Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: GeordieGirl on April 02, 2015, 05:20:53 AM
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Just when I thought my sleeping was getting back on track, I've had the most awful night...
Last week I had a colonoscopy and biopsy and they called me back yesterday for a repeat so they could take a more in depth biopsy. I had a call from the nurse a couple of hours later as now they want to do a CT and MRI scan. I've to go back in at 9am today to have my blood taken, hopefully the scans will be arranged in the next few days.
Google really can be the enemy on these things....a stray onto the NHS site last night claims that MRI scans are used to see if and to where the cancer has spread. Erm, that's really not what I want to hear. I'm so, so hoping this is just ultra caution on behalf of my hospital. I've spent a night quite terrified about it all, and gave up trying to sleep at 4am and so have been sat in bed working. I'll ask more questions when I'm back in the unit this morning but at the moment I'm feeling quite sick with the thought.
I do have to say my local hospital, Stepping Hill in Stockport, are superb (making up for my shower of a GP surgery) so I'm using that thought to convince myself this is just a belt and braces approach....
GG x
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Hi GG
did they say anything last week when the tests were performed ?
I think doctors are quite geared up to saying if they suspect something bad to keep you in the picture , let's hope they are just being over cautious
Lots of hugs and positive vibes sent to you
Xx
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Hi GG
did they say anything last week when the tests were performed ?
I think doctors are quite geared up to saying if they suspect something bad to keep you in the picture , let's hope they are just being over cautious
Lots of hugs and positive vibes sent to you
Xx
Last week they found something but the doc couldn't work it out. They took a biopsy and called me on Monday this week to go back in for another colonoscopy and bigger biopsy (yesterday). I did question the nurse when she called me yesterday afternoon but she simply said they don't know yet...
I've just been in (and out very quickly) to get my blood taken but it was simply a nurse from the endocrine department testing for urea and electrolytes and he didn't know much more.
I'm feeling a bit more rational now, at 4 am everything looms so much larger and scarier. I'm going to fill the Easter weekend with as many nice things as possible as a distraction and try and keep an open mind. Oh and ban the search 'cancer' from Google!
GG x
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Try not to panic. It could just be polyps (you can get the most places in the body).
I had a similar scare when I had a scan for gallstones and something was found. It did mean though that I had to go back at at regular intervals over 2 years plus. The only way make sure gallbladder polyps are not more sinister, is to re scan to check they don't grow.
I was able to forget about it most of the time until my scan day came up, but got the all clear in the end.
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Thanks Rosebud. They did think it was a polyps originally but it's not proving typical and they don't like the look of it. That said, I have to remind myself they didn't jump up and say "Oh my God" when they found it, it was more a case of scratching their heads. The first biopsy was inconclusive, no results back from yesterday's yet but the doc was concerned enough to request scans.
I'm feeling much more pragmatic about it today. I had a similar scare over Christmas with a breast lump and the hospital left no stone unturned. It fortunately was a cyst rather than anything more sinister but the treatment was definitely belt and braces. I'm hoping that's just the way they work it there and err on the side of caution.
GG x
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I think you are right, they are just being very thorough and covering all the bases.
Hopefully you will get some good news soon. :hug:
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Hi GG
did they say anything last week when the tests were performed ?
I think doctors are quite geared up to saying if they suspect something bad to keep you in the picture , let's hope they are just being over cautious
Lots of hugs and positive vibes sent to you
Xx
Last week they found something but the doc couldn't work it out. They took a biopsy and called me on Monday this week to go back in for another colonoscopy and bigger biopsy (yesterday). I did question the nurse when she called me yesterday afternoon but she simply said they don't know yet...
I've just been in (and out very quickly) to get my blood taken but it was simply a nurse from the endocrine department testing for urea and electrolytes and he didn't know much more.
I'm feeling a bit more rational now, at 4 am everything looms so much larger and scarier. I'm going to fill the Easter weekend with as many nice things as possible as a distraction and try and keep an open mind. Oh and ban the search 'cancer' from Google!
GG x
It's much easier said than done, but you're right to keep yourself busy.
