Effing cancer is an effing effer, frankly

[anonymous-user]

So sorry to hear your news, 22.

[GT3Manthey]

22 said:

My seemingly healthy, non-smoking, rarely-drinking (& quite beautiful) wife, got a blood clot (& pneumonia) end of last year.

Friday just gone we found out what probably caused it. Thymic Carcinoma. No surgical options for her & and can't be 'cured'. Awaiting a PET scan to learn what we're looking at in terms of managing it. She's 43. I'm a rock when I'm with her (kids not told until we've had the scan), I'm a wreck otherwise.

Desperately sorry to hear this 22 thoughts are with with abs your wife

[N7GTX]

22 said:

My seemingly healthy, non-smoking, rarely-drinking (& quite beautiful) wife, got a blood clot (& pneumonia) end of last year.

Friday just gone we found out what probably caused it. Thymic Carcinoma. No surgical options for her & and can't be 'cured'. Awaiting a PET scan to learn what we're looking at in terms of managing it. She's 43. I'm a rock when I'm with her (kids not told until we've had the scan), I'm a wreck otherwise.

Don't give up hope. Its early days and you'll be shell shocked. Do as much reading up on it as you can. Join forums dedicated to this particular variety and you'll get a lot of support. Never be afraid to contact Macmillan who will support you all the way.

This U.S. site has a lot of clear info. https://www.cancer.gov/types/thymoma/patient/thymo...

I wish you and your wife all the best.

[Spydaman]

As I turned 60 in December I was offered a bowel cancer screening test. No problem, bit of poo on a stick and send it in. I've never seen any but apparently there was some blood in it so was called in for a colonoscopy. Had the colonoscopy but couldn't get past a stricture which was put down to diverticulitis. Called in for a CT scan. Hadn't heard anything for a couple of weeks so called and told it could take up to three weeks for the results. Got a call a couple of days later saying can I come in tomorrow. Still didn't think anything of it until I was taken to a side room with the Doctor and a nurse to be told a 5cm something on my colon. I've now got a full CT scan on Tuesday which the team review on Thursday then I find out if I've got cancer.
Bit of a stty year so far. MIL died in January. My Mum died on Monday with funeral on Thursday. Now me.I feel fine its my wife I feel for.

[N7GTX]

This will a year you will want to forget. Lets hope the test results are negative. If you do get bad news then hopefully it can be treated successfully.
To help you and your wife please make use of Macmillan Cancer Support even if you are not the type to seek outside help. They can really make a difference.

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/

[Spydaman]

Thanks for the reply. We know all about the Macmillan Unit as the MIL spent her last few days there. Hopefully they won't be required again.

[ruggedscotty]

Spydaman said:

As I turned 60 in December I was offered a bowel cancer screening test. No problem, bit of poo on a stick and send it in. I've never seen any but apparently there was some blood in it so was called in for a colonoscopy. Had the colonoscopy but couldn't get past a stricture which was put down to diverticulitis. Called in for a CT scan. Hadn't heard anything for a couple of weeks so called and told it could take up to three weeks for the results. Got a call a couple of days later saying can I come in tomorrow. Still didn't think anything of it until I was taken to a side room with the Doctor and a nurse to be told a 5cm something on my colon. I've now got a full CT scan on Tuesday which the team review on Thursday then I find out if I've got cancer.
Bit of a stty year so far. MIL died in January. My Mum died on Monday with funeral on Thursday. Now me.I feel fine its my wife I feel for.

Sorry to hear this.... however....

My father had his last poo stick kit sample done and was sent off, anyways they came back said it was abnormal went in for some investigations and found a cancerous polyp or two.. operation done and on a bad got a year. They caught it and a few runs of chemo to be sure and he is still around that was a few yeara ago....

Keep on the positive side and wait till you find out what they are going to do. one way or an other they are getting good at dealing with these incidents.

wishing you every bit of luck.

