hey [@Sabr]‍ how did you get on? i've been all the way back through the thread and seen your story. hope you are doing ok x

Not good news I’m afraid. They have found a huge flat and complex polyp, they’re worried may be cancerous. I was sent for a mri and ct scan and I await a plan. It’s like my worst fear what I was worried about and it’s happening.

Hi [@Sabr]‍ 

i too have read through the whole thread & just wanted to send you love & light xx

I've been awake all night in absolute fear of the unknown. Yesterday I was told my FIT result is positive & im on the 2 week waiting list for the colonoscopy. 
 

I had Covid a 5 weeks ago & with having health anxiety made me really distressed. I started getting stomach pains in the top part of my abdomen and sharp pains after eating. My stools became a little looser than normal and the doctor said this is down to IBS.

im 31, a single mother of 2 and I'm absolutely petrified of the C word. I've had haemorrhoids since having my first daughter almost 10 years ago and now and then when I open my bowels I'll see bright red blood on the tissue when I wipe. I can also see the haemorrhoids around my butt (sorry tmi). 
 

I am feeling so sick, so anxious and can't help but this the worst. I don't know how I'll get through this waiting period. 
 

this thread has made me feel somewhat better knowing that I am not alone. I've spent hours through the night reading everyone's stories. 
 

wishing you all the very best xxx

I had a negative FIT but due to every bowel canced symptom including iron deficiency and weight loss I had qfit which came back under 10. My one was 3. Calprotectin inlammetry marker was normal so th ey did  CT covid improvised test on abdomen but no lumps was seen in bowel lumen. Even private consultant says colonoscopy is not suggested for me. I cannot get NHS referal because of this qfit marker. Meantime, im sure this is cancer. I can deal with it but i cant deal with regrets of missing something.

[@Sabr]‍ so sorry to hear they found something, I hope the MRI and CT Scan will come around quickly if it hasn't already. Will they biopsy it as well? Let us know how it goes. Even if it is The Worst (ie cancer) it is really treatable. 3 people in my family have had it including my mum and they have all been clear for 10+ years. Sending you lots of positive vibes x

Hello to anyone reading, updating my story to hopefully put some anxious minds at ease. You can read my first comment above RE symptoms etc but here's my timeline: 

- 3rd September 2021 completed FIT test 

- 8th September 2021 GP gave me result (23ug) and referred for 2WW cancer referral. 
- 14th September 2021 offered telephone appointment.

- 23rd Sept 21 had telephone appt. where they took symptoms, family history etc and ordered colonoscopy and blood test. 
- 2nd Oct 21 received letter with blood labels to be conducted prior to colonoscopy

- 4th Oct 21 went to walk-in blood centre. Bloods back the same day (via another appt.) and were fine. 
-5th or 6th Oct 21 offered colonoscopy for 16th October. 
- 13th Oct 21 had covid swab and given bowel prep instructions at hospital. 
-16th October 21 had my colonoscopy. Was very quick and all clear. No polyps. I will be referred for genetic testing via my GP to see if I have bowel cancer gene. The bowel prep and procedure were really unpleasant, but manageable.

I asked why my FIT was positive. Consultant said it could be IBS. I've read online that IBS doesn't cause bleeding, but perhaps that isn't well researched... 
 

So glad your ok, it must be a relief. If your still not right though you must push it, it's your body!! If they havent a clue it's always IBS!! Have you thought about possibly Endo?? I'm 37 2 kids and I originally went thinking I had gynae issues, Iv had ibs for about 15 yrs so didn't think anything of the severe constipation I'm also anaemic which they tell me is down to my periods. It was the Gp who just suggested a fit test, I was being tested for ovarian cancer as my overy has enlarged over twice the size. Anyway turns out I had a really high FIT test, I got the phone call from the GP on Tuesday and a consultant rang me Wednesday night, im currently waiting for the colonoscopy and the wait is driving me mad! 

Hey, yeah I have thought about Endo. I had an ultrasound (abdo and pelvic) back in June this year and it didn't show anything in my ovaries/uterus etc. My menstrual cycle is 'normal' (26-32 day cycle, period lasts 3/4 days and not too heavy) although it is always painful and my bowel is always incredibly irritated during my period. Sometimes I just can't poop at all lol. I get intense shooting pains in my butt/perineum/pelvic area. So perhaps I do have Endo, mildly? 
 

hoping for the best outcome from your colonoscopy, I'm glad you have got one booked in. It will be here before you know it. I saw a really helpful infographic that showed  the percentage of each colonoscopy outcome following a positive FIT test: 13% had normal colonoscopy, 25% had minor findings that did not require treatment, 53% had adenomas (polyps) that were removed, only 9% had cancer. Source: www.gov.uk/.../bowel-cancer-screening-having-a-colonoscopy-fit

wishing you all the best and hoping you can keep distracted until it's all sorted x

don't worry about the bowel prep, it sounds worse than it is. I drank the moviprep over the course of an hour, then about 30-45 mins later just sat on the toilet on and off for about 1-2 hours. Took my phone with me for entertainment. Sorry if TMI - it was pretty much liquid after the first couple of poops, and I didn't wipe every single time because I was going every 1-2 mins initially, and I think that saved my *** from being sore! I actually didn't get cramps, just a very bubbly tummy. The liquid doesn't taste great and you will feel uncomfortably full so it gets harder to drink as you go. You will be able to push through. I was also very tired from not eating and felt almost delirious by the time I arrived at the hospital. 
 

Yes maybe I do need a laparoscopy, but I think my symptoms are manageable, although I might feel differently if/when I try to have children.. and yeah you're right we definitely have to put up with a lot as women so maybe I should stand my ground more! 
 

feel free to DM me if you have any questions or need some reassurance. Xx