I have just had my gastroscopy and colonoscopy today and been told I have bowel cancer. I am lost for words and don't know where to start. I will have CT and MRI scans in the next 2 weeks to determine progression and treatment options (if any)
I have had abdominal pain and rectal bleeding for a good few months and the doctor was continually insistent it may have been internal hemorrhoids and other gas problems and gave me repeated prescriptions for same meds that was not working. Only recently was I referred to a specialist and have had to wait 7 weeks for the procedure today.
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RayDudley
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My mum had bowel cancer, she had surgery and ended up with a colostomy bag but she lived to the rip old age of 92 which was 30+ years post op. I hope you are given a plan of action very soon, keep pushing if things are moving to slowly. Good luck.
I am so sorry to hear your news and wish you well with the treatment recommended. A friend had the same problem some ten years ago which was fixed with an operation so look on the brighter side.
I do worry about some of these G.Ps who seem to lack diagnostic skills. I try to use a homeopathic doctor (not homeopath) who gives more time when required and has been taught to think.
Best wishes, Tibbly
Hi sorry to hear this but keep your chin up.
It's one thing ive been checked for as two of my uncles had bowel tumours one when they eventually took him to hospital was size of a football but it was really too late by then for him other has two removed and he's still going along.
hope you have a very "Stern" word with your Quack your not the first to have had that happen was a case in the news while back with a woman that had that.
There are health watches like Voice ability you can contact if GP's are "lax"
I'm so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I wish you all the best for your future treatments and I hope that you make a speedy recovery and return to good health very soon. Try to take it one day at a time as I'm sure you're feeling very overwhelmed at the moment xx
While you have that horrible wait for the scans, you could go and see a Reiki Master near to you. Balancing energies in your body may do you a lot of good - and it's also very relaxing, which I imagine would be helpful too after such a shock.
You may also find a meditation app like calm.com a great help too. It can help to calm your mind and relax, and will be very useful during any treatment.
Do lets us know how you are getting on and reach out for support, Ray.
Hi Ray I am sorry to hear of your plight but rest assured they can do great thing now. A friend was diagnosedwith bowel cancer and only given a 35% survival rate. That was 8 years ago and he is doing well now ( just back of a 2 month cruise! ) at the start he was very ill and the treatment made him lose his hair and about half his weight but now he is firing on all cylinders.
There is light at the end of the tunnel you just have to be willing to look hard for it.
That's truly dreadful. After so much incompetence you ought to be seen immediately. I'm surprised because usually a cancer diagnosis means everything happens very fast. Can you see a different (better?) GP at your practice and ask for an emerge appointment? Or call the appointments line on the letter and ask for a cancellation slot? I'm truly sorry - you must be devastated- and I hope you can get seen asap.
Thanks Charlie. It's been very frustrating and am truly on the verge of giving up. After colonoscopy this Monday gone they say I must receive a letter within 2 weeks with a date for CT and MRI scans which should fall in the 2-3 week window.
Don't give up. There must be specific bowel cancer support groups who can offer more targeted help and advice. I really hope things turn out not to be as bad as they must seem right now.
Oh i am so so sorry to hear this, i pray they have caught it in time and treatment will be painless as possible and successful. praying for a speedy recovery.xxx
Thanks Tazmum. I have completed treatment with 80% response rate and due for surgery next wednesday (13 Sept). I am told I will have a temporary bag for some few weeks before reversal but of course all can change depending on surgery I guess. Glad to hear your persistence paid off and treatment and surgery went well. Here is wishing you a speedy recovery and many many cancer free years.
My husband is where you were a year ago and is going for an exploratory operation on Thursday morning Not knowing what is going on is awaful The surgeon says it looks like cancer from the scan and cannot say more till He has had a look and done a biopsy So lets hope its treatable How are you going on now ?
It's been a journey and still on it. After diagnosis i was staged at 2 meaning no spread to lymph nodes or other organs. I had pre-op treatment to shrink the tumour and had surgery in September with a temporary stoma. I am now on post op chemo just as precaution and to mop up any lingering cells. I hope to have stoma reversal towards end of year and hopefully back to normal again. However I must say acceptance, positive attitude and eating healthy seen me to where I am today and in much happier place.
I hope all goes well with your husband, hope it isn't cancer but again if it is it's not a death sentence and can be successfully treated. There are many medical advances happening right now and survival rates for bowel cancer are on the up.
Take care and please reach out if you have any questions.
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