Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Please tell me your happy ending cancer tales

29 replies

Kittypickle · 17/01/2006 13:59

Sorry, not at all a pleasant topic for lunchtime I know ! My Dad was diagnosed with bowel cancer last week and went to the hospital this morning for his first appointment with the surgeon who will be operating. I'm feeling very nervous & a bit sick waiting to hear how he got on.
From what he said it sounds as if they have caught it pretty early but please post some happy ending stories to distract me from this horrible waiting and the scene of chaos caused by the builders downstairs.

OP posts:
Gingerbear · 17/01/2006 14:03

My friend was diagnosed with bowel cancer in August last year - original thread here
She has had an operation and chemo/radiotherapy and is well, but has bouts where she is ill. People on that thread posted positive stories about bowel cancer.
Sending you best wishes KP. xx

Original poster
Kittypickle · 17/01/2006 14:04

Thank you Gingebear, I somehow managed to miss that when I searched the archives, I will have a read.

OP posts:
CountessDracula · 17/01/2006 14:05

MY MIL had it twice, once at 42 then last year at 70. She is now in the clear again. Honestly if they catch it early the prognosis is very good

spacecadet · 17/01/2006 14:05

so sorry to hear about your dad,however, i do know people who are in remission from cancer also lyn faulds wood the television presenter had bowel cancer years ago and is still in remission, i think she is president of a bowel cancer charity or awareness trust.

ntt · 17/01/2006 14:06

What a shock for you all MIl had bladder cancer about 4 years ago. Even though she is generally quite ill, has a bad heart and is in her 70's she had it excised and has never had it grow back. Hope the op is a success, it's amazing what surgeons can do these days x

Miaou · 17/01/2006 14:06

My FIL was treated for bowel cancer about 7 years ago. They caught it very early, it was slow-growing, and once he had had the op he didn't even need chemo or radiotherapy. He has been given the all-clear.

Original poster
Kittypickle · 17/01/2006 14:08

Thank you all, I'm beginning to feel less anxious I had been very together about this after the first shock when he told me, but my Mum (they are seperated) had a hip replacement a month ago and I've been looking after her and all of a sudden things seemed a bit much.

OP posts:
munz · 17/01/2006 14:09

firstly ((((hugs)))) so sorry u're going thru this

secondly, DH's granddad had this about 3/4 years ago, at the time he didn't tell me - I have no idea why but he chose not to, anyhow he went for the treatment etc and thankfully they caught it in time. he has as a result been left with diabetes (diet controlled) but if u ask me, and the fmaily it's a small price to pay. he's in the clear now afaik.

my aunt's dad's going thru it now, he's on chemo touch wood with no side effect and is responding, he unfortunatly left it a year before acting, but fingers crossed they'll be able to do something for him.

Original poster
Kittypickle · 17/01/2006 14:09

And I am pleasantly suprised that people have just had the op and no radiotherapy/chemotherapy.

OP posts:
munz · 17/01/2006 14:12

also, i'm a firm believer in positive thinking. my aunty had ovarian cancer - the dr's gave her 2 weeks to live, but she fought it every step and had an extra 7 years, so u just tell ur dad what ever happens happens and to fight it every inch

(((hugs)))

Icemum · 17/01/2006 14:15

My grandma was diagnosed with bowel cancer 7 or 8 years ago, like miaou's fil it was a slow growing one , she had it remove and again didn't need chemo/radiotherapy. She got the all-clear and is a fit and healthy 80yr old.

winnie · 17/01/2006 14:15

my husband had cancer in his early twenties, was operated on and had chemo and is now 40

hope it all goes well for your Dad Kittypickle.

janinlondon · 17/01/2006 14:28

My uncle had bowel cancer when he was 27. He is now 73!!!

Elibean · 17/01/2006 14:42

My friend's mum had bowel cancer about fifteen years ago. She still has annual check ups, no recurrance, plays tennis three times per week in her seventies!

