Bowel cancer - terrified
Discussion
A lot of tears shed today.
My wife (age 52, fit and healthy, doesn’t smoke or drink etc) has been having digestive troubles for a couple of months, now much worse and can’t keep any food down the past week. Went to the GP and with a proper examination the doctor was very concerned. Blood test and some cancer test sent off, results next week.
Emergency colonoscopy being scheduled which I understand should be within 2 weeks.
We are totally unprepared and clueless about this. She does have private health insurance through work.
2 weeks seems a long time to wait. Is it worth trying to get a colonoscopy privately sooner?
Any help advice much appreciated.
My wife (age 52, fit and healthy, doesn’t smoke or drink etc) has been having digestive troubles for a couple of months, now much worse and can’t keep any food down the past week. Went to the GP and with a proper examination the doctor was very concerned. Blood test and some cancer test sent off, results next week.
Emergency colonoscopy being scheduled which I understand should be within 2 weeks.
We are totally unprepared and clueless about this. She does have private health insurance through work.
2 weeks seems a long time to wait. Is it worth trying to get a colonoscopy privately sooner?
Any help advice much appreciated.
Always be really pleasent to everyone you encounter while your getting this sorted but you also have to be unbendingly firm and demanding because time is not a luxury you have with possible cancer.
Of my two close friends who had identical throat cancer the one that survived is the one who didn't take no for an answer and was not fobbed off by NHS doctors in the early stages.
My dead mate was failed by lacklustre care and long wait times until it was too late.
Hassle relentlessly with a smile and sunny disposition.
Of my two close friends who had identical throat cancer the one that survived is the one who didn't take no for an answer and was not fobbed off by NHS doctors in the early stages.
My dead mate was failed by lacklustre care and long wait times until it was too late.
Hassle relentlessly with a smile and sunny disposition.
Tough times mate, I feel for her. My sister had a scary time over Christmas and January as all checkups and preliminary testing suggested she definitely had this. She went for the colonoscopy 2 weeks ago and was found to be in the clear.
Obviously it’s to be taken seriously but take heart that it just might be something less dangerous. Until you know, don’t resign yourselves to the worst case.
Use the insurance to jump the queue if possible because the not knowing is horrible. Plenty of hugs and discussion until her appointment comes through is all you can do.
Best wishes to you both.
Obviously it’s to be taken seriously but take heart that it just might be something less dangerous. Until you know, don’t resign yourselves to the worst case.
Use the insurance to jump the queue if possible because the not knowing is horrible. Plenty of hugs and discussion until her appointment comes through is all you can do.
Best wishes to you both.
Bad times indeed. I can’t offer any specific advice and I don’t know where you are in the country for a specific hospital- but she’s likely going to be requested to have a Covid test and isolate prior to the procedure - ISOLATE. I’ve been going through a bit of rubbish lately and the number of times I’m in the waiting room and the receptionist says to someone coming in (endoscopy unit) “Have you isolated since taking the test?” and you hear “yes, I’ve only done xyz” and they get told to go home and have to reschedule (and therefore delay) is crazy. They could have lied and said they had - but they don’t even do that.
Very best wishes.
Re the 2 weeks - find out the date first as some places are moving at a very fast pace. I actually asked to have one procedure delayed as I needed some head space.
Very best wishes.
Re the 2 weeks - find out the date first as some places are moving at a very fast pace. I actually asked to have one procedure delayed as I needed some head space.
Edited by Petrus1983 on Thursday 3rd February 17:15
I don't think two weeks makes much difference to be honest - it might be worth going private for any treatment, but two weeks for a colonoscopy is pretty quick (assuming it really is).
Interesting that she's going straight to colonoscopy - does she have family history? The symptoms you've described could have any number of causes, but if there's history then it's quite right to eliminate bowel cancer first.
I had colon cancer diagnosed in 2003, turned out to be stage 3 (one lymph node affected) - it was on the right side so my only symptom was anaemia, but it had been there a while. Anyway, hemicolectomy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy did the trick - no problems since, and colonoscopy every two years just to be sure. Bowel cancer is often very treatable.
Interesting that she's going straight to colonoscopy - does she have family history? The symptoms you've described could have any number of causes, but if there's history then it's quite right to eliminate bowel cancer first.
I had colon cancer diagnosed in 2003, turned out to be stage 3 (one lymph node affected) - it was on the right side so my only symptom was anaemia, but it had been there a while. Anyway, hemicolectomy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy did the trick - no problems since, and colonoscopy every two years just to be sure. Bowel cancer is often very treatable.
I would like to add my best wishes for the future. Many cancers are treatable, including the cancer of the bowel. Be positive and insistent, as I am finding in my own cancer, the NHS do provide a first class service. With your private health insurance it must be worth investigating the service that they can offer. Wishing the best of luck and
, should you wish, keep us advised of progress.
, should you wish, keep us advised of progress.
Getragdogleg said:
Always be really pleasent to everyone you encounter while your getting this sorted but you also have to be unbendingly firm and demanding because time is not a luxury you have with possible cancer.
Of my two close friends who had identical throat cancer the one that survived is the one who didn't take no for an answer and was not fobbed off by NHS doctors in the early stages.
My dead mate was failed by lacklustre care and long wait times until it was too late.
Hassle relentlessly with a smile and sunny disposition.
Great advice.Of my two close friends who had identical throat cancer the one that survived is the one who didn't take no for an answer and was not fobbed off by NHS doctors in the early stages.
My dead mate was failed by lacklustre care and long wait times until it was too late.
Hassle relentlessly with a smile and sunny disposition.
TX.
