Hello all,
New here, but didn’t feel like the introduction was the place to discuss this.
Part of what brought me to the forum and to take the plunge of booking a DSC1 and entering into the world of stalking was a diagnosis of bowel cancer at the ripe age of 33. Nothing makes you realise you need to do the things you want to do and enjoy your time like being told you might not have much of it left!
I’d just like to spread a bit of awareness and share my diagnosis journey.
In Jan ‘24 I had a colonoscopy, after having had around 6 months of bleeding when going to the toilet. Being typical bloke, I ignored it, hoped it would go away although deep down I knew it wouldn’t. After I’d had what felt like a BBC TV crew up there, I was sat down in a room and told that they’d found something “not so good”……..would they say anymore than that? No! I was given the number of the colorectal cancer team and told a surgeon would be in touch.
In February, I was finally told by my surgeon what “not so good” meant. I had a 5cm tumour partially obstructing my bowel, which would require me to undergo an anterior resection. I was told they didn’t yet know what stage my cancer was, and that I should consider “getting things in order” due to the size of the tumour. Not what you want to be told at 33.
In March, I had my operation. A large portion of my lower bowel was removed. Luckily, they were able to rejoin things and I avoided a stoma. I had complications after my operation and an expected 3-4 day stay turned into 10 days of hell.
In May, the histology of my tumour was finally back. My cancer had reached Stage 3B. Thankfully not stage 4 as they had suggested it might be, that said, it had very nearly penetrated my bowel wall, which would have meant a spread of the cancerous cells into my body cavity. They did however find another smaller tumour in the early stages of growth.
Just in time for my birthday, I was started on an extremely aggressive chemotherapy regime. This lasted 6 months until the end of November. I wouldn’t wish chemo on my worst enemy. It really is one of those if you know you know type experiences.
In November I rang the bell, having completed my treatment. I now have 5 years of monitoring.
You’re probably wondering why this new member is posting something like this….fair enough, I probably would be too.
My message to all of you is simple:
Please don’t ignore your bodies. If something doesn’t seem right don’t do what we all tend to do which is brush it off and hope it’ll get better on its own. Please take every opportunity to have screenings and health checkups! Most importantly, maximise the time you have, enjoy life and the world around you.
I was (and will be again) extremely fit and active. I eat a healthy diet, I don’t drink to excess and I’ve never smoked. If it can happen to me, it can happen to any one of you. Cancer doesn’t discriminate!
New here, but didn’t feel like the introduction was the place to discuss this.
Part of what brought me to the forum and to take the plunge of booking a DSC1 and entering into the world of stalking was a diagnosis of bowel cancer at the ripe age of 33. Nothing makes you realise you need to do the things you want to do and enjoy your time like being told you might not have much of it left!
I’d just like to spread a bit of awareness and share my diagnosis journey.
In Jan ‘24 I had a colonoscopy, after having had around 6 months of bleeding when going to the toilet. Being typical bloke, I ignored it, hoped it would go away although deep down I knew it wouldn’t. After I’d had what felt like a BBC TV crew up there, I was sat down in a room and told that they’d found something “not so good”……..would they say anymore than that? No! I was given the number of the colorectal cancer team and told a surgeon would be in touch.
In February, I was finally told by my surgeon what “not so good” meant. I had a 5cm tumour partially obstructing my bowel, which would require me to undergo an anterior resection. I was told they didn’t yet know what stage my cancer was, and that I should consider “getting things in order” due to the size of the tumour. Not what you want to be told at 33.
In March, I had my operation. A large portion of my lower bowel was removed. Luckily, they were able to rejoin things and I avoided a stoma. I had complications after my operation and an expected 3-4 day stay turned into 10 days of hell.
In May, the histology of my tumour was finally back. My cancer had reached Stage 3B. Thankfully not stage 4 as they had suggested it might be, that said, it had very nearly penetrated my bowel wall, which would have meant a spread of the cancerous cells into my body cavity. They did however find another smaller tumour in the early stages of growth.
Just in time for my birthday, I was started on an extremely aggressive chemotherapy regime. This lasted 6 months until the end of November. I wouldn’t wish chemo on my worst enemy. It really is one of those if you know you know type experiences.
In November I rang the bell, having completed my treatment. I now have 5 years of monitoring.
You’re probably wondering why this new member is posting something like this….fair enough, I probably would be too.
My message to all of you is simple:
Please don’t ignore your bodies. If something doesn’t seem right don’t do what we all tend to do which is brush it off and hope it’ll get better on its own. Please take every opportunity to have screenings and health checkups! Most importantly, maximise the time you have, enjoy life and the world around you.
I was (and will be again) extremely fit and active. I eat a healthy diet, I don’t drink to excess and I’ve never smoked. If it can happen to me, it can happen to any one of you. Cancer doesn’t discriminate!
