I'm a little bit scared

petals

Hi everyone,

I'm just looking for a bit of reassurance if that's ok.

I have just got back from the doctors and I don't know what to think. I have listened and taken note of all those adverts on the telly, which tell you to see your doctor if you notice any changes in bowel habits. Well, for the past few months I have been "going" (for No.2's) up to 6 times a day. It's not like I have the runs, ie its not liquid, its going properly just too often.

So, I went to see the doc and told her what's going on. She asks about family history, Dad passed away with cancer which started in bowel and spread. Mum passed away 2 years ago, cancer everywhere including liver and brain. Paternal grand father died in his 30's bowel cancer.

Fortunately I have my regular blood tests because of my RA so she checked that and it was ok, height and weight ok, no passing of blood, no obvious lumps, no weight loss. So she says, I think your ok, it's unlikely you have anything sinister. Then she examines my tummy, just to be sure. It was ok at first and then she pressed the bit in the middle and oh boy that hurt, she moved a bit further round and again ouch.

Ok she said I'm sending you for a scan.

Now I don't know what to think. I am trying not to panic but in view of my family history I am a little bit scared. My OH is away on a business trip until Thursday and I don't want to tell him while he's not here. He himself is recovering from kidney cancer which just makes it even more worrying.

I don't know when my scan appointment will be but I hope it's soon, she Said it will arrive in the post.

Sorry, just had to get that out.

Petals x

stickywicket

Petals, you've done the right thing. I'm sure it wasn't easy but you did it and well done! I don't know what is or is not excessive in bowel movements but, if you eat a good healthy diet with lots of liquid, fruit, veg and roughage, I imagine 'up to six times' might well be OK. Clearly your doc thought so until she felt your tummy.

You are lucky that you have such a hands-on GP. Many aren't nowadays but she was thorough. She found a sore spot which might be nothing at all, or might be something. Either way, you will be investigated very quickly indeed and, if there's anything wrong, it will be detected and dealt with soon.

Try not to worry about family history. It might be totally unrelated to that. In any case, medicine moves on all the time, very quickly. Bowel cancer – even if it should prove to be that – is not the fearsome disease it once was precisely because people like you are now wise to any potential symptoms and brave enough to see a doc asap. I know someone who had bowel cancer about ten years ago. You'd never know. He's hale, hearty and in the best of health.

It is rubbish timing given your OH's absence and recent kidney cancer but that's how things go sometimes. Please feel free to talk about it on here as much as you need to. We are always here to listen. (((())))

petals

Thank you stickywicket,

My GP has just rung me at home and said she has asked for an emergency appointment for my scan and it should be within 2 week. At least I won't be on the end of a long waiting list .

Petals

stickywicket

That's very good news petals. It's also very good that your GP is really onto this. I think, together, you'll get it sorted.

petals

Yes sticky, my GP is lovely, she has helped me through a few crisis in my life and I trust her to guide me through this. Hopefully it will turn out to be nothing serious and then I can go back to wingeing about RA lol

I will keep you posted about the scan

Petals x

barbara12

Good for you going to your GP so soon,its no use saying don't worry because you will, but like SW says bowel movements differ depending on what meds or foods you have had..but the important things is you have gone to be checked out...many don't...I really do wish you well and please let us know how you get on (((()))xx

phoenixoxo

Hi petals,

I can't add anything to sticky's and barbara's excellent postings – just wanted to say good luck with your scan

Best wishes,
Phee

petals

Thank you Barbara,

It's helped me today just being able to write it down and tell somebody. When my OH was diagnosed with kidney cancer at the age of 48 I kind of went to pieces. He however was very calm and handled it all extremely well. He is only 6 months post op and went back to work only 3 months after surgery, I am so proud of him.

Petals x

destiny0321

good luck with your scan thinking of you destiiny

petals

phoenixe wrote:

Hi petals,

I can't add anything to sticky's and barbara's excellent postings – just wanted to say good luck with your scan

Best wishes,
Phee

Thanks phee,

I appreciate your kind thoughts, I will keep you updated on my scan.
I should add, I don't actually feel ill (apart from my RA) I just feel a bit odd. Plus I have never before had to get up in the night to go to the loo and I'm getting up 2 or 3 times a night and then again first thing in the morning. Also, my tummy did not hurt until she pressed it so I was quite surprised by that.

Thanks again petals x

barbara12

petals wrote:

Thank you Barbara,

It's helped me today just being able to write it down and tell somebody. When my OH was diagnosed with kidney cancer at the age of 48 I kind of went to pieces. He however was very calm and handled it all extremely well. He is only 6 months post op and went back to work only 3 months after surgery, I am so proud of him.

Petals x

There is nothing better than talking about things and we are always here to listen....its nice to be able to add our support xx

petals

destiny0321 wrote:

good luck with your scan thinking of you destiiny

Thank you Destiny for you kind words

Petals x

charleeh

Sending love & healing. Hope everything goes ok for you. let us know how you get on.