Nothing on the same level really but I always worried when further tests were wanted and realised that I was wasting time worrying over it because until results confirm something there's nothing I can do and will deal with it, as it comes
Age 40 I suddenly developed palpitations, first search led me to COPD, embarrassingly I went into work and said I think that's what I got, results came through as arrhythmia
A breast lump, I told same boss that I think I have cancer, scan revealed breast tissue had formed the lump (strange thing is on both of these I didn't tell my daughter until I found out results were clear and she ballistic at me for not telling her at the onset)
Googling is handy, but can scare the living day lights out of us
I really hope you can try to relax over the weekend
Xx
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I had an almost identical experience a few years ago, and if its any comfort the eventual diagnosis was diverticulitis - like you I was in a major panic at the time convinced they were hiding something from me. It does annoy me that we are put through such things - in an ideal world information should be given at all stages so the patient doesn't panic unnecessarily - what is "routine" to doctors and such isn't routine to the patient - and human nature being as it is we mostly think the worst! Fingers crossed for you x
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Hopefully the hospital are just erring on the side of caution. Try and enjoy the Easter weekend without worrying too much - and no more DR GOOGLE!!!
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I agree! Stay well away from Google! It's so difficult to tell the good information from the dodgy and downright wrong. Good luck. It's true; hospitals always have to err on the side of caution.
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Age 40 I suddenly developed palpitations, first search led me to COPD, embarrassingly I went into work and said I think that's what I got, results came through as arrhythmia
A breast lump, I told same boss that I think I have cancer, scan revealed breast tissue had formed the lump
Sort of along the lines of "guess what I'm dying of today?" :) (Sorry but that tickled me). I do feel a little like that as I had a cyst just a few months ago and my partner was devastated when we first thought it cancer, he's devastated again but I do worry about crying wolf on this in case he starts to think I'm hypochondriac. I'm not, I've had 47.5 years with nothing worse than chicken pox, it's just these things seem to come at once.
Thanks for all the reasurance everyone, I'm feeling much more positive now.
GG x
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I was embarrassed!
The most recent one was my knee last October it stated hurting (still does) and they tested me for RA, I went on good ole google and yep I had the symptoms. My partner said to stop telling myself I've got what they're testing for
So now I put everything down to menopause, even my eye and burning mouth thing !
I'm getting better at dismissing bad things , honest xx
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I have to say I actually feel well and am not paranoid, it's the medics that seem to have taken charge of this and sent me for one test after another. I've had a little rectal bleeding which I mentioned to my doc in passing and suddenly I'm having Stockport's NHS budget splurged on me (obviously the start of the financial year!). I've had an MRI scan today which I really didn't like - far too claustrophobic - but it was over in 25 mins so not a great hardship. CT scan tomorrow then we're off to Switzerland on Friday which will be far more painful - 5 nights holiday with my Teenage Girls, ugh. ;)
It has terrified me that I've been sent for so many tests but along the way I'm finding quite a few people who've had similar scans for every day type issues - my mind had immediately connected them to the big C.
No doubt results will be back next week sometime and I'm hoping that whatever the issue is, it's something easily resolvable - and I can go and find "something else I'm dying of today" ::)
GG x
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It's best to get it all checked out, for peace of mind if nothing else.
Have a great holiday and let us know how you get on.
Honeybun
X
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I came home from my Easter break to a letter from the gp surgery saying "due to our recent chat about me worrying about my heart' she's written to the cardiology dept and they want to see me
I've not had a chat about me worrying about my heart
I told her I don't like the palpitations but had my heart thoroughly checked out 3 years ago when the peri symptoms started . And categorically told her I'm not at all worrying about my heart as I know why I'm having them, just that I don't like them, so so far I've collected the following hospital appts (again)
Tissue specialist
Eye specialist
Cardiologist
I'm sure soon I'll be off the ENT again soon as the tinnitus is playing up and of course the bone dr (mind is mushy over the names lol) as my hip and back is constantly hurting and maybe the vagifem will prevent me from seeing the bladder dr
Xx
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Are you swimming to Switzerland 'cos flights are in disarray, probably much more worrying than anything the Hospital can throw at you ;)
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I came home from my Easter break to a letter from the gp surgery saying "due to our recent chat about me worrying about my heart' she's written to the cardiology dept and they want to see me
I've not had a chat about me worrying about my heart
I told her I don't like the palpitations but had my heart thoroughly checked out 3 years ago when the peri symptoms started . And categorically told her I'm not at all worrying about my heart as I know why I'm having them, just that I don't like them, so so far I've collected the following hospital appts (again)
Tissue specialist
Eye specialist
Cardiologist
I'm sure soon I'll be off the ENT again soon as the tinnitus is playing up and of course the bone dr (mind is mushy over the names lol) as my hip and back is constantly hurting and maybe the vagifem will prevent me from seeing the bladder dr
Xx
Damn, I'm feeling a little left out, I've only had two departments (breast and bottom). What can I think of next I wonder?
