is my symptoms bowel cancer

Yes! Good news for me to wake up to! You must be sooooo relieved! Horrible day here, maximum 45 with strong winds, etc. and I have to go to a 'training session' for 6 hours. Trying to teach an old dog new tricks are they? Well done again! 

Hi Loush,  Very good news.  Did you haave the colonoscopy and they didn't find anything?  Very good, now you can go on hols.

Godbless,  Daffs

 

Hi Daffs? Sleeping well these days? Hope you're on top of your lot as well. The days are getting shorter! 

Hi John,  Haven't heard from you for a while, busy training were you, for what.  Longest day here Sat. I thought it got dark early, must have been the clouds.  Lot is going OK, everything's in and broad beans are just overflowing my freezer.  That will leave a nasty open space when I do get the rest of plants up. and I don't have anything to fill it with. I'm trying to give the house a good clean.  Feel OK but can't do as much as I used to.  Bed is fine and yes, sleeping to 8 now, but all fresh air at lot helps and don't go to bed very early. Have scans this week and next, so think op won't be far off.  Wish I had more time. Very humid here last few days, need breese. Should rain today. Are you interested in World Cup.  Shame about England.  Think Holland may get it. I'm not watching it, don't have time, but catch the news here and there.  I know Port. and USA played yest. I think.  Don't have results though, probably Port. as soccer is not really USA.  Is NZ in it.  Must get back to work.  Hope you are well.  Take care,  Daffs

Hi Daffs. Scans soon then for you. At least you will know what to expect after they are examined. Hopefully you can get some reassurance. All I have next month is another routine blood test and the regular check up with the surgeon, or somebody. The last one three months ago was over in about 5 minutes. A quick prod and a look at the blood test result, then see you in July. Which is good. They will have a new hernia to admire this time. 

Glad you are sleeping well and getting your lot in shape. I love broad beans, we have them at Christmas, usually popped out of their skins so they are really tender and green. It's too early then for the runner beans. But we get small white turnips in December which are nice.

Not too interested in the football, but keeping an eye on it. Feel sorry for England too, especially as they lost all three tests against the All Blacks and now the cricket test is not looking great either. 

Look after yourself and keep us all informed. Hope you are getting on ok Loush. Any news from Susie? 

Hi John,  Bit confused.  On your mess. it has "about 3 hrs ago", which is time it was received.  It's nearly 8am Tues. here so that would be about 4.30am our time.  Would that be right, get so confused with these time changes.  Yes, NZ are in the World Cup (All Blacks), aren't they, or are they rugby.  See Port and USA got a draw of 2 each, which surprised me.  Then Ureguay was beaten by (?).  Saying here England will do better in European Cup, Eurguay not in it. Long way from World Cup though.  Tennis now, routing for Andy Murray.  Took day off yest. and went with friend to late lunch/early dinner.  Good food and nice to get out, little rain later, so didn't have to run up to lot to water.  Cooler now too.  Hope your apnt goes well.  Will they do anything about this new hernia, or can they. I'm not looking forward to the op.  Had ops before but never worried.  Will prob. be on this thing most of time when get home, not much else I can do. I should be grateful I don't have young children to worry about.  I'm back to work today, house. Take care.  Susie seems to have come and gone and Loush is prob. busy trying to get herself in health for her hol.  Bye, Daffs

 

Hi again. Just a quick one. It's about quarter to eleven at night at the moment here and quarter to midday at your place. So we are 11 hours ahead of you. I certainly didn't write the last one at 4.30 am. Now I'm a bit confused. Anyway. The All Blacks are our world champion rugby team, having won the title at the last World Cup in 2011. There is another one next year. Soccer - we are useless at that game and very rarely make the final 32  at that World Cup. England have just finished playing here in rugby but lost the three test matches. Not by much either in the first two games. By one and five points I think. There was a game where I live but I just watch them on TV. Too cold! They should work out a way to heat the stadium. There is a roof on ours, as it gets colder down South and my city is getting near the bottom of the country. 