I'm so sorry though, its so upsetting when parents are ill and waiting for full diagnostic picture is the worst part, IME....hope his treatment goes well, and hugs to you. xx

jenkel · 17/01/2006 14:43

Just look at Sharon Osborne, thats the cancer she had and look at her know, she looks amazing, OK majority down to Plastic Surgery

QE2 · 17/01/2006 14:56

Sorry to hear your dad's going through this. The worst bit is waiting for results and formulating a treatment plan. When my dad was diagnosed with leukaemia he was told his life expectancy was 3-5 years tops. He has had various treatments including chemo and is still going strong 9 years later!

Original poster
Kittypickle · 17/01/2006 15:42

I've just spoken to him, things are really positive. His scan results show it hasn't spread and it's so small it didn't actually show up on the CAT scan. It sounds as if there's a really good chance of him having surgery and that being an end to it. I am SO relieved. Thank you all for posting, it's been so really good to hear all positive stories and I did laugh about Sharon Osborne and her plastic surgery

OP posts:
mythumbelinas · 17/01/2006 15:46

My friends dd (who sometimes plays with my dd) was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, after she complained of horrible stomach pains. She was 7 yrs old and went thru chemo, etc .. she lost lots of weight, wore bandanas, was out of school for over a yr, had an op which left a huge scar, and her immune system had to be built up again but she was so brave .. and now she's had the all clear and is back at school

jenkel · 17/01/2006 16:06

Oh, so pleased for you Kittypickle, I did know that it is a very treatable cancer if caught early. Lets hope your dad does just need the operation.

catgirl · 17/01/2006 16:07

my dad (at age 68) had bowel cancer xmas 2003, had op, got all of growth (slow growing apparently), had radiotherapy and chemo, to be perfectly honest unless you knew you wouldn't have known he had cancer - he looked just the same, didn't have many side effects (the chemo was in a small bottle that got changed once a week, rather than having a big dose once a week - not sure if that makes a difference). We got ds babtised Sept 04 and no-one could believe how well my dad looked.

He is still having check-ups and still having all clears - I think that if you are to get cancer, bowel cancer is the one to get, if you see what I mean - slow growing and very treatable.

Just remember a funny story: not long after he finished the treatments, someone he knew stopped him in a shop and asked how he was getting on 'oh great' says my dad 'I've been given 6 months' - it was only the look of horror that made him re-word - 'I've been given an all clear, so 6 months until my next appt'

Hope all goes well for you all.

melrose · 17/01/2006 16:13

I work for a cancer charity and meet survivors with amazing, wonderful and inspiring stories all the time. If caught early the chances of surviving bowel cancer are high.

At our Race for Life events the women run with signs on there backs saying "in memory" and "in celebraton" and every year there are more and more in celebration signs, a fantastic sign of the increasing number of survivors

If you feel you need more info have a look here
CancerHelp

Good Luck, be strong and stay positive xx

compo · 17/01/2006 16:14

My best friend has had cancer twice and has now conquered it. Hope that reasures you and all the best to your dad xxx

Blandmum · 17/01/2006 16:31

My Dh had testicular cancer 11 years ago and is free of it. He had an op and three shots of chemo, but we still concieved our children naturaly. (now has another unrealated cancer, but that is a different thread )

My very elderly aunt had breast cancer and a mastectomy over 10 year ago and she is going strong.

My other aunt who recetly dies of old age (86) survived two different cancers in her life.

Ou best mans mother had breast cancer over 20 years ago and is totaly clear of it.

Blu · 17/01/2006 16:35

Kittypickle - 4 years ago a friend of mine was treated for bowel cancer....and over the Christmas holiday period just gone, we had a wonderful time with him, his dw and 2 year-old daughter, he showed me pics of his various walking and water-sports hols from the last two summers....get the picture?
Best wishes for your dad - and you.

lalaa · 17/01/2006 16:38

great stories. given me a lift today. thanks all.

kittypickle, i'm having chemo at the moment and it's not as bad as the media make out. if he does go down that route (hoping not) and you want to know more, happy to help.