I’m so scared

[Kcvazmtz]

I’m having symptoms of colon cancer , I’m 38 and a mother of 6 I’m super scared . I scheduled an appointment in a nearby clinic hoping to get a referral to see someone who specializes in that area. Symptoms include blood onstool like just sitting on top , bloating and gurgling stomach . Any advise …?

[Readingpiano]

Hi, I am 42. I’ve been having the same symptoms as you with the addition of narrow stools, mucous, and abdominal pain. I have had an initial appointment where they did a stool sample. That was two weeks ago with no word back. I made another apt for tomorrow. Hopefully I get a little further in the investigative process.

I completely understand the anxiety and fear. I go back and forth between staying calm and thinking the worst all day long.

This forum has been helping me keep things in perspective. I’m so glad I found it!

[Kcvazmtz in reply to Readingpiano]

it’s hard and I hate feeling worried and then I think about my kids like the word cancer to me just means death ….if they haven’t called you to give you your results you should definitely call them back . Hopefully everything is well tomorrow when you go back for your next appointment

[Readingpiano in reply to Kcvazmtz]

Is your appointment scheduled soon? From what I have been reading here, the symptoms can be many things. Try not to panic.

I have been calling them for the results for days. Finally I was told the results were in, but then they couldn’t find them in their system. Maybe that’s why they never called to begin with.

I thought it best just to schedule another appointment instead of waiting for the call back. I’m extremely frustrated. And anxiety builds the longer I wait.

Tomorrow I’m hoping to get a referral to a specialist.

Hopefully we both get answers soon

[Kcvazmtz in reply to Readingpiano]

my appointment is next week , I’m suppose to be getting a call back ,… hopefully everything goes well for you tomorrow , thank you so much i feel better knowing I’m not alone in this

[Readingpiano in reply to Kcvazmtz]

I do too. Keep us posted.

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator in reply to Readingpiano]

Hi Readingpiano,

Is there another option to get your testing done? The can't find the results and you have to keep calling them back? Many healthcare facilities are a part of an online patient care program like MyChart. See if you can signup for something like that so you can easily monitor what's going on. Whenever I have something done, it's posted on MyChart and I can go view the results myself. The same results my doctor sees.

And you are correct that the symptoms can mean many different things. Great advice to not panic and seek answers. You're seeing signs and getting them checked out by a doctor. That is great. Some people ignore signs and then it can become a big problem.

Thank you for posting and reaching out. I know there are lots going through the same thing and finding someone to share can be very helpful.🧡👍 I am a metastatic colon cancer survivor and I've learned from some of my cancer groups that "no one fights alone" and this is true once you find your group.

I hope you get your answers soon as well. Please let us know how things turn out for you as well.

Thank You,

~Tom, GCCA Survivor - Colon Cancer Connected Site Administrator.

Just a reminder - this group is here to offer support, share experiences, and offer our thoughts - but this is not medical advice, and you should always consult your medical professional(s). Additionally, for all emergencies, seek urgent medical care, never delay.

[Readingpiano in reply to GCCA-Survivor]

Thank you. I will definitely ask about an online patient portal tomorrow.

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator]

Hi Kcvazmtz,

Thanks for posting on Colon Cancer Connected. I hate to hear you are having these issues, but please know you are doing all the right things to get answers. There can be many things causing you these issues that are not cancer. There are many causes for blood in the stool, some are very treatable with medication, diet change, and minor procedures, and of course, there are more serious reasons for blood in the stool as well. For that reason, we always advise patients to seek medical care when they have blood in the stool. Don't be scared. You are after answers. You are doing that right now.

You will be put some tests in a progression that should lead you to the reasons. One may be a FIT test which will determine if there is blood in the stool. This will probably turn out positive as you mentioned you have already seen this, but your doctor may want a test to determine that. Don't be alarmed at the positive result.

After an examination, your next step will probably be a colonoscopy. You need answers as to what is causing the bleeding and the colonoscopy will go a long way in providing those answers and putting you on a path to treating it and getting better.

Do you have any history in your family with certain medical issues? Information like that can be helpful to your doctor.

