At least on wednesday you will know exactly whats going on and whats going to be done. You can focus on that and if you have questions that you think of before then, write them down because I always used to forget when I got there.

They will probably give you a date for your op.

Take someone with you for support (you probably will bedoing anyway) and to remember what they've said as I forgot half of it.

Good luck. I'll be thinking about you on wednesday, let me know how you go on x

As you can imagine, I am going through every scenario and have a million questions flying round in my head.

A couple of niggling things are that I remember the colonoscopist saying he'd checked the right side but not the left (or viceversa) - why? Do they stop looking any further when they find something big? Was my CT scan to look for more or to see how invasive the polyp he found was?

Also what is the likelihood of me ending up with a stoma? and percentage chances that it is cancer?

I know I only have 2 more days till results day..... but it feels like I've been waiting forever already.

Thanks and sorry if I'm doing your heads in but I'm a very negative and pessimistic person and I dont like surprises, good or bad.

I know exactly how your mind is going at 500 miles an hour. And if you're like me it will be full of the worst outcomes. You are not doing my head in, glad to be here for your questions even if I can only help a little.

Try to keep busy, clean, iron, bake... do anything to keep you busy. As you say in a couple of days you'll know more.

Write all your questions down and take them with you.

In my experience, when they found my big polyp that they weren't sure if it was cancer, they didn't go any further round because they couldn't get past it. I think the CT will tell them along with the biopsy what it is.

My first time, surgery took my right side of bowel and appendix (just because it's attached and no use). Second time, the top part of my bowel so now I just have the left side left. Everythings settled down and amazingly I still go to the loo the same amount of times as before. They only do a stoma as a last resort. The second op they weren't expecting to do one but just in case drew on me where it would be, first thing I asked when I woke up! I was so pleased that I didn't have one but if it saves your life I would have had to get used to it.

If you are unlucky enough for it to be a cancerous polyp, they remove it with good margins of healthy bowel and replumb large and small bowel.

Hope this helps a little.

Hi I read your post today and see that today is the day fit your appointment.  Good luck let us know how you get on. 

Thanks for thinking of me.

Great news with regards to the biopsies... the results came back benign and the CT scan didn't show anything else unusual up.

BUT..... they still aren't 100% certain as the adenoma doesn't fit into their normal size/appearance profile for benign. However he did say that it wasn't ulcerated (if that means anything). They still need to remove the lump and check what's inside it to be certain.

However, they can't decide how to proceed as initially they were going to remove a section of bowel by the usual surgical method but the hospital currently has a visiting expert who specialises in removing larger lumps by other methods, either via the colonoscopy or by multiple incisions. So, I am now waiting to see this new specialist and see what he says.

To be honest, something still doesn't seem right. I've had no explanation for my symptoms or my low iron and I feel like they've missed something and they don't seem very confident.

I guess I was hoping for a 100% result and a plan for surgery..... but now it's yet more waiting and uncertainty.

But nothing goes to plan.

In trying to look on the positive side, I'm sure many people would wish for my results but I still have a dark cloud hanging over me until it's removed and I'm sure of what it is.

That’s certainly encouraging. But I know you just feel anxious until all 100%.  Low iron is quite common though. Maybe the other symptoms are anxiety and stress.  It can play havoc. Fingers crossed for you keep us updated. I have a colonoscopy on Monday. Been waiting since january. 

Don’t google. But I googled for you. And you can get cauliflower like a denomas which are benign but they take them out as they could potentially change. A bit like certain large moles that they take out just to be on the safe side. I think my father in law has just had one removed. Obviously I’m not a dr. But wanted you to know. That just because it’s not a typical polyp doesn’t mean it’s malignant 

Hi, i know this post is over a year old but i wondered how you got on,I'm 39 and been having symptoms for a while.Yours are the only posts I've come accross that also had the missed periods like me.Mine had always been regular every 4 weeks now they're taking 6-8 weeks to arrive.Ive had boods including ca125 and hormone levels to check for menopause and both are normal,ovary ultrasound normal.Ive had pelvic,lower back and hip pain for months.Also upper abdominal bloating. I've just had an abnormal fit test result and now I'm convinced i have bowel cancer.I'm so scared especially now cancer screening,ops and treatments looking like they're going to be held back due to covid x

Hello there. 

I had surgery on the 14th Oct 2019. Spent 2 days in ICU and 8 days on ward. The day I was discharged I was told it had contained cancer cells in the tumour. I am now a year on and my periods are still not right (my latest one was june). I need to get the doc to follow this up but getting an appt is almost impossible. 

I'm having my 1 year colonoscopy shortly so far all my tests have come back ok.

If you've had your CEA levels checked and you arent losing weight and your poops arent different in any way. Those were my warning signs after the initial 'period' query. Just total coincidence that I had bloods taken as routine and this showed up. 

I hope everything turns out fine for you. I know how worrying it can be. I've been there and dont wish it on anybody.  If you need to talk more, I'm here to listen. 

Take care and keep safe x