Colon Cancer

I was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in 2018. I had surgery to remove part of the bowel then chemo as it had spread to one lymph node. Keyhole surgery and no stoma bag. Here I am 7 years later and no recurrence so take heart. Bowel cancer is one of the most successfully treated if caught in time.

sorry to hear your news, you must be beside youself with worry, but they can do so much more for colon cancer now,I've been reading the other comments, and they are reassuring. wishing you all the best, take care ,we'll be rooting for you

Sending you positive vibes - your mental positivity will do its best to see you through this !

All the very, very best to you.

I hope you are reading all these so positive comments, Kupari45 , I wish I could give you my email or fb, there is so much support and info I could give you. Does anyone know if there is a way to connect directly?

Hello I hope this messahelps. I was diagnosed with stage 2 and had part of my colon removed and there was no need for chemotherapy in my case
I did the poo test at age 63 and it showed a very minute trace of blood in it. It is quite hard to detect. But I'd felt rough for abt 10 years previous. Undiagnosed prediabetes, unable to get doctors appointments during pandemic, stomach infection, all with hindsight, I realise now was the buildup. Plus fatigue, sleeping a lot, losing my appetite, unexplained weight gain. It was a mental time. To say I felt shit was an understatement. I thought just chop out the bad bit and let me get on with my life. That's exactly what I did. Look forward darling. There is life after cancer, and you will probably be monitored for the next 5 years. I wish you love and best wishes. X

Very timely - finally remembered to complete and send my bowel screening test today. Two of my Mum‘s friends have had their cancer detected early through this process. Both have made a full recovery. I wish you the same 💐

So sorry to hear of your diagnosis scary indeed. My ex mil had BC and they removed some bowel but no bag .She lived another 24 years covid did her in not BC .Good luck

Kupari45
Wishing you the very best result. x

Sending you best wishes and I’m sure from everyone on this forum too! ❤️

Greciangirl

Foxy48.

How does a virtual colonoscopy differ from a normal one.

Is it some sort of scan?

Yes, it's a scan. Same preparatory procedure but much less invasive than a colonoscopy and they can check the bowels but also look at the other organs. However, if they find something and want to remove for a biopsy, I'd then have to have a colonoscopy. When I was triaged by phone I was asked about the drugs I'm on and my heart condition and they decided that this was a better option, I didn't argue!

I'm very sorry to read this. I believe colon cancer is often one of the hidden cancers and the symptoms often mimic those of other conditions so it is not surprising that you went down the IBS route. My MIL was diagnosed with this in 2004. She had always had to rush to the toilet and it was only when she suddenly became very constipated that she sought medical help. Sadly for her, it was too late. However, it sounds as if yours has been caught at a much earlier stage and hopefully treatment will be started as soon as possible for the best possible outcome. Treatment has advanced tremendously in recent years, too. Prayers.

Foxy48.

How does a virtual colonoscopy differ from a normal one.

Is it some sort of scan?

Good luck!💐

So sorry to hear this and wish you the best

My DF had this in his 70’s, very successfully operated and no stoma bag. It was a slow recovery, so take it easy

Wish you Well. Hope you take some comfort when I say my husband was diagnosed with colon cancer and survived 26 years after surgery. He died of prostate cancer, not colon cancer.

My best wishes for a successful outcome.
Being positive For anyone facing the possibility of a stoma, one of my friends needed an ileostomy at the age of 23 and newly married.
She has led a full, active and interesting life and will be 85 this
year.

I hope all goes well for you, Kupari. It is a shock, but if it is cancer, it's one of the curable ones.
I had to have an emergency operation to remove part of the colon last August, because I was blocked and in pain (GP should probably have sent me to hospital 3 weeks earlier). In fact, the overgrown polyp wasn't cancerous and nor were the lymph glands the surgeon took out.
Recovery isn't pleasant, but truly I've surprised myself with how well I am now. I had a follow-up colonoscopy two weeks ago and all seems fine. I'll be 80 in July by the way.

Some inspirational stories on this subject. Best wishes to those having procedures. There are a couple of groups on Facebook which are very supportive so you mustn’t feel lonely x

I was 59 when I got my stoma and next week I celebrate (!) ten years !
I can eat anything but find fizzy drinks a bit difficult… I got married to a lovely man eighteen months ago and I couldn’t be happier…. I have traveled, swam with turtles and have had the best of times . Don’t let it define you enjoy life xxx

...obviously hoping a stoma isn't required.
Just didn't want you to be further distressed.

Apologies if I sounded as though this was an obvious conclusion... I do not.

Kupari x

Sorry to hear that, what a shock it must have been. Hand holding here for as long as you need.

My mother had an ileostomy towards the end of her life.
She said it was "definitely better than the alternative".

I know there is a young woman on instagram trying to normalise stomas. She is doing a great job.

This young woman says it gave her her life back...

www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/stoma-bag-young-benefits-ulcerative-colitis-b2160650.html

If anyone does have or need a stoma - please do not think of this as something terrible. I was in my forties when I developed very bad ulcerative colitus - needing to use the loo up to 20 or 30 times a day. I was treated with steroids, both by pills and internally. Was really poorly for all that time, needing daily sleep and being scared to go out anywhere unless I knew exactly where the toilets were.

I resisted an operation, which was recommended by the COnsultant, thinking that I was far too young (still had young children) to have such a bag, Only when the first signs of it turning cancerous did I finally consent to that.

It was a major operation, not helped by the fact that it was messed up and I required three further ones within the following 48 hours and a long stay in Intensive Care. For most of that time I was not conscious, so my older children bore the brunt of it with being told to say 'Goodbye to your Mother, each time you leave her bedside'.

But I did recover and after two months was back at home. Took a good time for me fully recover, but once I did and learned to cope with my ileostomy, I felt so very much better than I had for years. I know I lost nearly a decade through my obstinance.

Thirty five years of living with a bag, very few of my friends and aquaintences know - no reason for them to do so. I have lived a totally normal life for those years, just slightly different in the toilet department. I was an Amateur Swimming Official and this required me sitting and moving around on poolside wearing all white clothing in front of packed spectator galleries. First few times were an ordeal, but all always went well.

Please do not think of ostomies as being disabling or dreadful, they can - as they did with me - give you back your life and there is nothing it will prevent you doing in the future.