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..

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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

Thinking of you and sending special love for a speedy recovery.. remember, every day is a step closer to better health. x

Thank you, Kate.

An update for you and for anyone else on here, including those who might be earlier in their journey.

So, 6.5months after initial diagnosis, and since having chemo and lots of scans, I went in for surgery on Tuesday morning.

The care has been great, and everything has been well communicated before, during and since.

The op went very well. They have removed the tumour and nearby tissue, as well as a suspect lymph node nearby which nobody could conclude was cancerous or not. The chemo had shrunk the tumour nad moved it away enough from the resection margin. It was all very close to other nerves etc but they say they were able to remove all as planned without damaging anything else. A huge relief.

Lots of the post-op stuff might sound scary, but it has been fine. Im fortunate that my general health and fitness is good so im well prepped for recovery.

In hospital now. Will be a week or so. Lots of challenges: I have many tubes going in and out of me; didn't eat anything for 96 hours, and since then only tea, apple juice and veggie stock (i was worried about not eating but its been fine).

Im learning to appreciate small things, and little milestones that feel enormous. Today I washed myself and my hair on my own. Yesterday I walked 60metres round the corridors.

I'm not fully out the woods yet, but doing really well. Pain is very well managed, so few worries there. Mostly, everything is tiring.

I'm grateful to the various hospitals' staff, my loved ones, and the support and friendship on here.

I thought my world had fallen apart 7 months ago, but I hope my story will help others dealing with the fear and anxiety of a diagnosis. There is hope. There are amazing people in the world.

Take care, everyone. I hope to update with more progress a few days/weeks.

Much love

James, thanku so much for taking the time to reply to my message, just wanted to let you know I was thinking of you..

What a wonderful, positive attitude and so good for others to hear, when starting on the journey.

Your general health and level of fitness obviously was a good foundation and very important for anyone embarking on a similar situation..

Your positivity shines through, gaining strength and being able to maintain personal hygiene has such a huge impact on us, following a major procedure..

Walking 60 metres is a marathon, well done to you existing is exhausting in the early days of post op recovery.. sheer grit and determination along with rest and being kind to yourself  

You have made my day, thanku again for taking the time, greatly appreciated

of good wishes xx

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James, thanku so much for taking the time to reply to my message, just wanted to let you know I was thinking of you..

What a wonderful, positive attitude and so good for others to hear, when starting on the journey.

Your general health and level of fitness obviously was a good foundation and very important for anyone embarking on a similar situation..

Your positivity shines through, gaining strength and being able to maintain personal hygiene has such a huge impact on us, following a major procedure..

Walking 60 metres is a marathon, well done to you existing is exhausting in the early days of post op recovery.. sheer grit and determination along with rest and being kind to yourself  

You have made my day, thanku again for taking the time, greatly appreciated

of good wishes xx

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