I am new here

[val41]

Just been told I have bowel cancer. Don't know what to expect. Quite worried.

[MartinVB1000]

The path forward is well set. The surgeon removes the chunk of colon . the folfox chemo sweeps up. The scot review will be out early 2017 with the number of chemo sessions. Stay positive

[val41 in reply to MartinVB1000]

Thank you

[Hidden in reply to MartinVB1000]

Martin, what is the Scot Review?

Val, when I was diagnosed was very worried for a few days, then I had an appointment with the colorectal specialist. She said, 'congratulations, if you are going to get cancer, and nearly one in two people will, this is the one to get. We can usually cure this one'. Next week I start my 1st annual surveillance procedures. I feel very positive.

[MartinVB1000 in reply to Hidden]

Scot review is a MRC and cancer research review of the normal chemotherapy sessions . At present for adjuvant chemo , 12 sessions are administered. The Scot review is to see if 6 this 3 months is sufficient.

[tetlybitter in reply to Hidden]

hi steve is your cancer neuroendocrine if so i have same but i have no cure terminal they told me this best cancer to have but they say they can control it it is low growing but it gone to liver i have 3 tumours on second chemo next wk

[GStone]

I too was very scared when I was Diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2002 as it was this type of cancer that took my Dad from me when I was 10. Today , because of early detection I am still living a somewhat full life.

When I was diagnoses the Dr told me that I had cancerous cells on my Decending and ascending parts of my large intestine but nothing on the transversal part. He recommend that he cut it all out except for enough to to resection my large and small intestines. I was fortunate enough not to have any radiation or chemo.

I presently have 15 cms of my large intestine remaining. You may not be aware that one of the functions of the large intestine is that it absorbs water from your stool. Because of the non absorption,I have, I find I have to go to the washroom very frequently . This has been alleviated somewhat by taking Metamusal in a lower portion, I do this three times a day. There are also certain types of foods I cannot eat because of large amounts of fiber. You must remenber that this is because of the amount of intestine removed yours may be completely different.because you may not have as much removes.

Some friends I have do not have as much removed and they have the bag on their side. This may seem to be an inconvenience but from speaking to them they are mostly happy with it because they can get on with their life without many complications. I know of a person who has leakage but this person is a heavy eater thus the bag over flows.

I hope this helps you in some little way. May I suggest that you go into this with positive thoughts, which may be hard, because positive thoughts make the whole process more bearable. I have now beaten cancer four time and I believe that is mainly because of my attitude towards it. I can beat it it is not going to beat me!

[val41]

Thank You

[Fennella02]

My 76 year old father was diagnosed with bowel cancer earlier this year and had his entire ascending colon removed via keyhole surgery. The surgeon told him 'it was a big old thing but I think we got it all' and, due to the one affected lymph node, he is having 6 months of tablet chemo (2 weeks on, 1 week off) which he has tolerated very well. The worst things for him ( a retired GP) have been fear, tiredness and flares of his rheumatoid arthritis. I hope you can take heart from his experience, things are looking good and he wasn't in the best of health beforehand. It is very scary but hopefully when any surgery is out of the way, you will be able to move forwards with confidence and optimism. Take care, Clare x

[blh55]

I had alot of fear the first few days too. I was visited in my dreams by my deceased dad mom and sister who all told me I would be ok. Be positive! Cancer is not necessarily a death sentence. Write down your thoughts and fears. Get good sleep even if you need a sleeping pill.

[val41]

Thank you

[tetlybitter]

hi val i have bowel and liver cancer not a lot i can say but to face it full on accept what you got and be positive what keeps me strong there is always some one worse of and then those kids who have this terrible decease and wont reach old age .low energy and fatigue do make me mad i like my garden this time year lots to do .i do 30 min then have to go lay down for hour bit sickness hot flushes and with my liver swell up pain in ribs kidney guts but be totally honest with you im coping with this i get my 2nd dose chemo next wk chemo ends in march so ill hope that get good news be strong val all the best

[val41]

I had my operation Nov 28th. It has been 6 weeks now. The Doctor said everything looks good. He doesn't think I will have to have chemo, but I have to see the oncologist to talk to him. Hopefully the Doctor is right.