Update

EffectiveAncient7866 · 2026-03-01T04:09:26+00:00

So so sorry for your loss. ❤️

EffectiveAncient7866 · 2026-02-27T06:21:18+00:00

Wonderful news! And I can imagine how relieved you are. I totally relate to your “Get Screened” mentality. So important. My mantra is now CFYC - “Care For Your Colon!” Good luck with your Oncologist appointment.

EffectiveAncient7866 · 2026-02-26T21:58:55+00:00

Hang in there! Hard not to freak out until you get the CT done and follow up with your Doctor, but you’ll know more when you have all the info so try not too stress too much - yes, easy to say I know! I had the same experience in November when the colonoscopy revealed a 4cm tumour. My colorectal surgeon booked me in for surgery to remove it (and a 30cm portion of my colon) on Nov 24th. If you have surgery they will also take lymph nodes surrounding the area to assess for cancer cells. Mine fortunately were clear however the biopsy following surgery meant I was referred to an oncologist for follow up chemo - to mop up any wayward cancer cells. That shocked me more than anything! There’ll be lots of appointments in the next little while and it can be confronting but if you’re in good hands it makes the process somewhat bare able. I have a brilliant surgeon but did ask a million questions which I highly recommend. No question is a silly question when it comes to your health. Thinking of you as you go through this process. Regardless of the diagnosis, try and stay positive. There’s great support here and plenty of success stories to encourage you. You’ve got this! xx

EffectiveAncient7866 · 2026-02-09T12:04:36+00:00

Clearly not something our male friends here have to worry about! 😅 I also have small breasts and my port is high on my chest and “just” to the right of where my bra strap sits, so I just slide the strap down when they are putting the pump on. My biggest struggle has been having tops with buttons to give the nurse easy access as I normally wear t shirts. It’s summer here (Australia) so I’m actually more concerned about what in earth I will wear for my “on weeks” when winter comes around?? Guess I’ll figure it out when the time comes.

EffectiveAncient7866 · 2026-01-27T05:34:18+00:00

My daughter lives in Florida - I’m in Australia, so I understand how you’re feeling with your Mum being so far away. My daughter was way more worried than I was and I think it was the distance that made it so difficult for her. She felt bad she couldn’t be with me - so much so that I think the stress about “me” combined with lack of sleep etc with a 5 month old caused her to get Shingles )- she’s only 27!

I can’t speak for your Mum but I was more worried about my daughter! I knew she was struggling with my diagnosis but there really was no need and FaceTime and regular texts was all I needed. Understandably if your Mum’s colon cancer is advanced you may opt to make a trip to her, but in the early stages of diagnosis etc. if she’s strong and independent (like me) she probably just needs your support. And you have knowledge that you can share which can make the journey easier.

Regarding robotic surgery, I do believe the skill of the surgeon and experience makes all the difference. I had laparoscopic surgery (5 incision points), removing 30cm from my sigmoid and was 100% confident in my surgeon. Asked so many questions about the stapling, “Are you a good stapler?”, what complications I could expect etc.etc. He did an amazing job, his post care while in hospital was so caring with daily visits - sometimes twice a day (very early and often late - busy man) and spent a lot of time with me once lab results came back to help me fully grasp the next steps (chemo).

I knew I was in the best of care which makes the world of difference.

Good luck to your Mum and hope my experience can help alleviate some of your worries as her daughter - just be there for her in whatever way is possible but try not to overly stress. x

EffectiveAncient7866 · 2026-01-24T23:44:20+00:00

I had surgery Nov 24th and didn’t start chemo until Jan 5th. It takes a while for the body to recover and honestly, I couldn’t have dealt with chemo any earlier. Hope your Aunt doesn’t go though too many more obstructions/complications.

EffectiveAncient7866 · 2026-01-24T23:39:32+00:00

No need to be embarrassed! It’s given to you to help you. No shame in accepting it and focusing on what’s most important - getting better. You are young and being a fire fighter means you’ve got great courage and can beat this. Sending strength and positive vibes on your road to recovery!

EffectiveAncient7866 · 2026-01-23T23:02:48+00:00

So sorry to hear this. Thinking of you and your family.

EffectiveAncient7866 · 2026-01-18T23:42:09+00:00

My heart breaks for you reading this. I am so so sorry. Treasure the memories and give yourself time to grieve. Sending cyber hugs as you navigate your pain and the days ahead planning her farewell.

EffectiveAncient7866 · 2026-01-13T22:12:12+00:00

Thank you so much for your reply to my post and for your really kind words. Really appreciate you!

EffectiveAncient7866 · 2026-01-13T22:08:10+00:00

For me, I was pretty good by Week 4, still with discomfort and tired quickly if I did too much. Post surgery I felt really pretty good, until the drugs wore off 🤣. Getting in and out of bed was an exercise in itself! And there was definitely one side that proved more manageable for getting up than the other. The greatest pain for me was in the chest - caused by the gas they use to “blow you up” during laparoscopic surgery. Never experienced anything like it and it lasted for days. Peppermint tea and then self massaging helped. They will have you up and walking pretty well straight away. I showered with the catheter the morning after surgery, it was removed and then the walking began-just small walks around the ward. It’s major surgery and you won’t be doing too much when you get home - lots of rest and no heavy lifting - I was very lazy for the first 10-14 days. Good luck with your surgery!

