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Cancer

Find advice & support if you or someone you know has been diagnosed with cancer

Diagnosed with bowel cancer today

44 replies

nerfqueen · 23/02/2026 22:25

Got a bowel cancer diagnosis today. Going to need half of my bowel removed. CT scan showed it hasnt spread to other organs.

Dont know why im writing this.

Swinging between feeling numb and absolutely terrified.

OP posts:
Besidemyselfwithworry · 05/03/2026 22:54

Firstly I’m so sorry to read this but great it’s not spread and that you have a surgery date.

My auntie has had bowel cancer and had a stoma formed, and the colorectal nurses suggested getting some maternity pyjamas and maternity leggings for when she’d had the operation done and she said this was really good advice and would never have thought of this. Also some big pants a couple of sizes bigger so they don’t dig in or some maternity ones again as the tummy does swell up and it’s sore.

wishing you all the best ❤️

Mumblechum0 · 05/03/2026 23:05

Please try not to panic. I was diagnosed in 2004, 21 years later and I’m still perfectly healthy.

i had a right hemicolectomy, was back at work after 4 weeks, had chemo to be on the safe side and worked through that too.

hope You make a speedy recovery

CactusSwoonedEnding · 05/03/2026 23:10

Greetings from thd other side of this @nerfqueen - I was diagnosed in 2023, had pre-surgery chemo for 5 months then had half my bowel removed in early 2024. Now cancer-free, still recovering because it's taking my body a while to adjust to only having half a bowel but I am getting there. I know its scarey but the experts know what they are doing and they will look after you.

Superguts · 11/03/2026 11:58

This was me last week and I had the surgery this week. They think they removed all visible affected areas including the tumour but it is now a waiting game for histology results in 2-3 weeks time to see whether it had spread to lymph nodes or elsewhere. If any further sign of cancer they have said chemo is next step.

it was a massive shock. I thought I had recurring food poisoning over the last few weeks not a partially obstructed bowel and a tumour.

the surgery was fine and the pain seems localised to the keyhole incisions. It’s very manageable.

very best of luck to you. Sleeveless night shirts are helpful so they can easily tap you up for bloods and monitoring. I love having good moisturisers as well - they smell nice which makes you feel better and your skin stays fresh.

littlebilliie · 14/03/2026 21:40

Hello, I was diagnosed with colon cancer last year had surgery and it skipped from stage one to stage 2 to stage three. I had three months on the CAPOX Christmas, I was scanned before my surgery and post my treatment and so far nothing has left the lymph nodes.

If there’s anything you want to ask, please do

Meredusoleil · 14/03/2026 21:52

My dh was diagnosed a few months ago as Stage 2 and it has now gone to Stage 3 after his post surgery biopsy!

Meredusoleil · 14/03/2026 21:53

I was hoping the surgery would be enough, but he will have to start chemotherapy soon 😕

nerfqueen · 18/03/2026 17:00

Again, thanks for everyones responses, it really does help to read other peoples experiences.

My op was postponed for a few weeks as blood tests showed my iron levels to be too low. I have had one iron infusion and another tomorrow then hopefully the op next week.

Im a lot calmer about it all now but cant stop the worrying thoughts, the what ifs.... just need the op done now so i can start on the recovery. And then the wait to see if i will need chemo.....

OP posts:
RoutineQueen3 · 18/03/2026 17:21

Sending massive hugs. Please can yiu share any symptoms ro look out for?

P00hsticks · 18/03/2026 18:10

RoutineQueen3 · 18/03/2026 17:21

Sending massive hugs. Please can yiu share any symptoms ro look out for?

Symptoms of bowel cancer - NHS

Brinny · 20/04/2026 23:36

nerfqueen · 24/02/2026 16:10

Thank you to everyone who took the time to reply. Have had a date for my surgery in 2 weeks time. My husband has been so supportive as has everyone else we have told.

Will look at all the options that people mentioned to get info and support.

Taking it one day at a time. My head is just so overwhelmed with everything at the mo.....

Wish you the very best. X

Charlottelydia1 · 16/07/2026 21:18

nerfqueen · 18/03/2026 17:00

Again, thanks for everyones responses, it really does help to read other peoples experiences.

My op was postponed for a few weeks as blood tests showed my iron levels to be too low. I have had one iron infusion and another tomorrow then hopefully the op next week.

Im a lot calmer about it all now but cant stop the worrying thoughts, the what ifs.... just need the op done now so i can start on the recovery. And then the wait to see if i will need chemo.....

Are you okay lovely, how did the operation go x

nerfqueen · 19/07/2026 14:25

Afternoon

The op went as good as it could have, i had half of my large bowel removed with a successful reattatchment to the small bowel. Stayed in hospital for 4 days, came home with an infection in my arm from a cannula which cleared with antibiotics.

The first few weeks were tough, was going to the loo every 2 hours and couldnt do anything for myself. Nearly 4 months on ive fully recovered from the op, bowel movements at least once or twice a day. Learning what foods my body can cope with has been fun and games.

The removed piece of bowel revealed a 2nd tumour which the colonoscopy hadnt shown. No spread to lymph nodes. But main tumour was described as poorly differentiated / aggressive so 8 cycles of chemo was recommended.

