The husband of a good friend of mine has just had a piece of bowel removed, no stoma fitted, and is having a hard time with his recovery. I wondered if anyone might recommend an online support group to ease the pressure on both of them?
Gransnet forums
Health
Suggestions for bowel cancer support group?
(25 Posts)Hello threads, it sounds like your friend’s husband may have had a sigmoid colectomy, which I had myself. As you described, a section of the bowel is removed and the ends rejoined so no stoma is needed. I was assigned a specialist nurse and they were my first point of contact following the surgery. I joined a community group on the MacMillan website and found people there were helpful and happy to share their experiences.
community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/bowel-colon-rectum-cancer-forum
Hello Threads,
I had the same procedure as your husband in April. I was fortunate in that I recovered very quickly, however I found the macmillan site and / bowel cancer uk sites very helpful in answering my questions. I hope your friend recovers soon.
I've had a shock today, went for a colonoscopy following stomach pain and positive Fit test. Bottom line, they have seen a highly suspicious lesion which is being sent for biopsy. So now awaiting to hear what will happen next. They will be calling me soon. To say I am shocked is an understatement. I am feeling so many things....anxious, scared, frozen, detached. I know I need to find strength to face the coming days, months. I will try to find a support group x
Waterloosunset
I've had a shock today, went for a colonoscopy following stomach pain and positive Fit test. Bottom line, they have seen a highly suspicious lesion which is being sent for biopsy. So now awaiting to hear what will happen next. They will be calling me soon. To say I am shocked is an understatement. I am feeling so many things....anxious, scared, frozen, detached. I know I need to find strength to face the coming days, months. I will try to find a support group x
You will get through it because you have no choice...one day at a time ....wishing you well 🍀
Hello WaterlooSunset, I hope the biopsy results are good, will keep my fingers crossed for you.
Thank you Blossoming ....unfortunately, the way the nurses and Endoscopist spoke to me gave me no doubt! They seemed very certain.
And thank you very Louisa, your words are so true and grounding x
Blossoming
Hello threads, it sounds like your friend’s husband may have had a sigmoid colectomy, which I had myself. As you described, a section of the bowel is removed and the ends rejoined so no stoma is needed. I was assigned a specialist nurse and they were my first point of contact following the surgery. I joined a community group on the MacMillan website and found people there were helpful and happy to share their experiences.
community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/bowel-colon-rectum-cancer-forum
@Geometry Dash Would it help if I found some meal plans or physiotherapy guides for bowel resection recovery?
Waterloosunset, please PM me if I can help - no pressure. I had a Hartmann's four and a half years ago.
Colostomy Support Group UK website is very helpful and supportive.
www.colostomyuk.org
Thinking of you.
Waterloosunset
I've had a shock today, went for a colonoscopy following stomach pain and positive Fit test. Bottom line, they have seen a highly suspicious lesion which is being sent for biopsy. So now awaiting to hear what will happen next. They will be calling me soon. To say I am shocked is an understatement. I am feeling so many things....anxious, scared, frozen, detached. I know I need to find strength to face the coming days, months. I will try to find a support group x
Hi Waterloosunset
Bowel Cancer UK will help with information and has a forum - link below
Support with a recent diagnosis | How we can help | Bowel Cancer UK
share.google/zexJanDWTYcefteh4
The NHS will move fast and you should be contacted quickly by a specialist nurse who will explain what's going to happen. It's many years since l was in a similar situation so I'm not sure of current timings. I went on to have a resection and chemo. I very didn't need a colostomy (bag) but was prepared for one pre-op. 25 years later I'm still here. Early diagnosis saved my life as l had no idea l had cancer and went for the colonoscopy only due to a very insistent young locum. Bowel cancer is very common and in the early stages very treatable, wishing you all the very best. Big hugs.
I’ve recently been diagnosed with anal cancer and treatment starts soon chemo & radiotherapy for 5.5 weeks. I to am still very shocked, scared and anxious but facing it day by day. I’ve good support from my family and I hope anyone facing this situation also has good support. I was scared by the first post I read on the MacMillan forum so haven’t returned to it. Just hoping for a good outcome and for everyone in this situation.
Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.
Thank you all for your feedback. The hospital called today to say I need to do bloods and have a CT scan of chest. Once done, they will discuss results and call me sometime next week. Long wait!
I think it was the way the Endoscopist and senior nurse spoke to me on Saturday, using words like "highly suspicious", "it looks nasty", "don't give up hope", "I feel for you, my mother in law just died"!
The person I spoke to today was less dramatic albeit cautious which I understand. Anyway, your thread OP is beginning to feel like a support group x
Good luck Waterloosunset I hope all goes well for you but whatever is found can be cured.
Thank you Shez. I hope all goes well for you too x
Thinking of you all 
Waterloosunset
Thank you Blossoming ....unfortunately, the way the nurses and Endoscopist spoke to me gave me no doubt! They seemed very certain.
And thank you very Louisa, your words are so true and grounding x
It must have been a shock to be told that news but you’ll be surprised how the resilience to cope will be there - you are stronger than ever you knew. Best wishes 💐
Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.
Waterloosunset, when you are going for the Talk, please try to get someone to go in with you, because you will be anxious and won't remember everything that is said. My brother went through this recently, and sister in law had quite a different, much more positive, memory of what was discussed and described.
Good luck, and same to all on this thread.

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.
Reported
waterloosunset good luck the hospital are on to it quickly and in my experience act very speedily and cautiously I am nearly three years down the line Not the same place but somewhere else where the sun don’t shine A very rare one but acted on so quickly and efficiently and kept a close watch on Now going onto 6 monthly check ups and do forget about it most of the time
Shedz my sons father in law had advance rectum cancer a couple of years ago it hasn’t been a bowl of cherries mainly because he’s a stubborn old fart who didn’t follow all instructions and refused pain killers (I m a man I don’t need pain killers sort of reaction) but just to say he’s alive and kicking and enjoying golf and driving and general living, he’s 82 His wife had an ‘inards’ cancer ( not sure where maybe colon) around the same time she’s also up and running.
Never give up
Shez1955
I’ve recently been diagnosed with anal cancer and treatment starts soon chemo & radiotherapy for 5.5 weeks. I to am still very shocked, scared and anxious but facing it day by day. I’ve good support from my family and I hope anyone facing this situation also has good support. I was scared by the first post I read on the MacMillan forum so haven’t returned to it. Just hoping for a good outcome and for everyone in this situation.
Macmillan also offers free telephone advice and support by their specialist nurses. Do please try that if you can't face the public forums.
Maggie's Centres are another wonderful source of free information and support for cancer both patients and their family and carers, if you are within reach of one of their centres I really recomend them.
www.maggies.org/our-centres/
Thank you BB. I am glad to hear that they caught yours early as they did mine. Yes it's been a roller coaster since diagnosis and operation in August but I am coping. Now on the five year "surveillance" plan.
Many thanks to all who wrote and supported me during a very difficult time, it is very much appreciated. I hope Shez is doing well.
P.s. I used to be Waterloosunset but alas I somehow locked myself out. Oh well guess it stops you all from bursting into song 🎵
Thank you for this enlightening discussion. The importance of community support in navigating bowel cancer is so vital. It really reinforces how we can uplift each other through these challenges! Everyone in community helps me a lot.
community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/bowel-colon-rectum-cancer-forum/
Join the conversation
Registering is free, easy, and means you can join the discussion, watch threads and lots more.
Register now »Already registered? Log in with:
Gransnet »