This is not a quick one! So I shall try to get some sleep. One thing that is a bit concerning, apart from worrying about blood tests and the hernia which will need repairing, is that I have put on 8 kg since the op! 8 x 2.2 to get to pounds. Don't have a calculator in bed! I don't mind putting on some as I lost a lot and came home looking quite frail, but that seems a bit too much? I seem to have levelled out at about 86 kg, which is still not tooooo bad. Do you know if it's normal to put on weight after major surgery? Must go, it's 11 pm now. Bye. 

Hi John, That would make you just over 13 1/2 stone. Are you sure it's not your big belly hernia. I'd ask Dr/nurse next time you go. Are you fit, walk a lot, sweet tooth or is it beer. My former partner got very big. Ate like a horse, but did like his beer, guinnes, no sweet tooth. Now we've parted, he's just as skinny as he used to be. Looks a bit underweight. As I said the prof. at the lot stayed skinny out of choice and his wife. My Mum too always said skinny is best. But you wouldn't want to be skinny with a pop belly though.

I'm off to the ct scan today, that I'm ok with, it's just the results and mri on Mon. I'm watching my weight now. Think it will be better for surgeon to do good job. When I had my back op I was over weight, even Dr said that. But was in bed 4 mos. previous with pain and no exercise. I must have lost some after . 10 mos. later I was back in for hysterec. on a drip 4 days (that makes diff.) and just turned off food, yuck. I was ok when home, but couldn't eat much and lost lot of weight. But that was 12 yrs ago. I stayed at around 9 until this cancer when I had very acid tum and what I( thought was gastro. and lost well down to 7 1/2 and really looked bad. Now I'm back down/up to just over 8 st

Interesting a worryinmg storey is the mri. When first diag. and did all the scans and told it could spread to liver and lung, I expected to get a full scan to check this. CT and mri were only pelvis. I complained and had to partake in research mri with blue dye to get the full body scan. Separate scans. The spec. nurse called me telling me about these scans and said mri was full body, this was standard. I got a call from that dept. confirming dates but she said you know you will have to have one mri with blue dye. I thought thism odd as seemed first and only one. I have now found out from most people on Macmillan they didn't get any full scans either, not standard. GPs' are to blame about not catching early enough for success. How about liver and lung. All the spec. nurse can say is we don't. I will have a full mri, blue dye or not.

I'm shaking bad now, Thinking about it makes me upset.

Take care yourself. Godbless, Daffs

Hello again. Just to wish you all the best for the scans. Also to say that in my uninformed opinion (!) the Drs should know if the cancer has spread to other organs. My CT scan showed no metastases or spreading so they probably know and you are worrying about what might be in the future, not what is now. Also, blood tests show if there is an increased cancer presence and you would have been told. As far as I can tell, the scan is to see if the chemo has shrunk the tumor which makes things easier. I didn't have time for any of that, it was scan then op 3 hours later. Emergency stuff!

As far as my weight goes, it is a bit too much I think. Not as heavy as I was leading up to the op though, and certainly not what I was a few years ago! About 16 stone. Yes I did drink very heavily, mostly spirits, but stopped completely over 7 years ago. Not a drop, not even a sip of anything alcoholic. Quite proud of that. But I do have a sweet tooth now, and working in a choc factory here does not help! 

So, I'll stop here. You might not read this until after you come home, so let us know what you can if you are up to it. It will probably end with curative surgery, which is removal of the tumour, some lymph nodes and probably no sign of any spreading. 

Bye for now. 

Hi John, Many thanks. I've got it wrong again. I do have a bit of dementa you know. The CT scan is full body, goody. So MRI (usual one no dye) is only pelvis. It all went ok, very quick, more so than before. They do put a dye in the vein which gives hot flushes but nothing unbearable. So that's over and I'm very glad it was full body. How would Drs know if had spread if not full body scan and I haven't had blood test since the radiotherapy, but I guess I will. My diagnoses is T3/4 N1. CRM threatened at peritoneal. Enlarged precarinal lymph node. Surgeon said it has gone thru bowel wall and that is why I had the chemoradio. I'm happy now I know they are trying.

I think you should ask your drs. about what weight you should be. I didn't know spirits made you overweight, not like beer. I enjoy a glass of wine in the evening and it does help the shake.

It's going to rain tonight, tomorrow and next and next. My ground will love it and I'm enjoying the cool.

