Just diagnosed with bowel and liver cancer

[Troyc76]

So the last day of 2025 was spent in hospital waiting for  my ct scan results At 11pm i was told by the dr that there is a high possibility of cancer and has spread from bowel to my liver. Another 3hrs later i was seen by the surgical team advising i need  a colonoscopy and then a further 2 weeks wait for results. Being in shock i told the dr i need to go home sleep im my own bed and have time to process the news. The emotions I am feeling are overwhelming and the thought of not waking up each morning to my wife is heart breaking. I am totally in shock and feel lost and confused. My head is racing to worse case scenarios and I know its only early days but the thought of dying from this is scaring me beyond words. I hope to be an active participant in this website and will be looking forwards to everyone's opinion and advice. 

[Susana_CCNSW]

Hi Troyc76,

First of all thank you for sharing your experience with our community.

It is understandable you are in shock and  feeling overwhelmed with this news, I imaging there are so many things going through your mind right now, trying to find answers or make sense of  it all. 

I whish I had the right words to make this easier for you and I hope other community members can also give you a word of support to help you get through this difficult time.

If you would like to talk to one of our health professionals please contact our information and support service on 131120.

Best regards

Susana

Cancer council

Online Community

[Troyc76]

Thanks Susana I will definitely be reaching out to your support team over the next week. I haven't been able to talk to anyone apart from sms to family and friends. My wife was with me when I found out and she has been my backbone but I feel she is also under  strss dealing with this as well. 

[Troyc76]

well my colonoscopy is booked for Thursday the 15th of January. Was originally booked for mid Feb but the surgeon has brought it forward. Also have amother ct scan booked for friday. Not sure if that's a good sign or a bad sign. Had my pre admission appt today and was basically told to expect the worse but hope for the best. I guess either way I will know what's the next step. My emotions are running wild and to be honest I am scared of getting the news its terminal. I have so many plans with my wife I dont want it to end this soon. Anyway I will update once I have further news 🤞 

[Troyc76]

Well latest update had my colonoscopy this afternoon. Worse news possible, they found a 10cm mass in my colan and they are fairly certain its bowel cancer. Now waiting to hear from the surgical team to see if they can remove it or look at chemo or radiation treatment. I guess on one hand I am glad I know what's going on but on the other hand its a lot more serious than I was hoping for. It sucks but it is what it is. Time to make the most of my time left and life each day to the fullest. But also time to fight this thing with everything I have as I dont wanna die just yet. I have so much to live for and so much more i want to do 

[Milo01]

Dear Troyc76,

 I am sorry you didn’t receive the news you were hoping for.

All I can offer to you in this time is to try and take it one step at a time. For me, I just needed to know the next step. Trying to go three steps ahead wasn’t possible,as I didn’t know what they were yet. I couldn’t organise anything or try to prepare myself for everything. Just the next step that I knew about.

It is hard to not imagine all the scenarios and to zero in on the worst. It is good to have mentally prepared yourself for all things as to not be shocked if you hear those words. But you also need to be able to have moments where your mind can just be quiet. And still live the daily life that is required before you get a diagnosis or confirmation. Our minds can only deal with a certain capacity before they shut off to protect itself. And until the words are actually spoken to you, try not to react to them just yet. Harder then it sounds. Waiting is so hard. But it can be emotional energy that can be used elsewhere,  until you have been specifically told what is happening. But I can completely understand why your mind would be going there. And all your thoughts and feelings are very valid.

I agree, that even though very much unwanted, in a way it is better to know what is happening than not at all.

But you sound very positive about wanting to fight and have gratitude for everyday. I am cheering you on.

Please take care of yourself now and going forward.

These are my opinions or views. I hope I haven’t upset you with any of them. That is not my intentions. I just wanted to reply back and let you know that you aren’t alone.

Milo01

[Troyc76]

Hi milo01, thank you so much for your kind words advice and support. Everything you have said makes perfect sense  and is exactly where my head is at. I am taking each day as it comes and now almost at the point where I have accepted the outcome but not the ending. The fight begins as o am not letting the thing win. You made a good point of allowing my mind to be quiet and I am looking at different options to make this happen.

Once again thank you for your kind words it means alot. 😃 

[Milo01]

Hi Troyc76 again,

Thank you for your kind reply. I am glad you are being proactive for yourself.

It is a small consolation, but I think the person diagnosed, always deals with it much better then they think they will or other people around them might. There is a strength in all of us that we didn’t know was there. Can’t possibly think is there. Until we need it. Then we seem to call on it in our time of need or distress. We are just much stronger than we ever thought.

And you already have a fire inside of you to keep moving forward. I truly admire that.

Still cheering for you.

Milo01

[aumaum80]

Hello, I want to come in and be a source of encouragement. I want to say that you are not fighting alone. These days, medical advancements are really good, and many types of cancer have a chance of being cured. I wish you strength and want to be your supporter. Thank you for the updates and for sharing your story.😃

[Troyc76]

Thank you for your kind words. I am in the waiting stage to talk to the surgeons to find out what the next steps are. Once I have a plan I feel that i will calm down and be able concentrate on the positives instead of constinately thinking of the negatives. Once again thank you for your reply it means alot 🙏 😊