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

If you have a good GP it's great to keep them on board throughout care if it's cancer because having a medical advocate is priceless. It can feel like too many cooks but being able to discuss things outwith consultant's immediate teams can help you feel more heard, they can be a sounding board for what you need to say during appointments with the consultant and if you have questions before you're assigned a Macmillan nurse they can liaise with the hospital. Increased bleeding should definitely be discussed, you could become anaemic etc. any change in symptoms needs to be reported even if the professionals just reassure you it's worth them knowing. I would never replace a doctor's advice with anything said online but you can get supplementary info about what other people experience to help gauge what you might have to expect and how to handle living with conditions.

Every time my partner engages with any of the medical professionals caring for him they ask about anything new and ongoing. It isn't worth carrying it alone.

I agree with you IF you are fortunate enough to have a good G.P practice...

Unfortunately the experience of 2 family members,  in different parts of the UK,  both with different cancer... have received neither care or support from their individual practice.. seems to be far more a case of.. you've been referred,  had a diagnosis,  treatment plan and now it's up to the MDT who has specialist knowledge of your case and cancer...

I sincerely hope this in not the case for anyone here who needs and deserves the reassurance from the G.P 

Hi Tango

A couple of thoughts:

1. Totally agree with others. Always worth asking the cancer nurse or your GP. I've called mine loads of times. Might be worth contacting your hospital and trying to get a number for the cancer nursing team (if they have a similar set up to my hospital)

2. I had 3 days of a lot of blood a week or so ago, but it's settled down again. Was very scary but it passed. I think maybe it's not too unusual and others have had that experience here too, it seems. But definitely do ask a medical professional.

3. There is also the option to ask a cancer nurse on this website we're all on. Here's the link to that section of the site:

 Ask the nurses 

They also have a number you can call 0808 8004040. Though of course they won't know all the specifics of your case.

4. Hoping the extra blood is just a temporary thing. I think your GP can also look at any recent blood tests or arrange one and check things like your iron levels. I was (am?) anaemic, so am taking iron tablets. I think it's due to blood loss. I have more energy after 2 or 3 weeks of the tablets.

Take care. X

James4000 great advice and support as always

James4000 I think the extra blood was because I was straining to do a BM I couldn’t pass  but eventually I did bleeding stopped  I know in future no straining  it was a bit scary  mainly because with these kind of tumours you don’t know what to expect  as like all of us this kind of thing is new to us   I had all my blood tests at the onset of this problem and they took five tests for different things and all came back normal  full blood count was normal you would have thought with this been cancer there would have been some markers to show if any thing was there. But I understand blood tests only show certain cancers like breast cancer and blood cancer  xx

James4000 hi James how are you doing. Just want to know  what I’m finding is if I eat a bit more I seem to bleed more wondered if you are the same  it’s a bit scary more proper bleeding with wind and feeling the need for BM  if I don’t eat much or have a liquid diet the bleeding isn’t so bad  I just had dinner today and I had a lot of as I call it real blood would you think this is normal for us

I'm doing OK. I don't know if it's getting used to different sensations or if anything has changed. I'm eating well but cautiously and avoiding fibre, making sure I don't get bloated etc. I'm usually OK and can pass bm and wind.

I pass a little blood here and there. Had loads for 3 days a couple of weeks ago, which was scary, like you say. I've been told that it's normal for the bowel inside to get cut a little and it can bleed a lot. I believe (but please ask a medical professional) we need to do the following. This is a mix of advice I've received and things which work for me, so take all with a pinch of salt please:

Not strain too much for bms; eat low fibre (do you have a list for this?); eat little and often rather than 3 big meals; I also tend to elevate my feet for BMs- always have a footstool in the loo, which I think opens up the back passage more; hot water bottle on the tummy/abdomen when feeling cramps/bloating

Also consider a stool softener - I haven't done this yet as I'm trying to limit medication and haven't quite needed it, but I'll biy some, just in case.

Hope some if this helps for you. Definitely do call an expert about the blood, to be on the safe side. Hopefully it'll clear up for you in terms of large blood amounts.

Take care x

James4000 thank you for your advise  it all makes sense  I didn’t know the bowel gets a bit cut. You always think you’re going to bleed to death. Well I do  but like I said if I eat a little more I seem to bleed more if I hardly eat I’m not too bad  xx

Hi, sorry to butt in but just wanted to say ️ for such great advice...

When having BM feet on footstool, knees apart, leaning forward really helps, a smear of Vaseline applied can also help prevent fissures/soreness and external haemorrhoids...if you don't want to take a stool softener.. I also use zinc and castor oil cream after every BM to help prevent fissures and soreness.. I find alcohol free wipes more gentle than toilet tissue now.

Small meals, little and often are also helpful 

Lots of wind, multiple  BM, cramps, feeling as though I need to have a BM most of the time, low down abdo pain [period-like].. low back ache..so no change here...

Eastendgi bless you  I know what you mean some times mine feels like a dull period ache and some of the different bleeding reminded me of my period days which was a long time ago lol  this type of thing makes you feel a bit down with constant changes in blood and B M I do try and not let it get to me but it does  fed up of all this really  xx

Eastendgi bless you  I know what you mean some times mine feels like a dull period ache and some of the different bleeding reminded me of my period days which was a long time ago lol  this type of thing makes you feel a bit down with constant changes in blood and B M I do try and not let it get to me but it does  fed up of all this really  xx

Sending love and gentle

Total hysterectomy 45 years ago but I still remember the period pains

Take care  xx