Wonder what happened to Loush and Susie, hope they're ok.

I see you have badges too! So I guess they don't mind us discussing all matter of things.

Take care and many thanks for your words of wisdom. Daffs

Hi. Just a quick question. Where abouts is the tumour? Mine was called a right Hemicolectomy. And I got T3 N0 M0 which is reaching the bowel wall but not through it. Blocked everything completely which is why it was done immediately I suppose. Hope you can sleep well after your day. You're probably asleep now. O 

Hi John, It's a stenosing rectosigmoid carcinoma with threatened CRM and enlarged precarinal lymph node. Surgeon said on last meeting he needed to see at back, that is outside colon, in order to get clear cut. That is why I had the chemoradio.

Did you have a bag. That's my next problem. Macm. forum say they had one on a pretrial to get used to it. God I hope it's just disposable, can imagine with my shake and I've just washed all bathroom walls!

A fellow on Macm. had T3 and chemo and high intensity radio. Very painful he says but well worth it. All gone, just scar tissue, no op. He's on a research programme at Royal Marsden where they scan every 3 mos, I think, for any poss. reappearance or spread. So far so good. He swears for long wait for op. but his was high intensity. Guess I should get a blood test too as I know it can spread thru blood. I'll wait a bit, maybe they have that in mind. I'm just dreading my meeting with the team when they give me the low down.

The rain started last night. Think I will go to lot, just to weed a little with soft ground.

I'm liking my bed more everytime I sleep in it. Am moving over a little every night to just try and get it even. It's light enough for me to turn it.

Take care, Daffs

Hi. I can see I shall have to do some googling to learn about stenosing retosigmoid carcinoma etc. Working this weekend though. About the bag, no I didn't need one so can't help you there. I'm sure you can use your googling skills too, but don't let it worry you. A person at work was able to carry on normally with his and it was not in any way noticeable. The job is quite active too and involves a lot of walking and climbing stairs. He is about 65 I think. Just a young thing! 

Time for my beauty sleep. Half past ten on Saturday night. Bye. 

Hi John,

Have you followed the discussion 'Is it necessary to have a sedative' ! !

Rectosigmoid I do know is where rectum joins colon. At top, says dr.

Hasn't rained much after all, but hopefully ground will be softer for weeding. Lovely day today.

Haven't done much except clean windows, etc.

Hope you're well. Take care, Daffs

Hi. The discussion with lots of deleted messages? Yes, I was following that! I'm ok. Did as many hours at work today and yesterday as I was doing before I was unwell. Managed ok but tired afterwards. Having 3 monthly blood tests this week so am a bit nervous, but should be ok. Last one was great and I don't feel unwell so here's hoping! Your house must be looking spotless with all the work you have been doing. Best to keep busy I suppose. Have a good Sunday. John. 

Hi John, Just wrote you long mess. pressed wrong button and lost the lot. Just wanted to say wish you all the best with the blood tests. Think your's was more contained and more success. Just have to hope it doesn't reappear or spread. Incidently stenosing is closing of colon and carcinoma is cancer. Think most cancers are. Mine is not so much a problem except the going thru bowel wall and the node. Hope they can take out node with the op.

Have been to lot after hse cleaning this pm. When you can see the before and after, then it's worth it and I can. Washing walls is next best thing to painting. Didn't want to, but get too much involved and original plan goes haywire. Woke this am. thinking I was late for mri on Mon. then realized it was only Sun. Carrots and parsnip (2nd sowing) don't seem to be showing much. Lots of lettuce and spr. onions. Beans finished and in freezer.

I'll close, dinner and bed. King's Speech on 10pm, missed 1/2 hr.

Take care, Daffs

Hi Daffs. You into the scans now? Hope all goes well. I know you will keep us up to date with any news. Loush might be on her cruise? My CEA blood test today was very good! 1.1 which is the same as April. Quite a relief! Hospital appt in about 2 weeks. Bye.... 

Hi John, I'll never get used to this forum system. Was one mess. following other regardless of in or out. Now all out in group and in grouped sep.

Well, how are you. Glad your blood test were good. That's over for 3 mos., is it? Did you ask about your weight.