Funnily enough I mentioned on a FB group about menopausal symptoms and a friend ticked every box. In 18 months her doc has sent her for every test imaginable and she's had various treatments for individual problems but not once has the doc realised it could be a simple case of her hormones....hm. She's heading back there this week.
It's reassuring to be sent for the tests (whether needed or not!). My partner's sister in law died three weeks after finally being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, she'd been going to her GP for over a year because she wasn't feeling well and it was missed. I'd much rather break up my week with a regular trip to the hospital than be one of the wrong statistics.
The more I read about it all, the better I feel, it's reassuring to hear we're competing in our lists here :-) (and still walking around with a pulse!!)
GG x
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Are you swimming to Switzerland 'cos flights are in disarray, probably much more worrying than anything the Hospital can throw at you ;)
Fortunately we haven't had any problems with flights this week and have had some large groups travelling out on holiday . Let's hope it's not my flight that ends up the exception ...
GG x
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Joking apart I do agree, maybe I'm blaming every ailment in this damn menopause and it is good we are getting checked, I live in hope that maybe this time round one of the depts refers me to someone who can sort my hormones out
Good luck with the trip xx
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GPs need to check symptoms as a separate issue 'in case'!
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A lot of aches,pains and uncertainty over the health issues are not just confined to women. Some of the problems we have are down to the aging process.
My hubby has the foggy brain, the aches and pains, the worrying about health issues.
Guess in some departments we really are all the same and hormones can't be blamed.
Honeybun
X
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A lot of aches,pains and uncertainty over the health issues are not just confined to women. Some of the problems we have are down to the aging process.
My hubby has the foggy brain, the aches and pains, the worrying about health issues.
Guess in some departments we really are all the same and hormones can't be blamed.
Honeybun
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Men's hormones also decline with age and in fact HRT for men preceded female HRT by several decades, but early treatment was an unmitigated disaster - a synthetic testosterone, methyltestosterone was pushed forward as a replacement for real testosterone. After a few years of taking this anabolic steroid drug which was totally alien to men's bodies, many of the men developed liver diseases, cancer and heart disease. Many died as a result.
A little like the WHI debacle, this then lead experts of the day to state ALL testosterone replacement was deadly, even comparing natural testosterone to it's anabolic steroid synthetic replacement is like comparing water to pepsi. Bio-identical testosterone is now approved ...it took a while but they finally got that right. It's likely though a lot of men probably don't go for help, or if they do, their doctors are still scared off by the health issues from methyltestosterone.
At least female menopause is widely recognised even if not so widely (well) treated....
GG x
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:thankyou: men's hormone levels certainly 'drop off' as they age ::)
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Update....
After three biopsies, one MRI and a CT scan, it's been confirmed it's stage 2 bowel cancer. Bugger. It's still early and so it's treatable, but needless to say the diagnosis has floored me a little - this isn't me, I'm fit, strong and healthy and haven't had anything worse than chicken pox until last autumn. It just doesn't seem real.
My consultations to date have all been at Stepping Hill hospital in Stockport which has been exemplary - the first biopsy showed negative but the consultant wasn't convinced as he also saw the photos (now THOSE photos would have beaten all the selfies on FB! Inside as well as out). The second biopsy was on the cusp so he did the third himself under general anaesthetic and made sure he took a large enough chunk. Thank God he did.
