Hello Hayley!

in the begging I have to ask you to stay calm as being stressed all the time will not help you and will magnify all problems you are facing with your health :)

I have been diagnosed with bowel cancer in July this year at the age of 32.

I didn’t realized that I do have any symptoms until I’ve ended up in Surgical Assessment Unit at the hospital.

After conversation I had with doctor it appeared that all symptoms I could easly explain :

- I was tired and dizzy, couldn’t get up the stairs without my heartbeat raised - I was thinking that waking up at 5am leaving home at 6 for 1 hr drive to work - and sometimes I was coming back home just before 8pm - then dealing with my 4yrs old son simply making me tired- it appeared I had half red cells less than I should (anemia)

- I have lost lots of weight - two months before hospital I have started very strict diet so weight loss got simply explained

- bowel habits change - well last year was increadibly stressful - family problems, was very uncertain what will happen with my work- trying to look for new one etc - just stress :/. All bowel habits change was explained with all these situations

- abdominal pain - didn’t ever realised - yes I had some pain but only days around my period so this has been missed completely...

Doctor examined my abdominal part of the body and decided for CT scan (I was hospital patient that time already so they have rushed this in two hours) then the same day there was decision about surgery as they could see the mass in the bowel- I had surgery next day and being diagnosed 4 weeks after that.

If you are worried about your health try to push your GP for more close checks faster - maybe blood test first with CEA and liver check.

Also pleade keep this in mind that there are plenty other reasons why you are getting all problems... Just please do not worry for now

I will keep my fingers crossed for you as I want to believe they won’t find any cancer :) 

Please be as much positive as possible :) 

Mal

Hi mal, thank you so much for your reply! And really sorry about your diagnosis, hope everything goes okay and you have a speedy recovery! 

I'm definitely going to try push my doctor to get me in earlier, I have had a blood test and all came back normal apart from really low iron and also a stool test which came back showing inflammation, when my doctor phoned me up to say about my test he said he wants things moving asap which then freaked me out and that's why I'm so worried as he didn't really say much 

Have your periods changed? Mine seem to be getting heavier and loads more painful! Sometimes i also get a few blood clots but then will slow down after a day or two

Fingers crossed I can push my doctor and finally get the answers I want! 

Hi 

yes the post surgery recovery gone fine - after twoo weeks I came back to work full time (as I couldn`t drive for few weeks I worked from home). During chemo I had few days off as treatment is not the easiest to have but still carried WFH option :) KeeNow recovering after the treatment and still staying home withoit driving so that`s really good - I needed to work to keep my mind health and busy ;) 

Regarding periods - they did gone heavier few months before my surgery. Pain I felt was that abdominal pain caused by cancer...

I did keep having my periods during chemo treatment even they said that in 95% I will get to menopause early - right now I`m having first one after treatment and it really heavy one so I`m monitoring it just in case. 

Keep me updated how it goes :) I`m sure all wil be fine - truerly believe that :) 

Mal

Glad you are feeling a lot better! I'm going to ring doctors today and see if they can get me in any earlier, I've had lower abdominal pain for 3 days now and just keeps getting worse! And keep having the feeling i need to go toilet and nothing is happening , getting so frustrated now haha, will definitely keep you updated!

Hello 

so sorry about the pain... 

try warming it up it might help a bit ...

It might be an idea to go through emergency to be fair.... I know it migt a bit naughty but it can be the way to get yourself check faster. 

I`m not sure how things look like with normal appointments as I was assigned to surgical assessment unit and had an emergency surgery - but I was really lucky I had an amazing surgeon and consultants who had their eyes opened and checked on me properly. 

Also my GP surgery is really good - they can fit me in next day most of the cases and my child never had to wait till next day - we have been really lucky :) 

Still having my fingers crossed for you :) 

Mal

We seem to be having the same issues!!

im currently waiting on a date for a colonoscopy but when you mention your periods getting heavier and with worse pain I am totally feeling you!! My bloods came back showing anaemia but my stools have showed nothing up. But I haven’t passed a solid stool since August, and most times when I go to the toilet I notice blood. I’ve never had anxiety but I’m definitely getting more and more stressed! 

I hope it’s not cancer for you, but I understand completely about the waiting you’re doing. It’s absolutely horrible. I hope you get sorted ASAP and everything is sorted easily!

goodluck x

Its really weird how they've just randomly started to hurt and got really heavy, sometimes I have to change every hour it gets that bad! I've never noticed any blood but the mucus seems to be getting darker so not sure if its blood or not but stool test showed no hidden blood just inflammation

Its so frustrating not knowing what's going on isn't it! I hope your appointment goes well and have my fingers crossed for you that its not cancer and thank you, sending good luck to you as well x

Hey, little update! 

So went to the toilet about half an hour ago and seen blood in my stool, phoned the doctor and they said there's no appointments left phone back up Monday!

What would you do? I'm sat here worrying so much, the pain has now gone from the right side to the left and now got pain in my left shoulder as well, I'm so worried now :( 

Hi 

I really suggest to see someone in A&E or at least go to walk in centre - That`s how I have been sent to Surgical Assmt Unit...

Honestky if you worrying you have a right to go - it`s not like headache or something... If you feel something is not rigt just go :) 

Good luck 

Mal