MRI was on Mon. Jabbed my foot before left and wouldn't have gone if anything else, plus I got bus instead of taxi. Walking around hosp. made it worse and throb. A&E took xray and no break. But can't walk on it without pain. Lot and house cleaning went on standstill. I did go to lot to water yest. and had to do shop. That wasn't good idea either. Can drive ok, Walking around house with no shoes is ok too.

I was called back up to hosp. for more MRIs on Tues. Hosp. got transp. for me. Dr wanted more angles. He must have read scan within hrs of taking it on Mon. and usually it's days. I've heard nothing else and won't until they call me in for meeting. Usually they meet on Thurs. to discuss patients, so maybe I'll get apnt. for next Thurs.

House does look nice, well worth effort. I know all those corners are clean now. Just get eveerything back together before I jab my other foot. Wouldn't have thought jab would hurt so much and so long.

Shame about Andy Murray. Don't think Loush was going on cruise, just hols. somewhere, I've forgotten. But she'll have sunshine wherever it is.

Friend is off to hosp. this am. verticulitis op and she is to have bag. I'll go see her tomorrow.

I'll let you go, Take care, Daffs

Hello Daffs, John, Loush and Susie,

Just wanted to say that reading your conversations (I came across this thread by chance) has been uplifting for me on a dark day.  Seeing how you've shared so honestly and supported each other is so lovely. Your warmth shines through.  

Sending very best wishes to you all,

Papers xx 

Hi, Well how sweet, thank you Papers. Goes on a bit though, wouldn't you say. People come and go and after all this was Loush's original post. I would like to know what happened to Sussie though.

What's your problem, medical that is, if you don't mind me asking.

Someone said on another site that I was "strong and courageous". That's a good uplift for those dark days.

I have to get something to eat now so take care and thanks again for your comment.

Godbless, Daffs

Hi Daffs, Loush, Susie and Papers! Yes, that was a kind post Paers. We have 'talked' for quite a while now about all sorts of things, but the moderators don't seem to object! My latest CEA blood test yesterday was reassuring, no change from April's. Always get very nervous but they are very kind at the Drs and check with the lab then ring me as soon as they know. Test and result are done on the same day. It's been very cold here, maximum of 6 degrees C. 42.8 F if I worked it out right. Bye now. 

Hi John, We are a group, aren't we. But as I said, people come and go.

Got my call from the hosp. yesterday and I'm to go next Tues to see surgeon and medical 'team'. I'll get the scan results, what they intend doing and a date. And I HATE to say 'date for surgery'. I'm feeling so good, almost normal, I don't want to upset 'me' anymore. I think I'm back in the mode of thinking this is not happening to me. But I do know this is something I have to do and that's it. If they op week after next it will be 11 wks after chemoradiotherapy and that should be ok. I just have to keep reminding myself that with all todays technology and good surgeon, I'm in good hands. If this is not successful, there are other things that can be done.

Come on Papers write your post and Susie where are you.

Godbless to all, Daffs

Hi Daffs. Tuesday here now. So when you wake up it's hopefully good news day! Saw Dr yesterday for 3 monthly visit. All very good-BP 120/80, heart sounds good. Said I don't look 'significantly overweight,' and was 93kg on his scales. Much less on mine first thing in the morning, think I'll stick to those! Not bothered about the weight gain, just said it may be because I feel ok and healthy. Hernia, just have to keep waiting.

So, all the best for your medical team appt. You just have to trust these people but ask questions too, as I'm sure you will! 

Hi John,

Thanks for the encouragement, nice to wake up to. I don't think anymore whether I want to or not, just do it. Only question I know to ask right now is, will you do a blood test' I know I've had a full scan, but blood tells more or rather if it's in blood.. I'll prob. have more when he speaks to me. I hope they don't want me in this wk. Foot is getting better slowly. Shoes still hurt after while. Hot humid weather doesn't help as it causes swelling. Lately we have been having sunshine and showers and lower temps.

Great news about you. 93 I think is just over 14 st. Getting up there. How do you feel about it. Is it realy choc. Up early this morning and hrs. before apnt. Busy myself. I'll write later. Take care, Daffs

And? Hope it all went well. 