I have done 2 rounds of chemo pills (8 a day for 2 weeks then 1 week off makes a cycle). Bloods after the 2nd lot showed my liver was struggling. So chemo put on hold, steroids prescribed for a week. Further bloods showed steroids not made a difference, my bilirubin levels are still rising.

I have bloods again next week to check levels and am awaiting an urgent scan of my liver. Whilst oncology think its the chemo affecting my liver they want to scan for anything untoward.

And thats where im at, worrying about whats going on with my liver and if the cancer has spead.....

But grateful to the surgeon who successfully removed the bowel tumours, and all the medical people who have been part of my journey.

OP posts:
Meredusoleil · 19/07/2026 18:16

nerfqueen · 19/07/2026 14:25

Afternoon

The op went as good as it could have, i had half of my large bowel removed with a successful reattatchment to the small bowel. Stayed in hospital for 4 days, came home with an infection in my arm from a cannula which cleared with antibiotics.

The first few weeks were tough, was going to the loo every 2 hours and couldnt do anything for myself. Nearly 4 months on ive fully recovered from the op, bowel movements at least once or twice a day. Learning what foods my body can cope with has been fun and games.

The removed piece of bowel revealed a 2nd tumour which the colonoscopy hadnt shown. No spread to lymph nodes. But main tumour was described as poorly differentiated / aggressive so 8 cycles of chemo was recommended.

I have done 2 rounds of chemo pills (8 a day for 2 weeks then 1 week off makes a cycle). Bloods after the 2nd lot showed my liver was struggling. So chemo put on hold, steroids prescribed for a week. Further bloods showed steroids not made a difference, my bilirubin levels are still rising.

I have bloods again next week to check levels and am awaiting an urgent scan of my liver. Whilst oncology think its the chemo affecting my liver they want to scan for anything untoward.

And thats where im at, worrying about whats going on with my liver and if the cancer has spead.....

But grateful to the surgeon who successfully removed the bowel tumours, and all the medical people who have been part of my journey.

Best of luck to you and hope you get to finish the chemo. My dh has recently finished his course (thankfully only needed 4 rounds) of CAPOX after his surgery back in Feb and he is little by little starting to sound like his old self again!

He says he has a horrible metallic taste in his mouth which put him off his food from the 3rd cycle and he hasn't got the same stamina he used to have (gets out of breath easily still). But I'm just glad it's over tbh.

His bowels are nowhere near back to normal though. And I dont think they ever will be tbh 🤔

nerfqueen · 19/07/2026 21:43

Meredusoleil · 19/07/2026 18:16

Best of luck to you and hope you get to finish the chemo. My dh has recently finished his course (thankfully only needed 4 rounds) of CAPOX after his surgery back in Feb and he is little by little starting to sound like his old self again!

He says he has a horrible metallic taste in his mouth which put him off his food from the 3rd cycle and he hasn't got the same stamina he used to have (gets out of breath easily still). But I'm just glad it's over tbh.

His bowels are nowhere near back to normal though. And I dont think they ever will be tbh 🤔

Edited

Thank you

Chemo left me feeling exhausted and the nausea was horrid. Its been nice to have a break from it altho hoping i can get back on it and complete it and get NED. Just need to get my liver problems sorted first.

I agree, i think my bowels are never gonna be the same which i think ive finally made peace with.

Glad your husband is starting to feel more like his nornal self, a cancer diagnosis is devasting affecting both your physical and mental wellbeing. Also, you as a partner are affected deeply too, i wish you both well going forward

OP posts:
OhNoItsAdeno · 20/07/2026 11:49

Glad to hear your op went well & good luck for the rest of your chemo. And hopefully hearing NED soon.

My bowels also aren’t the same 10 months on after my resection, but I am getting better at learning what I can’t eat. I’ve got the Bowelle app so I can photograph and log foods & symptoms to make it easier to see a pattern. Gastro recommended it. It’s just the wind I need to get over now, I have to stop apologising as I really can’t help it Blush. That and having to choose elasticated waistbands for the bloating. And accepting that the days of having a nice chilled glass of wine or two are long gone, as it’s not worth the pain the next day. On this plus side I’m a cheap date now, and rarely have to order a taxi as I’m always the driver.

littlebilliie · 27/07/2026 21:37

nerfqueen · 19/07/2026 21:43

Thank you

Chemo left me feeling exhausted and the nausea was horrid. Its been nice to have a break from it altho hoping i can get back on it and complete it and get NED. Just need to get my liver problems sorted first.

I agree, i think my bowels are never gonna be the same which i think ive finally made peace with.

Glad your husband is starting to feel more like his nornal self, a cancer diagnosis is devasting affecting both your physical and mental wellbeing. Also, you as a partner are affected deeply too, i wish you both well going forward

im a little further down the road from you, surgery last August and everything is settling down now it just takes time and finding out what you can tolerate

andjustlikethat1 · Today 20:18

🌷

jellyfish798 · Today 20:22

Handhold OP, sending hugs and strength. You're not alone. You've come this far, you're a fighter & fingers crossed for a successful recovery 💞 xxx

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