Hi there - sorry to read about your symptoms & how worried you are. Just to let you know how/why I understand what you are feeling. Just under 3 weeks ago my GP referred me to the 2 week cancer pathway for bowel/lung cancer. My symptoms were awful - so bad I came home from holiday early. I had blood tests, xrays & a CT scan. All came back ok - I still have to have a colonoscopy but the Conultant isn't unduly worried & just wants to rule it out. A relief of course even tho' I still have some symptoms & need to find out what it is - probably IBS.

I'm rambling about myself to show you that all that appears so worrying certainly doesn't always prove to be anything very worrying. My GP said, before she sent me for the tests, that anxiety makes symptoms worse. Of course I doubted it but she was absolutely right. My symptoms haven't completely gone since the results but are infinitely better. She also said that 9 out of 10 patients referred for cancer testing come back perfectly ok. So, why shouldn't this be you? :)

There isn't, I'm afraid, any magic bullet about dealing with the wait & the anxiety - which is asolutely AWFUL I know. My advice is to think about my experience (why shouldn't you have the same? :) Also, it's very important to keep busy doing normal/everyday things & focus on them not the awful negative thoughts. Don't allow them to creep in & spoil your life.

It's also important to take things in stages.Stage 1: you've had tests Stage 2; get the results stage 3; then deal with what comes up if anything at all. Jumping beyond stage 2 or even stage 3 will lead only to your feeling worse & the chances are all that misery will be just that - misery for no good reason. If there is anything that shows up there's every chance in the world that it will be something emminently treatable.

All this easy to say I know, but do tell yourself all will be well & of course I certainly hope it is. Keep posting here if you feel the need to. Best wishes.x

Hi purrfect,

Thank you for taking the time to respond. I'm glad all your tests came back clear although I'm sorry to hear that your holiday didn't go to plan. 

Did they say that a clear CT scan is a good sign? I didn't know CT scan could show any malignacy in the bowel. When is your colonoscopy? Mine is this Sunday. Hopefully it's another positive news for you after the test xx

Hi again - my CT scan was for lungs & really all major organs inc. the bowel. Apparently ct scans can't see the entire bowel (it folds over itself or something??) but all other organs can be &, as I said, mine all ok. So, the colonoscopy is to see the entire bowel. I only saw the Consultant last Saturday so I'm still waiting for the appt. to come through. Should be withing 2 weeks. Hope this helps a bit.

VERY good luck with yours on Sunday. Do let us know how you get on. All the best to you. x

Hi purrfect,

I had the colonoscopy today. Opted for gas & air. It wasnt too bad. Had like 3-4 painful moments and that's it. They didnt find any polyps which is a relief but took several biopsies. Results in a couple of weeks.

I hope yours goes well too.

I'm now awaiting MRI results of my spine as the abdominal pain goes alongside back pain so I shall see what that shows.

Thank you for your support xx

Hey did any of you guys have the Ca199 bloods done?? 

Hi zeduk,

No I didnt. I didnt have any cancer markers done as my GP didnt think it could be cancer after doing calprotectin test. He said if that test comes back very high then we will look into markers. But it didnt. 

Ahh ok I’v got my colorectal appointment wk Tuesday so now how nervous you must be feeling.... it’s the unknown and waiting isn’t it. 

My CA199 was raised slightly and my folate is low ‍♀️ Had USS on my gallbladder liver ect all came back fine 

Hi zeduk,

Yes the wait is a torture. Its good that the ultrasound didnt find any abnormalities. 

Good luck for next week. I hope it all goes well and do post an update after your appointment.

Hi all , waiting for colonoscopy , am on a dark tunnel, im so sad and emotional, I feel like im dying from this, I just cant see my kids and my husband in face, thinking whats going to happen , thinking im gona hurt them, I have a urgent referr and in the blood test i hade something high in the liver, I am so worried if that means that I may have colon cancer that has spread ti the liver , and thats why liver shows like that on blood test, 

anyone know anything please let me know , after I came home yesterday from the doc , Plus the symptoms i had , I vomited twive , never before , I just bleeded once a month ago, ona day only, please help if u know anything ️