Hi John, Sorry, guess I'm still in a bit of a shock. It went very well and I can't say enough. First thing he said was 'keyhole' and that's prob. why and when I went into shock. What he's hoping for is keyhole and no bag. He even said 6 mos. fully recovered. He said he will try keyhole but will have to do major surgery if he gets into trouble. and if I have bag it will be ileostomy and temp. I never thought I would have one perm. didn't think I was that bad. It's the radiotherapy and the longer you wait the better, he said. The tumour has shrunk to a smaller size where he can get a good clean cut and all 'nasties' have gone. That is N1 and danger to CRM. Op date is 23rd. I then talked to a Nurse Practioner, or she talked to me. Why I don't know or what she said. Then I met the stoma nurse, who was very helpful. Even she kept saying 'you may not need one'. She gave me a practice bag to try and get used to. Diet is the thing and these bags can leak if too much moisture, no fruit or veg. So that's what I'm trying to do now, stock up in case. I'm asking Macm. for any diet they can give me and am seeing the stoma nurse next wk. on the same day as the pre op assess. I will ask her too. She has told me to eat white bread before bed as that will help to soak up moisture (and I won't wet the bed). I'll wrap myself up in black plastc bags. The one bad thing about that day was weather and my foot. It was very hot and humid. I think the hosp. must have had the heat on. I was tempted to say I'll come back tomorrow. The wait, everyone, not only me. I went to sit outside which was a bit better but the damage was already done and my foot was swollen and throbing. But I didn't feel a thing when talking to the dr. I heard a woman sitting next to me on the way home, talking on her mobile saying 'I'll bring some fish and chips home'. Sounded so good but nowhere near me to get it. I could feel the difference when I got home on the carpet even with my shoes still on.

Well, that's it, I think. How are you anyway. Take care Daffs

Well, that all sounds quite positive! A lot to take in and try to remember. The sore foot and humid weather doesn't help either. But it seems as if things will move quickly now and you will have a great chance of getting rid of it all without any complications. Even if you do need a bag, I am told that it is not really a problem and you can live quite normally while you have it. But sounds like you possibly won't...

I'm ok, an appt with the cancer lot on Friday which should be a routine prod etc. will ask about my weight and diet too. Hernia a nuisance but there it is. 

Might watch the second held of the World Cup final now. Too cold to get up any earlier. Keep up the good work! 

John. 

Hi Daffs. Getting closer. Hope you are ok about everything. You seem to be able to cope with things and probably want it all sorted now so you can get back to normal. 

My 6 monthly appt which was tomorrow has been put off until 5th September! Very disappointing but there it it. However, the good news is that I got a call this morning and I will see a hernia surgeon tomorrow. Quite a coincidence really. I had not expected to see anyone until October as there is a 5 month wait, so there was possibly a cancellation. So, I'm happy about that one. 

Bed time. Take care, John. 

Hi. All the best for your surgery tomorrow for you. Hope you can sleep well. You'll be fine! Back to normal soon! 

Hi Daffs. Where are you? Everything going ok? 

Hi John, Thanks. Well, I woke up and I've had the op! and it all went very well. Op 23/7 home yest.30th. Saw the surgeon very briefly when I woke bit groggy, but enough to See him saying to me 'keyhole no bag'. Amazes me how upset and anxious I caan get, but I didn't know, nobody did. Wish I could speak same for ward staff and all the home help plans the hosp. had arranged for me. I have 2 holes for cameras, 2 holes for surgery and 1 for the drain (tube put inside to drain off fluid in open areas to help prevent infect.) into a bag. 2nd day after op Dr attached to surgeon's 'team' and there were so many, comes to look at wound and dressing. Thought it was a bit early but when he pulled off dressing and it wouldn't seal back on again and he said he would have nurse put fresh dressing on, and it was 4 days of calling for nurse, dr, who passed, all said they would. A nurse came day before I left to take out the drain and dress that hole and very kindly took off the dirty old torn dressings. Only, next day after seeing the surgeon and releasing me, Drs did their rounds and I was lucky enough to get that very same dr. who pulled the lot off again! Someone gave me dressings to take home, right size he says but weren't and I had some I could cut down to size. Did you know they don't stitch wounds now, clips, metal and they look like teeth. I would never let the Dist Nurse go near those, will go back to hosp. They hurt too much now and should come out 5th. I really can't believe what I have done to warrant all this good luck I've had though. I hink I was very lucky to get the surgeon I did and his knowledge and my response came out cancer free. He did say I would be classed as a cured. I'm not convinced completely, maybe after 7 yrs. Have read a lot on Macm. For now, I must get well. All that time in bed has healed my foot.

