you're scared and that can make the problem worse, if you wait/don't go to the toilet the motion will be harder to pass.. do you have a specialist nurse caring for you it is helpful to talk to her about the situation.  When a tumour is low in the bowel, motion can be trapped behind it, making it more difficult to have BM...this is the case for my friend..which is why it's so important not to become constipated ... please get it touch with the Nurse or consultant in charge of your case, they will be able to offer reassurance  x

The rectum and intestinal tract generally are very blood rich so small tears can produce a lot of volume of blood. My brother was passing a lot of blood, went to a&e, but it was a fissure and hemorhoids. What you're going through, tango, is really scary and symptoms should be reported and examined. I'm just saying that it can appear a lot worse because bleeding is so scary from there, especially when you have a tumour. I hope you find that it is a benign tumour when the biopsies come back. It's really hard what you are all going through. Though I wish you were all healthy and not going through this I'm glad you've got each others' support.

Lyns/21 thank you for your reply  I was told my tumour is a malignant one so I’m so hoping it’s treatable when every thing comes together biopsies and scans it’s all a waiting game x

Eastendgirl I don’t seem to have a nurse and I don’t know who is in charge of my case so I feel a bit in limbo at the moment. Maybe when I have the scan next week I will know who is in charge of my case I don’t have any one at the mo.  Xx