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..

.

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

.

James4000. Hi James thank you for your up date. So pleased every thing is going as planed  been thinking about you  you will get stronger every day one day at a time. You sound to be doing really well  you are so right James there is hope and like you say there are lots of amazing people in the world. Lots of healing love to you looking forward to more up dates. Xxx

Hi James, hope you can feel the love, best wishes and positive vibes coming your way..

Everyday is a step closer to recovery xx

Hi James, hope you can feel the love, best wishes and positive vibes coming your way..

Everyday is a step closer to recovery xx

Thank you. Feeling better day by day. Was in hospital 8 days. Back home now.

Eating fairly normally, but low fibre.

Managing to walk a little further each day.

Have hundreds of different meds but only taking some of them. Painkillers, blood thinning injections (ugh), and something to protect stomach/bowel lining.

Hoping for good news when theyve done histology. I think they'll give me chemo tablets in a couple of weeks to sweep up any traces possibly missed or spread.

It's a massive amount of info to absorb.

Mostly just tired, not too much pain. Bit easier each day. Im amazed really at the surgeon and team and their work, and at how relatively quickly im recovering.

As far as I understand, the tumour and all such tissue is out, but I dont want to get my hopes up completely. Still, a massive step largely complete in the journey to being cancer free and a strong chance still of total recovery.

Being back home is wonderful and terrifying at the same time, I've always found.. great to have home comforts around along which comes with the loss of security from the medical team..

The surgeon and his team are part of the journey, you, your hard work and dedication make up the the other part, they go hand in hand towards recovery.

Staying positive and realistic is vital and as you say, a massive step in your journey, well done James, you should feel proud of yourself..I am xx

Morning James.. thinking of you and sending gentle hugs xx

I was just thinking of you yesterday. I hope youre doing well. Any update on your own tests and treatments?

My update. Physically doing quite well, not too much pain now,.able to walk around few thousand steps every day.

Just had a post.op MRI today, which was stressful but ok. The hospital spoke to me recently after histology analysis was completed..they said it.was good news, that they think all.the tumour is out with clear margins. They also said they removed 82 (!!) lymph nodes, most of.wuich were fine, but 2 had some cancerous cells. So i thjnk theyll want to do another round of chemo. Great! That will delay this.whole.thing another 3 months, including the reversal surgery, so it really.upset me (even though i know on some levels, it's almost as good news as it could.be)

Mentally im a bit of a wreck. As you know, I try to stay positive, but its hard right now. My employer got bought after months/years of shenanigans, and I found out on Monday they're making me redundant (plus a few others). Its really callous and cynical, and right now it's devastating as I am very close to several work friends, and Im worried about money etc on top of everything else.

My dear James, it is so good to hear from you, I really appreciate you taking the time..

Regarding the work situation, I can only imagine the added strain and stress this has caused for you and your family...but.. I always believe things happen for a reason. You say this has been a long ongoing situation and now it's finally settled. On a positive basis..the inevitable outcome has now been reached , meaning no more worrying about when and how long before you were going to be faced with this outcome.. there is financial support available to help you, this information can be found on many forums, so please enquire about any financial support you are entitled to.

Removal of 82 L.N does sound alarming but we have an average of 600 so enough to take care of you in the future

As for the reversal being delayed for a while, again I see it as a positive step in ensuring your future wellbeing.

Well done for getting thru the MRI , I have yet to conquer my horror of the procedure and again, it's a means to an end and vital for diagnosis and prognosis for us all.

With regards to your work colleagues, in my experience, whether or not you see each other on a daily basis, in the workplace, has little impact on a good relationship. It's even more important for your mental wellbeing and health to maintain good, positive relationships.. empathy and understanding from those who have travelled the same journey can be really helpful and reassuring but...we all need a life apart from the overwhelming impact of severe health issues ( in my opinion and experience)

So good to hear from you, I'm sending huge buckets of positivity and best wishes along with a gentle hug if I may xx

Take care and be kind to yourself please, your body and mind has undergone an  unimaginable onslaught and needs peace to rest and recover x