Sounds like you're doing Good. Thanks for all your best wishes. Daffs

Hi Daffs. Hope you are waking up feeling well and happy! Really good news about your surgery. All your worries behind you. If you ARE still worried about anything, it gets better as the days pass. But everything you were told was very reassuring. Well done! 

I'm ok still. Had confirmation that my hernia will be repaired probably before Christmas. Looking forward to that. Went to see the Urgent Drs on the 20th July as my heart was jumping around and then racing. But an ECG, blood tests and BP were all normal. I think it's happened before but thought it best to check. I will have a heart monitor on for a day soon in case it does it again. But I'm not really worried. Maybe a bit paranoid after the cancer scare. 8 1/2 months ago now. Time flies when you're having fun. Ha ha! 

All the best for a complete recovery. Mine was called curative or curatative surgery which sounds hopeful. Not sure really what it means. 

Hot today, 22 C. 71.6 F if I worked it out right. But very windy with 9 C max forecast for Sunday. 

Bye. Keep the reports coming if you have the time. 

Hi John, I spent 1/2 day yest. on phone and other 1/2 trying to place on line grocery order. So I do spend time doing little things. I desperately want to go out and haven't even looked at my car, if it's still there. Very sorry about your heart mumour, must have been a shock and so soon after the cancer. Hope it doesn't amount to anything. Keep the weight down and exercise. The surgeon said to me before I left, can be considered a 'cure'. So won't come back. But I know people on the macm. web whose have proven otherwise. I think it depends on how far it had gone when they got it and how bad. I do think, from my reading of the macm., those having radio. before op. stand better chance than those having it after. I think I've finally got the med. straightenesd out. Equality of mg to ml on morphine for pain. Hosp. sent bottle with refillable syringe (I can't, shake). GP couldn't get mg right and I only had half of what I should and no effect.. I'm in pain, last proper dose was Wed. am at hosp. I got a 2nd try from GP yest. still wrong, called chemist and told them I'm going to take double. After I explained what got at hosp. and further from hosp. they agreed it was not right dos. I have to take jabs of Clexane, in fatty part of body not in vein, so I could do it myself. But on a little test at hosp. they decided, I couldn't, shake. Getting a good Dist Nurse is the prob. This is for thromb. (blood clots) that can appear and have to be every 24 hrs. most important says the nurse. Dist Nurses have decided 26 hrs would be OK but then that could be anywhere from 9 - 5. Had a good Nurse yest and repeated myself asking if she would come back tom. Now is about 27 hrs. from yest. and I've called NHS who say maybe 4 hrs. There's a small hosp. across road from me, but gp won't consider that.... This is just one of the fallbacks of a tremor. Life doesn't get easier as you get older and more dependant. Better close. Take care yourself, Daffs

Hi Daffs. Just a quick note to hope that you are managing ok and not in too much pain. You might need people to pop in to help you in various ways? Cooking, housework etc? Do you have a nurse to check on you for a while and give the injections? I did those myself, but if your hand shakes of course you can't. I had nurses because of the wound infection, but looks like you escaped that! Good. Nothing to report about me. Waiting for the Sept follow up and news of a routine colonoscopy. And a date for the hernia op. Lots of waiting. Wish I had the money to pay privately but will never have.

Wild night here and snow coming they say. Oh well, the daffodils will be out soon. Your flowers? Must go, it's midnight now on Thursday. Take care, John. 

