When you know you have a tumor but don't feel ill yet...

[HohiyiKozbevi]

Hello all.

New potential member of this part of mumsnet and just hanging around near the doorway looking a bit lost.

Colonoscopy 4 days ago found a tumor. I saw it on the screen and it looked horrible but I have no idea where it comes on the scale if how horrible they can be. They wouldn't tell me how bad, I have a CT scan in 2 days to find out more.

I don't feel ill at all. Well, I'm constantly exhausted but that's totally normal for me and can be attributed to perimenopausal insomnia and a very busy life. But I'm used to powering on through the tired and getting on with my full day of work, trying to exercise 3 times a week and doing a fair share of running-the-household (DH does genuinely do as much or possibly more).

But it's weird, knowing that I am ill but not feeling ill. I haven't been given any advice. I asked if I should be eating anything different to my normal diet and they said no.

Any words of wisdom from those of you who have been here before, about what to do/what you'd be doing with these days if you were back at this point in the journey? Shall I just tick along as if nothing happened?

[Ollifer]

Op have you joined the cancer chat thread? Loads of brilliant people on there with so much advice, support and experience. The rest of this topic doesn't get many replies I find. Best of luck with your treatment 🌺

[Mistressanne]

Sorry, that must be tough.
I’m in a similar position.
I’ve just been diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.
For me it’s a watch and wait, no treatment unless my symptoms worsen.
Like you I am very tired, I’ve also lost a lot of weight. It’s a very strange feeling.

I hope you get swift treatment and all goes well.

[Sunshineandrainbow]

Sorry to hear that, I think I would just carry on as you are at the moment.
Hopefully the CT will give a better picture and help formulate a plan.

What were your symptoms to trigger the need for the colonoscopy?

[HohiyiKozbevi]

@Ollifer I browsed through the threads in this section looking for a general chat thread but couldn't see one. Have you got a link?

Thanks others for your replies too.

[Ollifer]

It's in general health topic and it's on the first page, it's called cancer support thread 90 I think :)

[itsmeafterall]

My mum
Had a bowel tumour. She was pretty anaemic but it was slow growing and had been there for ages.

She had surgery to remove it and 10cm of bowel removed. She has been cancer free for 3 years with regular monitoring.

No idea what yours is but wishing you luck and speedy treatment

[PigsinBlankets22]

Hi,

I didn't want to read and run. I am sorry to hear of the outcome from your colonoscopy, I hope the endoscopist had an informed chat with you.

Generally, although the lesion might look bad on camera, it doesn't necessarily indicate how 'bad' it actually is. The endoscopist would have taken biopsies and they will be sent to the lab as urgent; this will confirm what type of cells i.e cancer, benign. A CT scan will allow to check that the 'lesion' hasn't metastasised to other areas of the body i.e lungs, lymph nodes etc. Once the results are back, then it will be staged and treatment will be discussed with various healthcare professionals.

Absolutely keep doing what you usually do! The fact you're feeling well is a positive and age, fitness, comorbidities etc all play a role in treatment. Wishing you all the best. Try and stay positive xXx

[Chestnutz]

I also have a chronic blood cancer and on watch and wait (with plan A and plan B lined up!). It’s definitely a bit odd as sometimes it can feel so surreal. But the limited energy does make me focus on just doing the stuff that I want to do and I don’t waste it on other areas.

[calicogoose]

Join Bowel Cancer UK and sign up to their forum. Everyone is very knowledgable and kind and reassuring. The gold standard treatment is the operation to remove the chunk of the affected colon. The surgeon joins it backup and life goes back to normal. If it is spread you will need chemo. The prognosis these days is really good.