Hi Sarah, It's all a bit of a shock, isn't it? One minute you might be realtively healthy, and the next your world has been turned up side down. I had a week or two notice after the tumour was found during a colonscopy, before I had a total colectomy. I was in a bit of shock and the waiting tends to play havoc with your emotions and whether you've made the right decision.  Having lived without a large bowel for 6 months, I have no hesitation in saying that the decision to have a colectomy was the right decision for me. I found something as simple as walking as much as I was able to, was key to me recovering physically as fast as I did.   Let me know if you have any questions!   -s ... View more