Bowel Cancer

hi Every1,

            plz bear wif me as im new 2 this it all started june 2007 when i started having pain in tummy and bleeding from rectum, Went 2 docs endlessly about it and they put it down 2 IBS they gave me medicines and diet advice :(  ( still in pain and bleeding ) finally doc referred me 2 see a consultant at nearby hospital he booked me in  a Colonoscopy dec 24 2007 told of possible tumours causing resrictions in bowel. Merry Xmas 2 me :(. Since then they have done biopsies which shown cancer. Had CT and mri which revealed a large tumour which is in rectum only.Surgeon enquiring wif specialists about radio/ chemotheraphy. Complication is the restriction-pain make treatment difficult he recommends a temporary Colostomy bag. he wanted 2 do another camera 2 see how much of a restriction there was i had that 2day ( 16 jan 2008 ) he told me i wudnt be able 2 cope wif treatment as things stand he spoke wif radio/chemo specialists and she wanted the results of my camera thing i had done i have appt wif the radio/chemo doctor 18th Jan 2008 2 discuss the next step.When they told me bout the cancer i cudnt take it in maybe it was denial idk i broke down and cried till no more tears came on sunday i think it all sunk in then but i felt better when i saw the doctor at hospital and was told it hadnt spread hich was a relief in itself and also i know wots install 4 me i just gotta stay focused and positive all advice is welcome and i wud like 2 chat bout it rather than hiding in a shell.

A Positive mind is a gd mind.

Thanx. I feel little better getting it off my chest so 2 speak and wif poeple who understand.

Thanx 4 all ure replys. Im almost 38 few weeks time. The 24th dec 2007 was the first time i had the colonoscopy that was 2 find out wot was causing me great pain and blood in stools. As i dont have crohn's ive never needed a scope b4 but 2 answer ure point the scope was not uncomfortable as it sounds.

The doctor warned me i wud feel lots of wind - I warned im not 2 get his face 2 close :)

IrnBruLover
Hello, this is Kitt and I am here for you. From the time the physician tells you  that you have cancer in his office most people do not hear anything said after that. It is like shock, your mind just stops at the word cancer. I am glad you now understand what is going on and what is in store for you.

Please remember you always have the right to a second opinion and any time you go to see your physician, write down your list of questions.  I hope you have a good physician and that you have a trusting relationship with him.

We are here to support you and to listen to you, so don't stop posting.
I am posting the address of a online Cancer Support forum you may find helpful too. Being educated is your best defense. Prayers for you too.

http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,2256,0.htm

Hey there, Hi, good to hear from you.  Sounds like your plan is all set out and now we all pray very hard for everything to work out well.

Your daughter is 12 and you are obviously very close.  I would answer her questions with honesty and let her know you are scared but don't over answer her questions.  She is still young and to much info may frighten her. Reassure her that you have great faith that your will get better as you do have faith  and so do we.  I know the treatment is tough but there are so many success stories and I feel you will be one of the good outcomes.

Gentle Hugs to you and keep posting here.  We are your online family.

Hi Every1, sry not been on recently I have just spent last 3 weeks in hospital

When I went into the hospital 2 have a stoma done they wudnt operate cos i caught pneumonia. I had to have antibiotics thru a drip 4 a week before they changed their minds and decided to do an ileostomy rather than a colostomy.

When I woke up I was in a lot of pain, the stoma was producing a LOT of stuff and filling up 6n or 7 times a night - it even made the bag burst twice one night, and I am very unhappy with the nurses on that occasion - they said that was normal, but 2 days after the surgeon decided to operate again to find out what was wrong. It turned out he brought out wrong part of the bowel so he had to cut off the old stoma and do it again. That done, the doc admitted he done a mistake and I thought omg how can this happen??

Anyhow I got that op and I then got a twist in my bowel omg!!! the pain was unbelievable. It took them almost 4 days b4 they took a xray and found that out :( . Cos the doc done the op again I have a scar (like a laparotomy) going down my tummy which was weeping and has gaps in it now (hubby told me this) I cant bear 2 look at it makes me feel sick. The district nurse came today to change the dressing on the wound she was a bit shocked when she saw it but as they always tell u it will be fine ( somehow i dont believe them ).

Im doing ok at the moment - I just feel a bit tight and uncomfortable but I know this will pass. On Monday I have to go to get a tattoo thing done in preparation for the radiotheraphy. I havent received any dates as to when I start treatment.

Thats the update so far. But im staying positive - it's only thing keeping me sane - but i have all the love and support from my family which helps me a great deal as I have been very emotional when I was in hospital just kept asking myself why me? why cant I just have it straightforward? But you gotta roll with the punches in life, there's no point in saying why me it wont change anything. Anyhow I feel a bit better physically and emotinally at the min.

Take Each Day As It Comes :)

You're being very brave with everything you're facing. I'm glad to hear things are slowly improving - you deserve it!

Big Hugs,

Bev

good luck. stay positive

Whatever you do, do NOT keep this secret from a teenage child! The damage you could do would be far worse than her fearing for your life!
Anyway, a <PRAYER> for successful treatment & a complete cure.
BTW, have they staged your cancer yet?

Sincerely,
Matthew

IrnBruLover
Hi, this is Kitt.  You are in my prayers and in my heart.  I come from a family with a long history of cancer so I have seen most of them as well as being a nurse I am familiar with cancer. 
I think you have a right to be very scared and coming here and talking is a wonderful way to let out those feelings.  Your whole life has changed and you are rising to the change by holding onto your faith and fighting back.
I am so sorry for the mistakes made in surgery.  Please remember to be your own advocate..............and I am so glad your hubby is with you.  I wish there was more I could do for you. I have witnessed some great miracles when it comes to cancer so don't you dare give up. 
Please let me know what I can do for you?
Many gentle hugs coming your way and please know I truly care.
Kitt

I'm so sorry of what you are going through. You are in my prayers and you take care. I hope you beat this we are all in your corner.

Jackie, I am sending you my best wishes and prayers.

take care, shelley

Jackie,

I am so sorry you have to go through this. I hope you feel better soon! Will keep you in my prayers!

-Emma