Hi John, I'm suffering. Always thought keyhole was easy to get over. I do have nurses that give me the jabs for blod clots. Although I didn't get one yest. Don't think it will do any harm missing one. Thjese nurses seems to be qualified and good with the jabs. But other issues, no comment. Like why is my belly swelling one one side, hence the side that won't heal and gives me all the pain. One nurse wanted to redress all the wounds and did, taking all my dressings. All but that one should have been left open to get air. Another nurse and hosp. agreed with me, so I took thjem off. The side that gave me trouble was getting worse and Thurs. I went to shop for more fruit and veg. (trying to keep things running), but I couldn't sit down in thee car without excruciating pain and couldn't go. Out came the lax. which did help. Next morning I had appt at hosp with the nurse but still bad pain, couldn't sit. Called for the Nurse and because I was going to hosp. (they were not scheduled to come). I didn't get the call back as promised. However cab driver put front seat all the way back and back of seat down so I was laying more than sitting and I got there. Nurse took out all stitches and wound had healed ok. Swelling on that side was due to constant constipation pressing on the join in the colon. Dangerous as could erupt. Gave me better lax. and I emptied out when I got home, all night. The point where the stitches were is also where join is in colon and that is where I was getting blocked. Now I do have pain there, expected. But there is a little point inside that sticks out, very sharp! I have an appt next wk for Onc. and Surgeon's clinic. So perhaps I will get answers then. More to worry about. I can walk, lay and sit again now. Few days ago felt my best and went to lot just to look and get fresh air and bit exercise. My favourite rose was in bud again on my last visit before op. and in full bloom on my first visit after op. Saying we've been waiting for you. Daffs, yes. But this rose and all roses are lovely, all flowers. Picked a few beans and tom. almost ripe for window sill. If nurse ever comes today for the shot, I'll go to lot (just look) and get exercise. After I got home yest. exhausted and still in pain, a friend called if I wanted to go to the park with her, Regent's Park! She's just had op for verticulitis but had her daughter stay with her for 2 wks and go to hosp. on visits. That's my friends. Don't understand, think one day good, and you're better now.

Well, will take these lax. if I need them, not to get too blocked up again.

Good, you're ok. Take care, Daffs

Hi Daffs. Hope the last few days have been better for you and you are able to do more. I was wondering whether you might be doing too much too soon? But only you and your Drs can answer that. I was not allowed to drive for 6 weeks and spent most of the first week or more on my bed resting. But of course, I had that infection and the machine which was on all the time. At least you won't be cold. It is awful weather down here at the moment - snow, hail, lots of rain and thunder while I'm writing this! I was worried that I might need another blood test as my cancer appt was put off until early September, but actually got through to the specialist who said not necessary. Quite a relief, as I get very worried waiting for the results. But if I get there early enough, they come through the same day. 

So, best of luck for a complete recovery! 

Bye for now, John.

P.S. It took me quite a while for my bowels to settle. I still don't go 'normally' but maybe that is the new normal for me? It's 9 months now. 

Hi John, Most people on the macm.web have bowel problems after op. That is to say their norm never does come back. I've had the stitches or clips out and the one side is just lovely but the other side where I get the blocking up and swelling although is ok, just hurts so much from the swelling. Keep on with lax. and lots fruit/vag.

Saw Surgeon on Tues. (not mine) and he told me bloods in 3 mos. scans 6 mos., etc. etc. to 5 yrs then cured. I am cancer free now. Asked about the CEA blood test (shows if anything in blood to worry about) and he said yes, later.

Looking forward to hosp.free now. Take time in putting on weight, healing wounds on the bad side and constip. more important now.

Went to see Onc. yest. wondering why as she will probably tell me same as surgeon. But have to respect their system.

Shock again now, I have spot on lung which she can't tell now if nalignant or not and she want to clean up bowel so to speak. As there was a Node it may have left some residue that could be cancerous. All this is cautionary. But she want me to have chemo again IN 2 WKS. My weight came down since hosp. because of the const. and because I'm underweight she will only give me reduced strength chemo.

Firstly I'd like to wait at least another 4 wks so I can regain weight enough for full strength. Then even with full strength it may not work, let alone reduced. Chemo before was not that effective, it was the radio that did it. She says the spot will disappear if cancerous with chemo and if it doesn't then we'll know it's not cancerous. Same I guess with bowel. How about chemo not strong enough to move it and they'll think it's not... Waste of time.

Hope your life is going OK, Daffs