Sunshine Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 (edited) Just been told that my grandma(only one left) has got bowel cancer. She noticed something was wrong with her a few weeks ago so went straight to the doctors and within a week she was seeing a specialist. She went for scans this week, however she can't have a MRI scan as she has a pacemaker and apparantly this is a good one to have but she can't. So she is off for another scan next week and is having an operation in 4-6weeks to remove the tumour. They can't tell if it has spread because the scans she was able to have couldn't tell them so hopefully this next one can. However they think that it may have spread to the liver. My dad has scared me though because he said that it may be that it has already spread to too many places so they may not be able to do anything about it. We will just have to wait and see. It just shows what an awful thing cancer is because within a week and a half of noticing something was different she was seeing a specialist and booking in for scans. So imagine if she had just left it hoping it would get better which i definately would have done a least for a week of so whether she would have just got worse. Ok i need more hapy thoughts now. Also she is one of the most healthy people i know, hardly eats anything 'bad', doesn't smoke or drink and walks her dog everyday so gets regular gentle exercise. Just shows cancer can effect anyone. My auntie has suggested we go to Angelsey for a weekend before she has the op so we can take her mind of it as she used to go there as a child so now we all enjoy going. Just needed to get it off my chest and tell someone apart from my family about it, Emma Edited April 15, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 I hope they can do something for her. If she can't have the op, ask about palliative care options. Sending you lots of good vibes xxxx oh, and I'd definitely have that holiday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 I'm so sorry to hear that, Emma . It seems so unfair for your poor grandma if she's taken care of herself so well . A weekend away sounds like a really good idea. I hope you manage to enjoy it. Best wishes to your grandma for a good outcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iar fach goch Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 So sorry to hear your news, fingers crossed that the next scan will be more positive. Taking a trip to revisit a childhood fave sounds like a great idea, my father (who is not in the best of health) always perks up whenever we visit where he was brought up, and loves talking about the good old days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickvic Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 Sorry to hear your news Hope the scan goes ok and I would go on holiday! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joojoo Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 So sorry to hear your news. I sincerely hope that something can be done to help your Grandma and that you all manage to have a lovely weekend away. Best Wishes xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 Sorry to hear it. I hope she has better news after the scan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 Sorry to hear that - I hope things aren't as bad as your father feels they may be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 Sorry to hear this - I'll be thinking of you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunshine Posted March 20, 2009 Author Share Posted March 20, 2009 Thank you for all your messages, it really helps to write it all down and i knew this would be the place to write it! Best wishes to your father iar fach goch. I am heloing my grandma with our family tree at the moment and at the weekend we are off to go and find the roads that her mothers side of the family used to live on as its only about 20mins from where we live now! Anglesey should be good, my grandma has been going since she was a child, so it has followed through the family and i havn't been since last Aug when we went camping there. After reading all the race for life threads i'm going to persuade my mum and little sisters to do it this year. We were all set to do it last year but then the school fete was on the same day. So this year makes it even more important to raise money for cancer research as my nanny also died of cancer a few years ago. Thanks again Emma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 So sorry to hear the news and am hoping the scan is better news. It must be really hard for you at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathybc Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 so sorry to hear your news - but I would definitely get away if at all possible, it would do you all good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamebird Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 So sorry to hear your bad news. Fingers crossed the next scan will give you good news. Enjoy your holiday in Anglesey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 I'm sorry to hear your sad news. I'll keep fingers and toes crossed for you and your gran. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A chickychickychick-ENN!! Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 So sorry to hear this. Sending you BIG hugs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 Sorry to hear your news but i trust the scan brings new hope. Big hugs xox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunshine Posted March 29, 2009 Author Share Posted March 29, 2009 Just a quick update: My grandma went in for a PET scan last thurs which should tell the specialist more about the cancer but my grandma is now not finding anything out until her op which is on April 15th. She has to go to Christies a week before the op to see a nurse to check she is free of MRSA etc. We are off to stay in Landudno for a night this Saturday which will be nice. All her 3 children and all her grandchildren bar one(one of my sisters who is in Spain for a school trip) will be there so it will be a nice memory for her. I am feeling quite stressed at the moment about it all as I don't like not knowing if the cancer has spread and i want to know if it will be able to be treated or not. I like my life to be organised and its out of my hands and i'm on edge and keep getting upset which is not like me at all. I went for a walk with my dog this morning which helped clear my head and make sense of it all. I am trying to keep positive but i am a very negative person and always think the worst. Emma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saronne Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 I understand how you feel. It's all very unsettling, and the worry can hang over you like a dark cloud. You need to look after yourself, though, so going for walks and trying to do relaxing and enjoyable things is good for your well being and will enable you to remain strong and resilient. Saronne xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 I'm so sorry Emma, the waiting and not knowing must be awful. I think most people like to be in control and know whats going on so you are not alone in that. Try to be brave and I hope you all have a wonderful time with your Nan when you see her. I'll keep my fingers crossed that everything is ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looney Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 Hi Emma, Just wanted to send you some hugs. It's awful feeling helpless and not knowing but you have to take each day at a time. Enjoy spending time with your grandma. There is a very neat saying that I can't remember about focusing on things you can change, and for those things you can't change, focus on your reaction to them. OK not so neat when I write it down. Thinking of you xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunshine Posted April 15, 2009 Author Share Posted April 15, 2009 Well we have had the best news we could have hoped for really. My grandma had her op this afternoon and all went well. She hasn't had to have a 'bag' for her bowel which we know she will be really happy about when she wakes up. She had to have some lymph nodes removed which apparantly isn't too mush of a big deal. So she is now in critical care and my auntie and mum are going to visit her tomorrow. I will probably go when she is feeling better and she is getting bored in the hospital. We went to visit her on Tues night at Christies and i didn't realise how big it was, it was definately the best place for her to be. My mum told her to leave her dignity at the door as she likes to be able to do everything herslef so i think it will be difficult when nurses have to keep looking after her. Also my auntie is coming up to look after her when she comes out of hospital so she will be able to go straight home with the peace and quiet. Just a bit of sad news is that one of her best friends had cancer but it was diagnosed too late to treat so unfortunately he died at the weekend so it means my grandma won't be able to attend the funeral but i think my mum is going to represent her so she can tell her about it when she feels well enough. Anyway just thought i would update you all, its been a real help to type it all out. We are all hoping for a full recovery now Emma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 Wishing her a speedy recovery and hope you are feeling better. Sorry about her friend that's a blow at this time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 That is such good news, Emma . I'm so pleased for your gran and all the rest of the family . What a shame about her friend, though . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 I'm glad your Gran's operation has been a success. What a roller coaster you have been on x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 Good to hear that things went well. Best wishes for her quick recovery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