As a positive feedback my father had it last year, diagnosed following a colonoscopy, 5 cm 'lump' in lower bowel, one week of radiotherapy and has effectively now been told it's cleared with just some scar tissue remaining, no sign of cancer left.
Fortunately/unfortunately whilst doing the various CT scans they also found a small unrelated lump on his lung, which has also now been zapped and we await feedback on how that has repsonded.
My main advice is as others have said above... push, push, make a fuss, get names, contacts and keep pressure on them to do their jobs. My father was treated in Scotland and everything seems light years ahead up there with regards co-ordination of treatment compared to what I've seen over the last 5 years down here in South East area with other relatives.
Fortunately/unfortunately whilst doing the various CT scans they also found a small unrelated lump on his lung, which has also now been zapped and we await feedback on how that has repsonded.
My main advice is as others have said above... push, push, make a fuss, get names, contacts and keep pressure on them to do their jobs. My father was treated in Scotland and everything seems light years ahead up there with regards co-ordination of treatment compared to what I've seen over the last 5 years down here in South East area with other relatives.
Personally, I would let the NHS take the wheel. The 2 week wait is a hard limit, chances are it will be sooner.
If you are seen privately it opens a door for results to get misplaced as they will be stored on a separate system and take time to transfer to NHS.
Also if you stick to NHS they will submit biopsies, scans, whatever else is needed immediately after the colonoscopy.
Private healthcare is a great option for non urgent things but for cancer stuff the NHS pays a lot of people to keep the cogs turning. They will have a database of all patients suspected of having cancer and that database is monitored to keep on top of waiting times.
Best of luck.
If you are seen privately it opens a door for results to get misplaced as they will be stored on a separate system and take time to transfer to NHS.
Also if you stick to NHS they will submit biopsies, scans, whatever else is needed immediately after the colonoscopy.
Private healthcare is a great option for non urgent things but for cancer stuff the NHS pays a lot of people to keep the cogs turning. They will have a database of all patients suspected of having cancer and that database is monitored to keep on top of waiting times.
Best of luck.
Had a similar scare last March when I was offered the 60 year old's bowel cancer screening. Poo'd in the pot and was called in for a colonoscopy as something showed up. Colonoscopy wasn't conclusive so had more and more tests until the consultant surgeon opted for keyhole surgery to remove a section of my colon. Keyhole didn't work out so ended up with a 8" scar. Thankfully it wasn't cancerous and now back to normal. Can't thank the NHS enough and bad news is not always bad.
Okay so this is meant with Love.
Your wife will get lots of support, and quite rightly to.
Make sure you get the correct support for yourself. This will help both you and your wife.
I have never gone through a partner having it, but my Mum has had Chemo three times and after the first time i made sure to put effort into my Dad.
If you ever need a chat or a cry to a complete stranger pm me and you can have my number. I don’t make offers i don’t mean.
All the best.
Your wife will get lots of support, and quite rightly to.
Make sure you get the correct support for yourself. This will help both you and your wife.
I have never gone through a partner having it, but my Mum has had Chemo three times and after the first time i made sure to put effort into my Dad.
If you ever need a chat or a cry to a complete stranger pm me and you can have my number. I don’t make offers i don’t mean.
All the best.
Best of luck with it all. One bit of advice I would give is to be careful what you read online. Especially if American based sites.
Write down questions you think of and take the notes with you and ask. Also try to take notes when doctor/nurse/whomever is explaining things. It's easy to get confused, mixed up or think something was said in a certain way that leads you to think something else (especially if you then research stuff on the internet). Should it b something concerning there will likely be charities and support groups you can chat to. These will hopefully be able to point you in the direction of the best documentation and can provide key support.
I think the comment by someone earlier about being pleasant but firm also helps.
I hope it all resolves for you both.
Edit, the post above about looking after you is golden too.
Write down questions you think of and take the notes with you and ask. Also try to take notes when doctor/nurse/whomever is explaining things. It's easy to get confused, mixed up or think something was said in a certain way that leads you to think something else (especially if you then research stuff on the internet). Should it b something concerning there will likely be charities and support groups you can chat to. These will hopefully be able to point you in the direction of the best documentation and can provide key support.
I think the comment by someone earlier about being pleasant but firm also helps.
I hope it all resolves for you both.
Edit, the post above about looking after you is golden too.
Sorry about your news. For what it’s worth, my mother in law had bowel cancer 7 years ago, now in remission. Caught early enough, we were told the prognosis is favourable. They cut out the problem, sew it back together and follow up with a course of Chemo. 7 years on, she’s still clear so try not to panic, and very best of luck.
Sorry to hear of your troubles.
I had a similar experience a couple of years back, and spent a few weeks not knowing what it all meant, and worrying about what it might mean. Fortunately I came through it, and am now fully recovered (albeit with a few changes to the plumbing).
I echo what posters above say about the NHS. I started off with a private endoscopy, but once the diagnosis came I was transferred back to the NHS and I can honestly say that the treatment I received was excellent (and fast). There are also several relatively benign things that could be causing it, so don’t lose sight of that.
If you want to talk privately please don’t hesitate to message me, I know first hand how reassuring it can be to talk to someone else who has been there and come out the other side.
Best Wishes.
I had a similar experience a couple of years back, and spent a few weeks not knowing what it all meant, and worrying about what it might mean. Fortunately I came through it, and am now fully recovered (albeit with a few changes to the plumbing).
I echo what posters above say about the NHS. I started off with a private endoscopy, but once the diagnosis came I was transferred back to the NHS and I can honestly say that the treatment I received was excellent (and fast). There are also several relatively benign things that could be causing it, so don’t lose sight of that.
If you want to talk privately please don’t hesitate to message me, I know first hand how reassuring it can be to talk to someone else who has been there and come out the other side.
Best Wishes.
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