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 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

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.

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  

Thanku for your kind words James

Try and remember that each day after tomorrow is a day towards recovery, hard days that can feel overwhelming and neverending but..it gets better, I promise you.. just focus on one day at a time and in a few days that become weeks you will look back and see how far you have come, how much progress you have made.. believe in yourself, I do x

Hi James. I will be thinking about you tomorrow I know it’s easy to say try not to worry  when I went for surgery I remember that morning when I got to the hospital I felt so calm as I was thinking today is the day I get rid of this cancer  and a start to getting my life back  just let the staff take care of you. Your in there care they will do what ever needs to be done  you will be safe.  I’m really well now James I have never felt as healthy as I do now  I’m not going to say good luck for tomorrow because you will be fine my friend  my thoughts will be with you. I’m so excited for you to be a start in getting your life back. Lots of love. Xx

Thank you both.

And thanks to everyone on these forums, who have collectively been a huge support to me and im sure to many others. I hope my own contributions have helped others in some small way.

Im so glad youre doing well, tangoPotter . I'm thrilled to hear you're feeling so healthy, first and foremost for your sake. Selfishly, it also helps me knowing people like yourself whi have come out the other side of similar procedures to mine, doing so well.

I'm nervous about the risks, albeit small, such as leaking, or damage to other organs and functions nearby. I guess I have ti try to stay positive and rely on thise risks being small.

However, I'll take the advice you have both shared and others in my life too, to trust in those caring for me.

I also cannot yet process the idea of a stoma, and am clinging on to it being a temporary thing, which it likely will be. It just seems such an alien idea to me, but I know people have them and do absolutely fine. I'll get there, but that is another bridge to cross.

Me again James... re: possibility of a Stoma, you may or maybe not have a Stoma whether temporary or permanent. This can only be decided during the surgery and by the findings and procedure necessary at the time. My 77 year old neighbour has had a Stoma for 19 years following bowel cancer. He cycles every day, walks, is a keen gardener ,swims and travels widely.. he acknowledges and appreciates his life with a Stoma as opposed to letting it be a negative impact.. if I sound blase and insensitive, I can assure you, I am not, I am stoic and strong and I hope I can pass some of it on to you xx

Thanks. I love hearing these success stories. Probably the thing above all that keeps me calmer and positive.

I am told I will definitely have a stoma (i think due to location of the tumour) but it will most likely be temporary.

I will get used to the stoma, but cannot comprehend it yet. Knowing of people like your friend who can do everything with one is hugely reassuring for me. I was even told recently by the stoma nurse that you can play rugby with one! (I dont play it as such but do coach it).

Getting back to being active, working, driving, playing and coaching sport are all big targets for me. Im a pretty optimistic person, but obviously this whole situation leads to being up and down. But im generally fitter than most people my age (and younger), had strong results on the CPET test 2 weeks ago (checks lungs, heart, pulse, aerobic etc), so lots of good indicators i should be able to recover well. Hopefully my biggest issue will be that I won't want to rest enough! 

Just taken first bowel prep meds, so the fun and games begin soon.

That is a wonderful, positive attitude and you are starting from a good place in respect to the pre-op tests and fitness.

In regards to rest, it is vital to listen to your body during the recovery period. Was thinking about a guy I met several years ago.. spent a few weeks with him and his wife on holiday.. permanent Stoma since 31 he was such an inspiration, his positivity shone like a beacon.. 19 years ago and we keep in touch, he is fit and enjoying life.. training and showing sledge dogs across the globe  

As for the prep... drinking plenty of water afterwards really helps ..

Thinking of you James xx

James the bowel prep I had was brilliant it was called citra fleet it worked within half an hour of taking it I was still going when I got to the hospital I told the nurse I was still going she said it was ok  bowel prep was easier than for a colonoscopy  it was only one mug  and next morning the second one the same  nicer tasting as well   You will recover well James I had all the heart tests and things to see if I was fit enough and luckily I was  I’m 71 years old and I was thinking maybe they wouldn’t do the op but I was fit enough for it   You will know when your body is fit enough to do things  don’t rush things listen to your body. Xx