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2 week rule letter

Tracey196
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Hi everyone,

I’m new to the forum. I have had ongoing stomach issues for a few years now. Mainly severe bloating and lower left abdominal pain. I have had a couple of pelvic ultrasound  scans that have come back as normal. I have now been referred to a consultant as my doctor wants my bowel further investigated as I also suffer with loose thin stools. I saw the consultant a week and half ago and after examining my tummy and doing a digital rectal examination he has referred me for an colonoscopy and a ct scan within 2 weeks. He didn’t say why he has referred me so quick (wish I asked now). I called the colonoscopy department to ask why and she said it’s because he has found something that he feels needs urgent investigation. I’m so very frightened that I have colon cancer. I suffer dreadfully with anxiety and have also just lost my dad to cancer. The only upside is that my bloods came back normal. I had the ct scan yesterday and have the colonoscopy next Monday 15th July. I have an autistic son and the thought of leaving him is destroying me. Is the 2 week rule common practice or does this usually mean suspected cancer. Any advise would be greatly appreciated as I’m so very scared.

  • Offline in reply to Tracey196

    Hello Tracey thank you so much for your kind words , i wish you every bit of luck too , try not to worry too much and i hope you get good news . Xx

  • Offline in reply to mikkey71

    Hi Mikkey,

    I'm by no means an expert in this field but as far as I'm aware, there can be a link between cancer and night sweats and there is some information from Cancer Research UK here.

    There are people discussing night sweats in the forums here who may be able to offer some practical advice on coping with night sweats.

    Alternatively, your Dad should have been referred to a specialist cancer Nurse. These Nurses can be a valuable resource at this time.  

  • Offline in reply to Rich03

    Hi Richard 

    Many thanks for your reply , my dad is very old school , told him im worried sick he does not want no more help . I told him he has try and eat and keep himself fed , he is very low , ive told him if he gets worse and stops eating i will take him to A &E , i feel very useless now as im trying everything for him , and no he has no cancer nurse as he is still waiting for his MRI scan to see whats going on , he was just told by his GP that they found cancer in his bioosy . I had to chase the GP for that and also had to chase for his MRI scan . 

    He has not been formally told by the hospital he has cancer .  He looks so bad 

  • Offline in reply to mikkey71

    Hi Mikkey,

    You may be able to get in touch with the hospitals Upper GI Specialist Nurses through switchboard and I would have thought they'd have received a referral by this point so they may well have access to your Dad's details.

    I'm not surprised that your Dad is feeling really low, a cancer diagnosis can be very devastating. Our mood can affect our appetite. From the way you describe your Dad, it sounds as though it may be difficult for him to share his feelings, but I think that would be really helpful. It may help him to realise that it's ok to accept help.

    There's a lot of really good information about coping with your emotions from Macmillan here, it also includes information for people like yourself, who have a loved one who's been diagnosed with cancer.

    It's easy to see from our conversation that this is really affecting you. I'm happy to keep in touch here and provide advice and support as much as possible and there are contact details on the link above for other support services you can use if you need to.

    Oftentimes people forget about looking after themselves, which is unsurprising, but please make sure that you look after yourself too - physically and emotionally, so you can carry on looking after your Dad.

     

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