May I ask what peoples symptoms were before having a colonoscopy in terms of pain or bleeding or anything else? Was your bleeding small or large amounts? I’m having large amounts of bright red blood. It’s not just when I wipe it turns the whole toilet bowl water bright red and sometimes there’s blood clots. Pain is severe in my back passage too like a burning stinging and that’s not when I go to the toilet that’s just all of the time. If anything when I go to the toilet I get a relief from pain afterwards for a short time but then it returns. Ive also been anaemic for a while. I’m only in my 30s so GP has been sending me away for quite a few months despite me going back over and over again but I’ve finally been referred for a colonoscopy and waiting for an appointment now. Thank you 

Hi Daisy,  hopefully you won't have too long to wait for the colonoscopy now you have finally been referred..

A small amount of blood in the toilet bowl can look very alarming being bright red means it's fresh and not old [ dark coloured] blood. Haemorrhoids can be internal and external and capable of producing blood when having a BM...hopefully you will get some answers after the procedure. 

For me it was a marked change in my bowel habits, accompanied by distended stomach, low down period-type pains  [ hysterectomy 45 years ago]  sensation of needing to pass motion even after a BM. Five positive qFIT results and referred to Colorectal Consultant. Appointment for colonoscopy last June which had to be cancelled.. follow up appt missed until Nov colonoscopy 17th Dec 24 ...20 week waiting list for results.  There has been no change,  multiple BM,  pain, loss of appetite,  blood ( not all the time) the feeling of needing to have a BM.. seven times since 10 am..now 4.15 p.m

Thinking of you..

.

Good to see you back here Geri  thanku for your kind words

Hi James... thinking of you and sending gentle hugs  x

Hi all

Sorry I've been quiet last week or so.

Great to see you back on here, Geri. How are you feeling? How the post-op recovery is going well.

I'm feeling fighting fit now. Had maybe 3 days of feeling rubbish from chemo but only minor side effects now. Enjoying a a few days of this before round 4 next midweek.

So I've mostly been quiet here as I've had the energy and oomph to get on with a few other things. Still need to check myself as I tend to try to run around at 100% with work, family, voluntary stuff and hobbies, and then exhaust myself.

Hopefully now just the ups and downs of 6 more weeks or so of chemo, then keeping everything crossed for good news on next tranche of scans after that. Plan is still almost certainly daily radio next, but I'm not supposed to focus on that.

Hi James so good to hear from you and never apologise,  just wanted to check you were doing ok.. taking each day as it comes is vital for physical and mental wellbeing.. not concentrating on what's to come, instead dealing with today...on that note I'm gonna nag [ gently] about pacing yourself.. I completely understand  [ I'm guilty] of making the most of 'better days'  but you are gonna need to be strong for the radiotherapy... daily for 5 weeks [ in many cases]  takes it's toll.. so please take care of yourself x 

James..I'm thinking of you and sending very gentle hugs x

Thank you so much. Thinking of you too. Did they give you a date for tests yet?

I'm on the pump now for chemo round 4. Dose back up to 90%. My neutrophils have responded well to the injections and are back up I'm the normal range.

Physically I've actually felt great for the past week. The best I've felt in many months, which I take as being the treatment working and the tumour shrinking. Lots of positive signs, and my oncologist agrees.

Will gradually go downhill over the next 3 or 4 days, but hopefully no severe side effects and then back to feeling good, with the chemo working it's magic. Keeping everything crossed.

James you have made my day ️ really appreciate your update and hopefully the next days will be kind to you.

I have my CT next week,  the referral after my colonoscopy in December,  so hopefully we will get some answers...

Still waiting for the ultrasound for the mass at the top of my arm. 28 week list, I have an appt with the G.P to discuss the symptoms,  I was referred 4th March, so still a way to go..

Keeping everything crossed for you and sending positive vibes x

So glad to hear you have the scan upcoming. I'm sorry you've had to wait so long.

Hoping and praying the CT finds good news, something mild and fully treatable.

Take care x

Thanku J xx

Afternoon all

 tangoPotter  how are you feeling? I hope the post-op recovery continues to go well and you're gradually able to do more and more of your normal routine.

 Eastendgirl I hope the scan goes well this week and delivers good news.

 Janjan did you have your colonoscopy? I hope it wasn't too traumatic and that you get encouraging news.

 FishCalledFluffy how has your journey been going? I hope tests have been helping. I really appreciated your kind words about my posts a few weeks ago.

Sorry if I've missed anyone. Please do jump in.

Quick update my side. 4th round of chemo done, back up to 90% dose. Bloods have (touch wood) been strong since taking the injections post-chemo. I find day 3 and 4 are hard, after steroids wear off. Very tired at the weekend. Bit grotty and lethargic. But today is day 5 and I'm more or less OK again. Just a bit headachy and flat.

