James4000... so good to hear from you, I can understand how disappointed and frustrated you must be feeling with yet another delay but.. nothing to be done but staying positive..not easy but essenti for the journey ahead the impact on the immune system is expected unfortunately,  the effects of a cocktail of chemicals on your body takes it's toll. Really positive to hear B.M are easier and m going with you..the 1st round of chemo has begun it's work  Our mind is so strong .. staying clear of the negative thoughts [ never said it is easy]  but really essential.. finding a positive in every day.. however small.. for me it's the birdsong,  the bus ess of nest building going on in the hedgerow,  buds opening,  bulbs emerging from the warming soil.. I put the snow shovels away yesterday.. THAT'S positive,  living in Scotland

Take care James, sending gentle hugs  x

James4000 lovely to hear from you James  I can understand how frustrated you must be feeling.  I’m still waiting for a date for my operation just worried my tumour might be getting bigger while I’m waiting  I keep going for different tests had my heart scanned on Monday to see if I was ok for the op took an hour to do ultrasound on my heart  then rigged up to E C G  we will get there James in the end then we will be well again. My thoughts are with you  keep us posted as we care  xx

Afternoon all

So after 2 delays, it's 3rd time lucky. Having my second round of chemo now.

Hopefully my case will reassure some who may be approaching chemo yourselves. Basically I've felt ok, but my blood/immune system took a bit of a battering. There are 4 main blood readings they're tracking (don't know if that's the case for all treatments). My neutrophils dropped lower each week, but yesterday they had hugely bounced back into the normal range and we'll above thr minimum. So I've having 2nd chemo now.

Hopefully side effects will be minor, like last time. All was fine except I got a high temp the first time round, but it soon dropped and the barage of tests came back OK.

Fingers crossed, another step today towards recovery and cure.

How is everyone else doing? Do you have dates for treatments and ops yet?

J x

Hi J how wonderful to hear from you.. obviously been on my mind and I have been that you would be getting your next round of chemo the delays must feel so frustrating but..you got there, hoping any side effects will be minor and shirt lived...

I'm still waiting for my CT which is on an 8 week wait for urgent referral  [4 March] also for an Ultrasound for an unrelated symptom,  also 8 week wait.. ♀️ ♀️

Stay strong and positive James4000,  sending gentle hugs x

James4000 hi James I’m so pleased things are finally going in the right direction for you and of course we have been thinking about you   My surgeon is happy with all my tests the nurse phoned me today to say he getting back to me with a date for my operation she said things will soon start to happen quickly I’m really nervous about having operation but I know then hopefully will be on the road to recovery  dreading bowel prep lol   Keep in touch x

Hi both

Lovely to hear from you and great to hear some progress is in sight even if you're still waiting for form dates.

Eastend, sounds like you should get scans this month. I hope they come soon, reveal news isn't too bad and you're soon having treatment.

Tango, great that you'll have the op soon. I know the bowel prep is a dreaded step for you. Will be thinking of you and sending you prayers and strength on the day.

J

Hi J and thanku for your kind words and good wishes...getting diagnosis will answer questions after 18 months of investigation [ re colorectal ]  the ultrasound and Orthopaedic referral is for a recent unrelated symptom... treatment is unlikely due to my autoimmune conditions..

Take care J, thinking of you and sending very best wishes x

James4000 hi James just to let you know I’m having my operation next Thursday 17 th April I’m really scared but excited in the fact I might be cancer free as surgeon is sure he can get it all with the position the tumour is in   Then it’s a bowel resection  they said I might be in hospital 7 days but if I recover a bit quicker I can go home before seven days   Looking forward to getting my life back it’s been a rough year so far  hope your doing ok James. Xx

Monring Tango

That's great news. I'm sure it will feel daunting, and that's completely normal and understandable.

Really rooting for you and your medical team. Sounds super encouraging that they'll be able to clear everything with the reaction.

I'll be thinking of you on the 17th and praying for the best possible outcome

Hello all

So the new hardest challenge for me was injecting myself.

This is not to scare anyone else, as it's my issue I guess, but I feel the need to share.

After this 2nd round of chemo, they wanted me to inject myself for 5 days to boost my neutrophils (which went very low the first time).

This was super hard for me. I'm not great about needles, and never had to do this before, and I made the mistake of reading all the possible side effects.

Full on panic attack, and very scared, but somehow i got there. Very proud of myself but very, very shaken up. Don't know how I can it 4 more times.

Seems a small thing, and probably no big deal for most people, and hopefully I won't get any side effects from this, or at least not the bad ones, but this was a massive challenge for me personally.