Be persistent

I already have cancer, it's called Primary Peritoneal Cancer, and although I am terminal, I have been well for a while now, I have had no treatment for a year now and everything is stable and even the tumour markers have come down, however I have been having issue going to the loo since my diagnosis, this was partly to the biopsy that I had done to identify the type of cancer I have and also the surgery I had to remove it, but in recent months I noted some severe changes, such as extreme pain in my rectum before I went to the loo, also the pain would persist until I had moved my bowels sufficiently which was really difficult at times, then I started to notice a thick brown mucus in my stool and when I wiped myself after being to the loo. I mentioned it to my GP who just gave me more laxative.

On one occasion I was in so much pain I called 111 and they said that I needed to go to A&E immediately as it could be a bowel obstruction, I wont go into all the detail, but I wasn't examined and was sent home with a bottle of fluid to give myself an enema, which I couldn't do as I couldn't reach, however I eventually went to the loo and there was lots of bloody mucus, it was very dark and looked like huge clots.

I went back to my GP and was told that because I was terminal it wouldn't be investigated and I was sent away, there was no offer of anything to help with the pain either. Several more weeks passed and the bleeding was getting worse, so I asked to see one of the oncologists at my local hospice, and I explained everything to him, he listened and then he gave me a rectal examination, but unfortunately he couldn't find the source of the pain and strongly advised me to go and see my GP again, which I did, but this time I asked to see someone different, the doctor I seen this time was lovely and he was appalled when I told him what the other doctor had said and he got the ball rolling to get me tested.

Within two weeks I was diagnosed with a tumour in the sigmoid colon, however at this point I don't know what is going to happen or if has spread anywhere else as we are waiting on the biopsy results and I'm having an MRI scan today, and a specialised CT scan next week.

  • Hello Snippy

    I'm sorry to hear that after being diagnosed with PPC, going through treatment and being stable for the past year, you've now been told that you have a tumour in your sigmoid colon. It sounds like it's been a really difficult journey for you and I'm sorry that your concerns were initially dismissed by so many doctors. I'm glad that you were persistent in reaching out for help. 

    As I'm sure you already understand, this period of uncertainty and additional testing can be really difficult. Not having the full information needed to make a clear diagnosis can be worrying, and add to that your previous PPC diagnosis, I can only imagine the rollercoaster of thoughts and emotions you must have been experiencing since getting this news. Hopefully, with the MRI and CT scan results, the specialists will be able to pull together a clear picture of what is going on for you and discuss the options for care. 

    If it would help to talk things through with one of our nurses at any point, you're most welcome to give them a call. I know they will be happy to listen and offer any advice, information and support they can. They're available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm on 0808 800 4040. 

    I hope that you have some news soon Snippy. Keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We're here for you. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator