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..

.

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 

Hi there, hope you're doing ok [ as well as you can]  had to resort to hospital transport for my ultrasound next week, no option.. I will be collected anytime after 8 am [ appt 11.30]  with no idea of when I will be back home... my M.E and osteoarthritis don't cope well with the noise/lights and lack of supportive seating but...I had to decline 2 appts due to the time and distance offered.  So last offer from NHS ..3 strikes and you're removed from waiting list..

Take care 

Thank you.

I try to stay positive, and generally manage that. The last couple of days since the weekend though, I've been pretty low. Maybe I've moved to through the phase of getting used to treatment to being fed up with it, and also apprehensive about what's next, and the extent to which the treatment is working.

One day at a time, I guess.

How  have you been getting on with your scans? I hope all going OK and they've managed to find a way to make it all work for you. 

Thanku James, had my CT last week,  GP 2moro and Ultrasound next week... hoping for some answers either from the colorectal [CT following colonoscopy/biopsies]  or the mass at the top of my arm [ Ultrasound]... seeing GP to update him on my symptoms   pain is overwhelming...

I can only imagine your emotions at this time, it is part of the journey I understand from my cousin who is beginning radiotherapy in a couple of weeks.. 6 months of chemo followed by surgery and preparing for the next stage..

I'm sending positive vibes and very gentle hugs   to you and your family x

Hi James, just wanted to let you know I am thinking of you and hoping life is being kind to you  

Take care 

Kate

Hi Kate

Thinking of you too.

I'm doing really well, touch wood. I think the cumulative effect of chemo was evident for me in round 5 of 6. I've seen others mention this can happen. But to reassure anyone reading this, in my case at least, it still hasn't been too bad. I work full time and whilst I've had ti more of it from home, and im running at maybe 85% of my normal hours across any given fortnight, im still working. Main thin for me has been chemo side effects, roughly in order: fatigue and lethargy, headache, queasiness (but never actually feeling like id actually be sick), cold sensitivity. So, all in all, it's been a different kind of feeling unwell but not as bad as, say, flu.

One more round to go. Oncologists are confident. I have scans booked in a week or so, then on to next steps. Daunting but also quietly optimistic.

How are you doing, Kate? I hope they have some encouraging news for you from the CT, Ultrasound and biopsies, and soon come up with a treatment plan.

Morning James   so good to hear you are maintaining your positive mindset, invaluable ( in my opinion)  for anyone undergoing and experiencing health issues.. I'm a great believer in ' mind over matter' .. digging deep, finding our mental strength to take control and cope with the physical impact on our body...has stood me in great stead throughout my life, well done to you James

My CT scan results showed cysts on liver and kidney...watch and wait will be seen by my colorectal consultant, meanwhile symptoms remain the same...

Had my ultrasound on Tues now the referral will be implemented to Orthopedic consultant in regards to the mass at the top of my arm..

Saw GP 10 days ago as a follow up to my appt in March re bone pain. FBC and specific bloods taken along with urine protein test for light chains, he is concerned about ( possible) Myeloma... 

Bloods returned Vit D deficiency, so 4 month scrip Cholecalciferol then repeat unsurprised as I've been homebound since 2019 my ME causes severe light/heat sensitivity along with the physical imp t.. I had hoped the lack of daylight and sunshine would be supplemented by the past 40 years of from Aus and the Caribbean Islands but obviously not  I've used it all up

So, we soldier on my friend it is so good to hear from you and I hope that others reading your positive comments will take heart and strength 

Take care James, sending very best wishes xx

Thinking of you and sending

Thinking of you and sending

Hi Eastendgirl . I hope you've had more updates after your appointments a couple of weeks back and they have a plan coming together? How is it going.

 tangoPotter  how is your recovery going?

So, I've just finished various appointments. Whilst I am of course very daunted by next steps, I've had broadly encouraging news, so thank you all for your support.

After speaking to various medical professionals, I eventually got a clear picture. The 6 rounds of chemo I had have had a decent impact and reduced the tumour size, cleared it away from the resection margin, cleared out a bit of Emvi (where the tumour had just started getting into/through the bowel wall, and reduced the size of a nearby lymph node (which nobody can say for sure is affected or just reactive). So after initially being told id go on a standard path of radiotherapy, I'm now being advised to go straight to surgery in a bit under 3 weeks.

