Diagnosed with bowel cancer today

[nerfqueen]

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.

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 ❤️

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.....

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

Symptoms of bowel cancer - NHS

Wish you the very best. X