Hi - I have just been diagnosed with Bowel Cancer

[Leeanne]

Hi there I have just been diagnosed with rectal bowel cancer. I have a great husband and 2 beautiful girls. I have more tests coming up and most probably radiotherapy/chemo and then surgery. I find the waiting between all these tests very frustrating and also being 2 hours from the specialist very tiring. Hope to hear from you guys soon. Cheers Leeanne

[survivormom]

Dear Leeanne. I am so sorry to read about your story. I just want you to know that I wish you the very best during everything you have in front of you. And dont keep any emotions inside, let them come out. It can be to much to carry sometimes. I also have to beautiful girls. they was below 5 and 11 when I got ill, and now they are 13 and 19, and I had an agressive Lymphoma and not so good prognoses, but here I am 8 years later, and hope that will give you faith and hope to come through what you are headed against. You gonna fight this !! I gonna pray for you and your family. Hugs from another mom from Norway(Please tell me if there is something you didnt understand, because my english isnt the best, but I try:) Hugs from me to you 🙂

[Leeanne]

Hi there Thanks for your support and all the way from Norway - wow. I'm so glad that you have come through you must be very courageous. I feel quite empowered talking to other people on this sight and not so alone. Hope to talk to you again and all the best. Leeanne

[etacarinae]

G'day Leeanne You are right. It is pretty shocking when you get the diagnosis. I too had rectal cancer and there are a whole lot of issues right there as well. Anyway just a note to let you know that although it is a hard road there are a bunch of us here on the other side of it and we know what you are going through. I have a couple of kids too and it's bloody scary when you think too much about what might happen. For me it was a good reason to fight and believe that I had to get through. Sending you positive thoughts and if you need to talk we are here :) cheers Eta

[Penny1963]

Hi Leeanne I also found the whole diagnosis period to be hard. An urgent crisis for you, but apparently not for anyone else, with plenty of waiting for appointments, tests, results etc. But it did get better after that. Even though in my case the diagnosis was not good, it felt great to have a plan of treatment and get started. Wishing you all the very best for the difficult times ahead. Penny

[Leeanne]

Hi Penny Thank you for your words of encouragement I am trying to stay positive. Looks like I will get a lot of time to catch up on my reading. I am a plan kind of gal but am learning to let go a bit - one of my life lessons I'm sure. I hope you take one day at a time and remember their is such joy in the little things. Wishing you all the best. In light and laughter Leeanne

[Leeanne]

Hi Eta Thanks for your reply. Yes I am finding out all sorts of new words - mostly ending in ..ostomy that I am not looking forward to. Good to know there of those of you who have come out of this. I still have a lot to live for so am not planning on going anywhere soon. All the best In light and laughter Leeanne

[Braveb]

Hi Leeanne, I'm part way through treatment for a sigmoid tumour that had invaded the rectum and have been treated as if my cancer was rectal. I've had chemoradiotherapy and surgery and am now having adjuvant chemotherapy. The period around diagnosis until treatment starts can be stressful. I've met many people who become impatient and want to rush everything forward. If cancer has taught me one thing, it is to slow down, enjoy the health your body now has, celebrate all that is healthy about your body, breath. Good luck with it all, if you want to direct message me at any time with specific questions or thoughts go for it. Ben PS Don't be too worried about the 'ostomy' words. They sound scarier and more gross than they actually are, I have an illeostomy and actually kinda like it 😉

[Mellie77]

Hi Leeanee, I am in the middle of chemo after being diagnosed with stage 2 bowel cancer. It has certainly been a tough couple of months since diagnosis and it feels like it isn't going to end sometimes. However it is amazing how each day comes and goes and you manage to get through it! I have two girls as well - a one year old and four year old. Wishing you the best of luck! Mel

[Leeanne]

Hi Mel I have been to see the Oncologists yesterday and start radio/chemo for 6 weeks in about mid November. I'm off to Sydney (4.5 hour drive from where we live) on Tuesday to see a specialist then back for a pre scan etc etc. All seeming very real now. I have a stage 3 rectal cancer and this should reduce the size before surgery next year. The hardest thing I think will be being away from my family. My girls are 10 and 11 and are handling things remarkably well. There is a councillor at school who is there for them to talk to and we are very open about the whole thing as I don't want them to be scared of the c word. A bit harder for the little ones (like yours) to understand but they are the main reason I want to get through this. How are you coping with the side affects? Any tips for getting through them? I wish you well. In light and laughter Leeanne