So, I understand it's good news, and maybe in a month they could confirm the tumour etc all gone. But I'm really nervous about the surgery, even though the surgeon has said thr various risks are all quite low percentages and usually treatable.

Im just hoping the surgery goes smoothly and I don't get any life changing adverse effects from it. Wish me luck!

Hi James, really good to hear from you and I am taking the positives from the advice and information you have been given from your Team.

The chemo ( although difficult) has achieved the results they hoped for..

It's natural to be concerned about any surgery and I always put my trust in those caring for me...

No life changing adverse effects for you, only positive and the road to recovery and healing is my wish for you  

Trust in those caring for you, be kind to yourself and concentrate on the better days ahead xx

Hi James. So good to hear from you. I was wondering how you was getting on  every thing you have been told sounds so positive to me   I can understand you feeling nervous about the surgery but you will be in good hands you just have to leave yourself in there care   Every thing sounds so positive James and I’m so happy for you things are all going in the right direction   I’m doing really well after my operation things really getting back to normal having the tumour out and having a resection to me was the best thing to happen I’m feeling really well and b m are nearly back to normal  I feel so happy to have this second chance of life and to feel normal again  I see my surgeon next Tuesday just a follow up and maybe a run down on what type of tumour this was  I’m under this five year thing where they keep an eye on you have blood tests every six month and a c t scan every eighteen month for the next five year  just hope no colonoscopy but if I have to then so be it. My thoughts James are constantly with you. Keep strong your nearly there   Lots of love to you x

Thanks Kate.

Trying to stay positive.

And rooting for you! Hope you have your plan soon.

So good to read this, Geri. You are an inspiration and cause for hope. I am really apprehensive about surgery but trying to stay positive and hopeful. All being well I'll be in a great place in a few weeks time, albeit I will need a second surgery a few months later.

So long as it gets the cancer out and I have no major life changing effects, ill be happy. Like you say, it's a new lease of life.

Thanku James I really appreciate your support, I will be thinking of you and looking forward to better days ahead for you x

So, my surgery is tomorrow. Im trying to be positive and am grateful I have an excellent surgeon and medical team. But im incredibly anxious.

I just need it to go smoothly, get the tumour out with the resection, and not get any complications or other damage from surgery. The chances are very good, but im still nervous.

Any good news success stories would be great to hear right now.

James, if you weren't anxious, I would be surprised. It's very normal and understandable as you face tomorrow and place your trust in those caring for you. They have knowledge, experience and are personally invested in your future health.. 

The advice I would share with you, in that I have offered to many others...

Tomorrow you relax, take your mind to special memories of people and places and concentrate on those.. it has stood me in good stead for the past 60 years.. having undergone multiple complex surgeries.. if we let our minds stray and concentrate on our worries, it depletes our power and energy to the road to recovery, which will be difficult and possibly lengthy.. but better achieved with a positive attitude..

My motto in these situations is... Don't let the b*****s get you down

From the moment of hospital admission, I 'mentally' hand over to the team.. trust in them and keep my mind on recovery..

You got this my friend..will be thinking of you and sending positive vibes xx

Thank you, so much. You have been so kind throughout this journey.

That sounds like excellent advice and I will try to adhere to it. I find it very difficult to "switch off" from things, and i tend to be an over thinker, so to speak. But I will try.

It's not about switching off, it's about focusing on your thoughts..YOU are in control of your brain and now the time for you to dig deep...not saying it's easy but I have found it invaluable and I hope it is for you James...mind over matter is one of my favourite sayings..

So tomorrow.. concentrate on a special time.. maybe a holiday, birth of a child, a magical place you have never forgotten... You will find your mind wandering, taking you to places and thoughts that are neither useful or helpful...this is referred to as the 'hook' time for you to consciously  take control and bring back your thoughts...

Over many years I have perfected this and am now able to take myself to a specific/ chosen memory , I wish the same for you