Please focus on getting the answers you need. This is what will give you peace of mind. I know it can be scary but that's because you don't have answers. You are taking action and you are on the right path.

We do wish you the best. Please let us know what you find out. That information may prove helpful to others on this site.

Thank You,

~Tom, GCCA Survivor - Colon Cancer Connected Site Administrator.

Just a reminder - this group is here to offer support, share experiences, and offer our thoughts - but this is not medical advice, and you should always consult your medical professional(s). Additionally, for all emergencies, seek urgent medical care, never delay.

[Kcvazmtz]

That I know Colon cancer doesn’t run in my family . I will keep you guys updated. Hopefully everything goes well . I have a lot of faith and I know I’ll get thru this .

[GreatWhiteShar in reply to Kcvazmtz]

Great positive attitude to have! And I am happy to hear that you are taking a very pro-active approach in getting an appointment set-up with getting a colonoscopy done. I was actually diagnosed a little over a month ago, and starting on Monday is going to be my first round of Chemotherapy, and Radiation treatments. This community is a great community to be in for support. I hope that everything goes great for you!

[Kcvazmtz in reply to GreatWhiteShar]

thank you so much, I wish you the best in your treatments ❤️

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator in reply to GreatWhiteShar]

Hi GreatWhitShar,

All the best for your chemo and radiation treatments.

My 2-cents ... My experience is the therapy just keeps building on you over time. It can wear you down. I found you don't control a lot of what's going on. That was an issue I had a problem with. I found by doing something, or things I could control made me feel better. I would always workout or go for a bike ride after therapy. I kept that schedule for as long as I could. But it came to a point I didn't feel like doing that much. At the very least, I found if I went for walks, that's something I would be in control of. The therapy may be causing fatigue, but I could go for a walk and be in charge of doing that. It gave me something to focus on and do. I found it to help with the anxiety that can often sneak in to your mind.

Good luck with the treatments. Finish kicking your cancer's butt👍💪🧡🤟

Tom

[GreatWhiteShar in reply to GCCA-Survivor]

Thank you Tom!

I have been told by friends the treatment is a cumulative process, and you don’t start to really feel any side-effects until the second or third week into the treatments. I have been doing walks every night. I try to average a little over a mile each night! I will be doing a 6-week course of both chemotherapy, and radiation at the same time. Monday-Friday with Saturday, and Sunday off.

[Grange123]

The odds of cancer are still low. I had an episode of diarrhoea for months, every day, then one episode of bright read blood on the toilet paper and on top of the stool. I was sent for a sigmoidoscopy and diagnosed with IBS and internal haemorrhoids. If the blood is bright red it’s likely haemorrhoids

[Kcvazmtz in reply to Grange123]

I feel better after reading your comment, I’m still hopeful it’s nothing as bad as cancer , I have an appointment next week with a family doctor I’ll tell them all my symptoms and hopefully they’ll tell me where to take it from there . I’m clueless like I’ve never been sick bit more than a cough or headache here and there so I’ve never been to the hospital other than to give birth . I hope everything goes well, I’ve been feeling pretty good. Thank you for your words .

[Carsok in reply to Kcvazmtz]

I've had the same thing from hemorrhoids' and had one so big they had to operate on it. Also have IBS...wish they could come up with something to help with it. Also just had a colonoscopy and was told I have diverticula throughout my colon and had 7 polyps taken out, one being 10 mm and one was 12mm. I have a colonoscopy every two years. I do hope things work out for you. I think we're always afraid of the big "C" but there are so many things it could be.

[Fvgrl]

I understand what you are feeling. I had the same symptoms and I convinced myself I had cancer. I did not. I had an ulcer and an h.pyl infection and IBD. My symptoms have improved with medication and antibiotics. Try not to panic.

[Kcvazmtz in reply to Fvgrl]

I’m staying positive and trying not to overthink, thank you so much for your words . ❤️

[Txbj1]

I am glad that you are taking care of it now. I waited too long, but after I got over a scheduling hiccup with the 1st CT Scan everything else happening in a timely manner.

[Sooty712]

Hi hope all is well am just wondering if you have any update as i have some of the same symptoms and still awaiting to be seen by GI.