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 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  

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

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