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I went for a colonoscopy on 27th January after a year of waiting for one. I’ve now been diagnosed with a stage 3 rectal cancer with no spread. My consultant tells me I will need chemotherapy & radiotherapy to shrink it before he can remove it. However I’ve still no date to start my treatment and I’m getting more anxious with every day. Anyone else experiencing these kind of delays to start their treatment

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help me here, I really do appreciate it. If TMI follows I apologise in advance. This past year Ive been experiencing severe pain in my right groin area which bores through to my lower back. The pain radiates down my leg and up into my collarbone and arm into my fingers. I suffer badly with thyroid and thought this may be the reason for a lot of my symptoms and issues. Unfortunately, in November I passed alot of blood through my back passage and my doctor referred me for an urgent colonoscopy which I underwent in the latter end of December. I underwent an endoscopy and colonscopy under twilight sedation. I have no recollection of the endoscopy but the colonscopy is quite vivid, it went on for over two hours. Apparently I hadn't completely evacuated my bowel and my ascending colon could not be examined. The gastroenterologist located ten polyps on my colon which they removed one in particular I could see they attached two clamps, it appeared to be larger than the others and bleeding alot. Two biopsies of my rectum were taken, two from my stomach and the polyps that were removed. The doctor said that she would make an appointment to investigate the remainder of my bowel in 3 months time and will see me every 6 months thereafter. Unfortunately I didn't get to speak with anyone after the colonscopy and I can't get through to the hospital. My GP received notification that the biopsies were taken and they mentioned histology. I haven't received any results yet and have been doing alot of research and I'm beyond worried at this point. In the colonscopy I could see on the monitor the polyps that were found were flat. My bowel has been causing me a great deal of pain and I am extremely constipated. It feels like there is some sort of blockage as my stools are dry whenever I manage to pass which is very little. My weight dropped by 6lb when I managed to have a movement last week. The pain has become more frequent and intense, my GP has given me pain meds to manage this. I am also on PPI daily. I've cut out all red meat, gluten, sweetners etc. out of my diet. Prior to this my diet was very good. Im fit but not as much as I would like because I suffer with extreme fatigue and dizziness. I have the worst brain fog too & I get extremely & uncomfortably bloated.My bowel movements unaided are probably once every two weeks and I never feel like I completely empty my bowel. My GP has requested that the 2nd part of the colonscopy be escalated and is also going to organise a CT scan whilst I wait for the next appointment. I did ask the doctor when I was undergoing the colonscopy to see me sooner and she said that my bowel had been through enough and I had to rest it. Unfortunately I can't switch off my mind and with the pain I'm seriously worrying as I been waiting for two months for my results. I would appreciate if someone can help or share their experiences with me as I am the first in my family to have bowel polyps and every story I read about them so far really gives me cause for concern.

My dad was recently diagnosed with colon cancer with mestatic liver cancer. Is hopefully going in next week to have tumour removed from colon. Just wondering will he get any relief from symptoms once the tumour is removed and will chemo help with the liver. Really hard times at the moment the not knowing is the worst.

Hi I’m new here My partner got diagnosed with tongue and throat cancer last week, we have 6 young children and both work, his cancer came as a shock like most, he’s awaiting surgery and has. More tests this week, he has become very ill really quickly which I’m struggling with he’s losing weight and is becoming very tired and his pain is getting worst. I want to support him as much as I can, I will be his main carer is there anyone going through the same thing caring for a loved one, I would like to make new friends going through this journey and we could support each other, what other support can I give my partner I’m feeling lost at the moment

Hi, I received a gift from a friend that included a box of herbal tea. In the tea were ingredients like Lemon Balm Leaf, Chamomile, Star Anise, Passionflower, Ashwagandha and Valerian Root. I stupidly drank the tea without thinking. Now I read it could interact with chemo and I'm in a real state about it and worried I've signed off on more cancer for myself. Anyone know anything about these and if I've made a massive mistake that could intimately cost me my life? I only had those tea bags really. I feel like an idiot for not just going for water. Thank you

Hi Guys, Am totally new to this whole journey and just wondering if there’s a forum for people newly diagnosed with breast cancer, post Mastectomy and commencing chemotherapy. I find very limited posts and would love to interact with people in same situation. Many thanks.

My Father is 67 years old and was diagnosed in December 2020 with Advanced Oesophageal Cancer, we are devastated, my family’s lives are in turmoil and my father is trying to come to terms with a death sentence. He could not avail of immunotherapy drugs that are known to help slow the growth of tumours as these drugs are not available to him for the type of cancer he has. What is wrong in this country? Why are we so behind? Why do we let people die without offering them the best possible help and care they need as these drugs could have helped prolong his life. Medical Cannabis is another drug that might have helped prolong his life but you have to meet a certain criteria to avail of Medical Cannabis as it states on mygov.ie, my Father has nothing to loose by trying any of these drugs but he can’t. My Father is not a number, he has a human right to access best possible care which should include medicine/drugs. As I’m typing this my father is dying in a hospital on his own and my family are helpless as we can’t help him. This is for my Dad xxx love you

Are you living with a diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and on the ‘watch & wait’ protocol for at least 2 years? Would you be willing to share your experience in a telephone interview? Cancer researchers at the National University of Ireland Galway are seeking participants to take part in a 30 minute telephone interview.  If you are interested in participating and would like to receive more information, please email c.dunnion.1@nuigalway.ie or phone 085 236 1365.

Hi everyone. I completed 10 years of Tamoxifen in November 2020. My periods had stopped in March 2020 and had been irregular for the past 3 years with breaks between periods of up to 3 months sometimes. They originally had stopped during chemo but returned after I finished treatment and I always had periods whilst on tamoxifen and the oncologist was worried. My oncologist had told me I was in Menopause when they had stopped altogether and was surprised I lasted so long without entering menopause as I was 36 on diagnosis. I finished with my oncologist in November after 11 years. But in December my periods returned and are regular every month since. I am just wondering if my breast cancer was Oestrogen positive and I have no tamoxifen to help with levels is it dangerous to have periods. I had a left side mastectomy but still have my right breast. Would love some advice as I cannot call my oncologist anymore.

Hi I'm 51 in September I had a reoccurrence of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma I've been through rice and I am currently on a trial the outcome of which will decide if i go for stem cell transplant. my question is what have peoples experience of stem cell transplant been like and any advice about preparing for the transplant and recovering. Thanks Liam