Having read for hours and hours about hormones and realised how little some (particularly my own) doctors know about these things has actually given me the confidence to question and challenge where the bowel cancer's concerned. The consultant's recommended strategy doesn't suit me and after probing there are alternate solutions available, one which is fairly new to the UK but has been used in France for 40 years with excellent results (contact radiotherapy). He's agreed to refer me to a specialist cancer centre at Clatterbridge on the Wirral for further discussion and hopefully treatment there. In the interim I'm making radical changes to diet and lifestyle to give my body its best chances.
On the plus side, I got the hormones sorted and underway, hopefully this one will be rectified too.
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I'm so sorry to read this. I wish you everything of the best with your treatment. As you say, seems you do have to do your own research to take control of how you wish to be treated.
All the very best.
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Hi GeordieGirl,
I am also so sorry to read this. As you say, you have had excellent treatment so far, and I can tell that you will ensure that you continue to do so with all your thorough research.
I really wish you all the very best and please let us know how you are getting on.
Jenna xx
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:hug: :hug: :hug:
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Hi GG
Sorry to hear your news hunni :(
It does sounds like you have a fab hospital with caring doctors :) Lots of hugs coming your way ;)
Keep strong xxxxxxxlizxxxxxx
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Thanks for the warm wishes all. It's been found early so the treatment is effective, I'm just hoping to be able to avoid the radical approach my Stockport consultant favours - a kind of whip it all out then it won't bother you again type of thing. I do actually need my bowel so would prefer to keep as much as I can of it as possible, and really don't want it coming out of any other orifice than the one I'm used to. Fortunately the specialists agree.
The journey starteth here. Hopefully it will endeth just as quickly and cleanly and I'll be able to bore the socks off everyone raving about the new treatment and how " it's changed my life for the better " (a girl can hope!)
GG x
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I had been thinking about you as we hadn't heard from you.
Good luck with everything, your attitude is amazing and I hope everything goes as planned.
Keep posting.
Honeyb
x
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GeordieGirl
I am so sorry, I have been thinking of you and worried when you hadn't been on here
I don't know what to say, only that your excellent approach to things and understanding of what they're doing will definitely help
Take care of yourself (which I know you already do) but don't work so damn hard either
Lots of love n hugs to you xxxx
Annie
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Hello GeordieGirl.
I was doing my usual daily check in to the forum and just had to comment on your post.
My neighbour also had bowel cancer five years ago and had an operation to remove part of the bowel followed by chemotherapy. She coped well with the treatment, kept all her hair and in fact looked well! She made a full recovery and all her subsequent check ups have been fine. She was 50 at the time of her diagnosis. I mention all this to reassure you that there many success stories with this illness but as they are less dramatic they don't always get the attention they deserve.
I wish you well in your treatment and recovery. Keep us posted as we will all be here to support you.
I am now off to cast my vote ( for the NHS, sorry if that's being political! )
Take care.
K.
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GeordieGirl - Sorry only just seen this thread.
I have responded on your other (would you go back)
Really hope all goes well.
The main thing is you are getting treatment now and from someone who sounds to be caring and competent.
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Hi GeordieGirl I'm so sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I was in your position two years ago but mine was ovarian not bowel cancer so I do know how you feel. My husband is from Chester and says Clatterbridge has a good reputation so you'd be in safe hands there.
I love your attitude to your treatment as I was exactly the same. I did a lot of research and reading up about my disease and it was very illuminating. Treatment varied from hospital to hospital and from country to country. My own consultant fed me misinformation and many other women have had the same experience. In a way you have to become your own doctor and take control of your situation according to how you wish to live your life. I have done this and have never regretted it.
Thinking of you.
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well done on taking control ……. my breast Consultant insisted that I made lists of questions each morning but because he explained it all clearly and with a positive attitude, I never needed the list! Keeping communication open between the different 'specialists' can help too, ask, ask, ask ;)
:tulips2:
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Sorry about your diagnosis GG. Positive thoughts coming your way. :bighug:
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Lots of love n hugs from me xxxx Lindyloo
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We will walk with you all the way if you need us to ;)
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Hi GeorgieGirl - sorry to hear about your diagnosis but so pleased that you are being listened to regarding contact radiotherapy. I'd read about this on the beatingbowelcancer website when a friend was waiting for his diagnosis. It does sound a good option.
