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

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