Charleeh Xx

constable

And a very good luck from me. At least you don't have long to wait. I am one that goes about 6- 7 times, or on a bad day even more. I have diverticulitis. Keep fingers crossed that it is something along those lines. Keep us up to date wont you. Bet you cant wait for hubby to be home. Sending you some gentle hugs ((()))

hileena111

Hi
You did the right thing by going to the GP......and like someone said....no point in saying don't worry because it is normal to worry
At least you know now that you haven't got long to wait for the scan so that's something
Let us know what happens
Love
Hileena

kentishlady

Just wanted to say that I hope all goes well for you. Please let us know when you need us for pocket duties. Take care of yourself. Beryl. (((())))

petals

charleeh wrote:

Sending love & healing. Hope everything goes ok for you. let us know how you get on.

Charleeh Xx

Oh you guys are so great, thank you all for your kindness. It really does help to hear such calming words when you're in danger of hitting panic mode.

I have just had an hour long natter with my sister on the phone, of course she has the same risk and the same worries as I have over this disease as we obviously share the same genes.

She said more or less the same as you lovely people. That is try not to worry as it may not come to that.

Thanks again, petals x

Toots

Just adding my good wishes Petal x

Megrose489

Good for you for going to the doc's.

I had a similar experience last year - colonoscopy and blood tests - all of which proved negative. I, too, have a history of bowel cancer in my family. Finally, the doctor decided it was IBS - even though I'm in my sixties.

So, I sympathise with how you are feeling, particularly after your OH's illness. It's good that it's all being investigated quickly and, hopefully, everything will be clear for you, too. Thinking about you.

Meg

stickywicket

Hello petals. I hope you are feeling a little more settled after having a chat about it with your sister. I expect that was quite difficult too but you are really taking the bull by the horns and dealing with all this so well done again!

frogmorton

Hi Petals

Gosh you must be worried....with your family history...even though hopefully all will turn out well.

I am so glad you were brave and went to the GP - so many avoid it and the consequences aren't good of that are they.

Even better your GP has listened and acted on your symptoms. I hope that your OH will be back for you appointment for the scan because I imagine he will want to support you now.

Lovely to see everyone being so supportive too

Love and ((()))

Toni xxx

petals

frogmorton wrote:

Hi Petals

Gosh you must be worried....with your family history...even though hopefully all will turn out well.

I am so glad you were brave and went to the GP - so many avoid it and the consequences aren't good of that are they.

Even better your GP has listened and acted on your symptoms. I hope that your OH will be back for you appointment for the scan because I imagine he will want to support you now.

Lovely to see everyone being so supportive too

Love and ((()))

Toni xxx

Thank you Tony,

When my Dad began having symptoms he was afraid to go to the doctors and ignored the symptoms for months. It was only when he started to lose a lot of blood that he finally faced up to it. He had surgery and we thought that that was he end of the matter, unfortunately it came back in his prostate and spread to his bones. If only he had gone sooner it may have turned out differently. I remember being cross with him or not going sooner, it is hard though when you are worried.

Your support is much appreciated

Petals x

petals

Megrose489 wrote:

Good for you for going to the doc's.

I had a similar experience last year - colonoscopy and blood tests - all of which proved negative. I, too, have a history of bowel cancer in my family. Finally, the doctor decided it was IBS - even though I'm in my sixties.

So, I sympathise with how you are feeling, particularly after your OH's illness. It's good that it's all being investigated quickly and, hopefully, everything will be clear for you, too. Thinking about you.

Meg

Thank you so much Meg,

I am so glad your colonoscopy and blood tests were negative, you have given me much hope that mine will be negative also. I will have to come back then and apologise to everyone on here for causing such a cuffuffle.

How are you coping with your IBS, I hope it's settled down for you.

Petals x

stickywicket

petals wrote:

I am so glad your colonoscopy and blood tests were negative, you have given me much hope that mine will be negative also. I will have to come back then and apologise to everyone on here for causing such a cuffuffle.

:shock: You will do no such thing, petals. You have a very genuine concern and we are here to support you because of that whatever it turns out to be or not be. I hope it's nothing very much. If so, I think we'll all be very pleased. I don't think anyone will feel you made a fuss over nothing.

villier

Hi Petals haven't been on for a few days and just seen your thread, I just want to offer my support as it must be a worrying time for you, we are all behind you so you do not need to feel alone, keep us informed how you go...........tc..............Marie x

frogmorton

Yes Petals

sadly men can leave things too long - fear maybe???

My own FIL ignored his 'ache' for a year....Non-hodgekins :roll:

You know if your tests come back clear we will have a PARTY Never mind applogies it will be celebration time

Take care now and love

Toni xxx