Taz x
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So sorry to hear this news GeordieGirl - I haven't been on the forum for a couple of days. All the very best with your treatment and having such a positive attitude as you have will help enormously in how quickly you recover. You'll be back in your VW in no time!
Also Babylon Burning - so glad to hear from you and that you are OK - I remember your diagnosis and don't remember seeing a post from you since then ( I don't manage to read all posts) so I was wondering how you were!
Hurdity x
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I too had been thinking of you and wondering how you were - so sorry you have to go through this, your attitude is fantastic, wishing you well with everything x Good to hear you have the hormones sorted.
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Dear GG
Just wanted you to know that my best friend went through this about 5 years ago after surviving breast cancer five years previously she then got bowel cancer and was heading for a colostomy when her oncologist from her breast cancer days heard her name mentioned at a multi disciplinary team meeting !! He spoke up for her and said he would see her at clatterbridge as he was the lead specialist In this new treatment. Anyhow he saw her his name was Sunny Mynt and he had treated a few patients with this treatment and was really hopeful. The therapy is called pappilon therapy he advised her to read this book called 'saving my arse' which was fab. Anyway the rest is history she had the treatment and is 5 years clear from that all behind her !!!so don't worry you will be fine for sure . If you want to pm me I can passion my friends number she will gladly reassure you xxxxx
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What a lovely post Jane. Just to say the guy you mention is Professor Arthur Sun Myint and here's the link to the book "Saving My Arse: Bowel Cancer: A Survivors Story"
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0955903629/menopausema0e-21
Taz x
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Sorry to hear about your diagnosis but you seem to be handling it well - guess we never know how we're going to react until it happens to us.
:foryou:
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:foryou: all!
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Hi Taz yes that's the one he is amazing my friend goes to his open evenings and supports other people going through treatment it is amazing the book is fab too x
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Wow! Thanks all for the messages, I'm feeling rather loved :-)
Jane, that's exactly the treatment my consultant has referred me for. It's pioneering in the UK (only 4 centres offer it) but it's been used in France for 40 years. It would be great to chat to your friend if she's willing?
I'm off to Greece tomorrow for a week, the consultant said to continue with the break as I need it. It'll give me more time for reading and researching as well as some natural vitamin D. I get the collywobbles when thinking about the treatment so only do so when I'm reading about it - the rest of my time is filled with busy stuff / nice stuff / kiddy stuff or food. (Or sex - another good distraction :-) )
Here's hoping I can come back to this thread in a few months time with a squeaky clean colon and a clean bill of health.
Xx
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Xxxxxxxxx
Have a lovely time
Xxxxxxxxx
Annie
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Enjoy your hols GeordieGirl and hope you have lots of sunshine and relaxation :)
Hurdity x
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Don't read whilst you are away ;) - sit back, relax, dose, slap on the sun-tan lotion …...
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Many years ago when mailing lists were in fashion (in the mid 90's) I started a list for cancer patients, their friends and families. I was diagnosed myself with
cervical cancer around the same time and needed an outlet that didn't include my own family and friends. It didn't take long to realise that I was not the only
one who had problems talking to my loved ones about my own fears and worries around the disease, and I had more than 500 members at one point.
You mentioned in another post that you were feeling just fine with no symptoms and that it almost made you feel a bit bad. One of the members I had on my list was
diagnosed with ovarian cancer and she described the same thing. No symptoms and since she knew that ovarian cancer was suppose to be (and usually are) very
painful and difficult to handle, she was filled with guilt about her own situation since her life didn't change much.
To me cancer was a trip of a lifetime that I don't want to do again, however being a survivor also made me realise that a diagnose doesn't always mean that there is
no way back. But yes, it's a shock when you sit there with your doc and hear him/her say the C word. Personally I can't remember a word that was said to me that
day and I regret that I left my best friend sitting in the waiting room when the treatment was discussed. I had my diagnose over the phone (which was against their
own regulations I found out later) a couple of days earlier.
I hope your trip to Greece will give you some time off all this. Sometimes a change of scenery can be a good thing :)
Take care,
Christa
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Thanks Christa! Talking to others gains empathy usually ;)