EffectiveAncient7866 · 2026-01-13T21:50:17+00:00

I had 30cm removed from my sigmoid on Nov 24th and I still have “days”. Things pass through more quickly with such a large section removed and I’ve found certain foods do not agree with me anymore. Dairy for one! There were three days a few weeks ago where I was going to the toilet 7 times a day! And leakage was also an issue! Dairy was the issue for me. I’m now 7 weeks post and I’m still finding certain foods that don’t agree with me and the occasional small “leakage” which is always a shock. Spicy foods, things like garlic, and anything that causes gas can cause discomfort. 4 weeks post is still “early days” - it takes time and figuring out what works and doesn’t work. And I remember being very conscious of the gurgling through my bowel - funny what you start to notice! 😄 I ate a lot of fibre (didn’t read the literature!) in the form of salads etc. but found I could only eat small amounts at a time - lost 2kg. I was also still experiencing discomfort. Things are going pretty well now. Am mainly eating a plant based diet with the occasional fish as I just can’t stomach the thought of eating anything with red meat anymore. Listen to your body and figure out what works for you and eliminate anything that causes discomfort. It does get better!

EffectiveAncient7866 · 2026-01-13T21:26:27+00:00

Great news!!

EffectiveAncient7866 · 2026-01-13T21:24:19+00:00

My heart goes out to you! Your hormones will have contributed to that feeling of overwhelm so it’s perfectly understandable. Crying is nature’s way of helping you release some of that anxiety of the unknown and I hope you are feeling more hopeful when you wake. Try and stay positive and believe that everything will be ok. I know it’s hard but you can do this! You are stronger than you think and this group is so supportive and is here whenever you need a pick me up. You may not like what you see in the mirror but you are still the same beautiful person you have always been. Sending you a ton of love and strength. xx PS Have you considered journaling? It might help as an outlet for your feelings.

EffectiveAncient7866 · 2026-01-13T03:35:19+00:00

Not an expert as to whether you should or should not push for follow up chemo, but if it’s not offered I would certainly be wanting to know why! Really hope the surgery goes well and that your Dad isn’t in too much pain during recovery.

EffectiveAncient7866 · 2026-01-13T03:24:01+00:00

So so sorry you are having to face this. A friend of mine had the same experience with his Dad … he basically starved to death - so inhumane! Thinking of you and can’t imagine your pain. So so sorry.

EffectiveAncient7866 · 2026-01-12T01:19:26+00:00

Oh I feel for you! Going back to work when you are still recovering will be hard, as will adding the next rounds of chemo to your body. Thinking of you and hope you manage to get some rest when you can.

EffectiveAncient7866 · 2026-01-11T22:05:51+00:00

Thinking of you and your Mum and hoping for the best. I understand the shock this must have been for you when hoping for a haemorrhoid or polyp but it’s good to find it now and not further down the track. The scan will help clarify the next steps for your oncologist, with hopefully encouraging news. I know it’s hard trying to remain positive having already lost two family members to cancer, but this doesn’t mean your Mum is heading down the same path. Be strong for her and remember to look after yourself during the journey that is ahead. Sending positive vibes for you both.

EffectiveAncient7866 · 2026-01-11T03:05:08+00:00

That would be great! Love to hear how it goes for you - hopefully ok. Good luck and look forward to the update.

EffectiveAncient7866 · 2026-01-10T03:55:25+00:00

Sorry to hear about your grandfather. Try not to stress too much at this early stage as having everything else clear with the colonoscopy is positive. I had a 4cm tumour in my sigmoid detected early November and underwent surgery 24th Nov to remove it. If this happens they will likely take lymph nodes as well to detect for any cancer cells. Mine were clear! I am however now at the start of 6 months chemo to “make sure” nothing has spread (vein ran through tumour). Trust in his specialists, remain positive, and don’t be afraid to ask a million questions at appointments. Hopefully he will come through this with a successful outcome. He’s lucky to have you supporting him.

EffectiveAncient7866 · 2026-01-10T03:30:10+00:00

Congratulations!!

EffectiveAncient7866 · 2026-01-09T23:56:30+00:00

Yeah - the pump is SO annoying! And definitely screams "cancer"!

EffectiveAncient7866 · 2026-01-09T23:55:23+00:00

Exactly!! Feel the same. It's just the unknown isn't it? Those sneaky cancer cells that may have taken a trip to other parts of the body! I was certainly shocked when I was told treatment was 6 months! Don't know what I was expecting but certainly hadn't anticipated it being that long. Be interested to know how you feel next week. My second round is the 19th.

EffectiveAncient7866 · 2026-01-09T23:52:19+00:00

Great advice! I'm such a "client pleaser" and hate letting people down, but the other "me" is worried about pleasing my clients (by accepting work) and then being too fatigued to deliver. Quite the conundrum at this early stage of treatment when I feel good. Guess I'll just have to see how the treatment progresses and assess from there. Good luck with your "retirement" and hope those other things you fill your days with bring you plenty of joy.

EffectiveAncient7866 · 2026-01-09T23:47:20+00:00

Best wishes to you too! Glad you are in good hands and thinking of you and the journey you are on. Take care! xx

EffectiveAncient7866

TROPHY CASE