Had my neck/throat scanned again today (minor thing, hopefully, that showed up on earlier scans). All seems OK enough and no lymphatic too big etc, so I'm hoping not to be juggling two issues, which is a relief. They'll rescan in 3m just in case.

Have a lovely week, lovely people.

Afternoon all

 tangoPotter  how are you feeling? I hope the post-op recovery continues to go well and you're gradually able to do more and more of your normal routine.

 Eastendgirl I hope the scan goes well this week and delivers good news.

 Janjan did you have your colonoscopy? I hope it wasn't too traumatic and that you get encouraging news.

 FishCalledFluffy how has your journey been going? I hope tests have been helping. I really appreciated your kind words about my posts a few weeks ago.

Sorry if I've missed anyone. Please do jump in.

Quick update my side. 4th round of chemo done, back up to 90% dose. Bloods have (touch wood) been strong since taking the injections post-chemo. I find day 3 and 4 are hard, after steroids wear off. Very tired at the weekend. Bit grotty and lethargic. But today is day 5 and I'm more or less OK again. Just a bit headachy and flat.

Had my neck/throat scanned again today (minor thing, hopefully, that showed up on earlier scans). All seems OK enough and no lymphatic too big etc, so I'm hoping not to be juggling two issues, which is a relief. They'll rescan in 3m just in case.

Have a lovely week, lovely people.

Hi James really good to hear from you and keeping  today's scan brings good news for you. My cuz and sista had the same issue of day 3&4 being rubbish post chemo, it's a lot for a body to contend with. Positive outcome is the goal for everyone undergoing treatment . Be glad  to get CT done 2moro I don't cope well with the contrast but it needs 2b done..

I contacted referral dept this morning with regards to the Ultrasound my G.P requested 4th March.  It was noted I wasn't able to attend a hospital outside of my area.. today I'm told an appt has been made for later this month in Airdrie at 9 a.m I  politely explained that due to mobility/health issues I am unable to attend.. then told it is not possible to request an area health board and if I refuse the next appt I will be removed from the list.. I have a G.P consultation next week and am hoping this can be sorted out.. feeling desperate and concerned..

Have the best week possible,  Kate xx

Hi James 4000

Hi everyone 

I am well Thank you although still waiting on date for colonoscopy even though urgent 

getting bit anxious as I have been using Google 

i live within Ayrshire and Arran and it will be 8 weeks next Tuesday since I had a telephone assessment with a colorectal surgeon 

Thank you 

Jan 

Hi Jan, if it's any reassurance I saw my Colorectal consultant in April 24 and didn't receive an appt til 6th June,  I'm in South Lanarkshire.. as it happened it had to be postponed and wasn't done till 17th Dec 24

CT scan 2moro as further investigation needed..

Hopefully you won't have too much longer to wait. 

Thinking of you,    Kate

Glad to hear your treatment is going well James 

Hi Kate

Sorry to hear that..sounds stressful.

Could your GP weigh in with some influence? Would there be someone around who could help you travel as a one off? I'd love to help but am hundreds of miles away.

J

Eastend girl

Hi i just thought I'd pop on to say good luck with evertything, and that have you thought of trying to get hospital transport to your appointment as its too far away for you . I had hospital transport when my radiotherapy appointments were in a hospital that was to far for ne to get there on ny own. I qualified as a cancer patient to be able to get hospital transport arranged for 5 days a week for three weeks,as my local hospital didn't do radiotherapy there . Its worth enquiring about,talk to your hospital or doctor, they should be able to help, give you a telephone number etc,for hospital transport. I do hope you can get help. 

James 4000 hi James I’m doing really well and stronger every day nice to get some normality in my life  I’m feeling more like my old self before all this  I’m still a little sore across my pelvis  he did key hole but the tumour was quite big so had to remove the tumour with a larger incision  but I’m so thank full he got it all  the tumour size was 21 cm  so happy things are going well for you James I’m always thinking about you  please always keep us posted   Lots of love to you.  Geri x 

Hi thanku so much for your reply and advice, much appreciated Jassoscared.. we have hospital transport here in South Lanarkshire very limited and time restricted.  I have osteoarthritis which affects my ability to travel due to pain. I also have M.E which causes light and noise sensitivity making any hospital appointment stressful. .. I use a very good company for hospital appts but this is outside of their area and 9 am is impossible for me..the overwhelming exhaustion means it takes a couple of hours to be functioning after disturbed sleep.. I really appreciate your advice, thanku

James thanku so much for your special offer, your care and support is greatly appreciated  I use a driver/assistance company for hospital appointments who are wonderful.  The added problem in this case is the journey to  Airdrie,  although only 15 miles away, can take an hour due to traffic,  causing me severe pain.  When the referral was made I was asked if I would be willing to travel and explained the situation,  it was noted that I was only able to accept my local hospital  [ 15 minutes away] I  have an appointment with my GP next week and ask his advice.. thanku James x

Have the best day possible,  I am thinking of you x 

Hi James,  wanted you to know I'm thinking of you x