[GT3Manthey]

Spydaman said:

As I turned 60 in December I was offered a bowel cancer screening test. No problem, bit of poo on a stick and send it in. I've never seen any but apparently there was some blood in it so was called in for a colonoscopy. Had the colonoscopy but couldn't get past a stricture which was put down to diverticulitis. Called in for a CT scan. Hadn't heard anything for a couple of weeks so called and told it could take up to three weeks for the results. Got a call a couple of days later saying can I come in tomorrow. Still didn't think anything of it until I was taken to a side room with the Doctor and a nurse to be told a 5cm something on my colon. I've now got a full CT scan on Tuesday which the team review on Thursday then I find out if I've got cancer.
Bit of a stty year so far. MIL died in January. My Mum died on Monday with funeral on Thursday. Now me.I feel fine its my wife I feel for.

So sorry to hear this and hopefully you get a positive outcome .

Seems like we all work hard to get to a point where we want to look forward to retirement then a bolt out of the blue like this turns up.

Makes one rethink on doing the daily grind.

Keep us updated and stay positive if you can .

Sharing emotions on here is a good thing

[loafer123]

ruggedscotty said:

Spydaman said:

As I turned 60 in December I was offered a bowel cancer screening test. No problem, bit of poo on a stick and send it in. I've never seen any but apparently there was some blood in it so was called in for a colonoscopy. Had the colonoscopy but couldn't get past a stricture which was put down to diverticulitis. Called in for a CT scan. Hadn't heard anything for a couple of weeks so called and told it could take up to three weeks for the results. Got a call a couple of days later saying can I come in tomorrow. Still didn't think anything of it until I was taken to a side room with the Doctor and a nurse to be told a 5cm something on my colon. I've now got a full CT scan on Tuesday which the team review on Thursday then I find out if I've got cancer.
Bit of a stty year so far. MIL died in January. My Mum died on Monday with funeral on Thursday. Now me.I feel fine its my wife I feel for.

Sorry to hear this.... however....

My father had his last poo stick kit sample done and was sent off, anyways they came back said it was abnormal went in for some investigations and found a cancerous polyp or two.. operation done and on a bad got a year. They caught it and a few runs of chemo to be sure and he is still around that was a few yeara ago....

Keep on the positive side and wait till you find out what they are going to do. one way or an other they are getting good at dealing with these incidents.

wishing you every bit of luck.

I’ve had polyps out and, most recently, a flat growth which unfortunately means I have to have 6 monthly scans.

Whilst not my ideal day (!) it is fascinating to see them perform surgery on you live on a screen.

[Spydaman]

I had my second CT scan today. A full body one this time. I assume to see that if I do have cancer where else it has spread to so they can decide whether or not it's worth treating the thing in my colon. I keep seeing things I want to buy or book but stop myself it case I don't get to use it. They are having a group meeting on Thursday to review the results of the CT scan and let me know the next steps. It's my Mum's funeral on Thursday too so just know they are going to phone right in the middle of it. I still can't believe this is happening to me as I feel fit and healthy with no symptoms at all although I have lost a few pounds in weight. Only my Wife and kids know what is happening and haven't told any other family or friends as I don't want their sympathy. Not sure if this is right or wrong but feels right.

[Stan the Bat]

Spydaman said:

I had my second CT scan today. A full body one this time. I assume to see that if I do have cancer where else it has spread to so they can decide whether or not it's worth treating the thing in my colon. I keep seeing things I want to buy or book but stop myself it case I don't get to use it. They are having a group meeting on Thursday to review the results of the CT scan and let me know the next steps. It's my Mum's funeral on Thursday too so just know they are going to phone right in the middle of it. I still can't believe this is happening to me as I feel fit and healthy with no symptoms at all although I have lost a few pounds in weight. Only my Wife and kids know what is happening and haven't told any other family or friends as I don't want their sympathy. Not sure if this is right or wrong but feels right.

Fingers crossed for you mate.

Have you suffered from diverticulitis in the past ?

[MadCaptainJack]

Spydaman said:

I still can't believe this is happening to me as I feel fit and healthy with no symptoms at all although I have lost a few pounds in weight.

The earlier they catch it, the better! The fact you have no symptoms is really good! If it does turn out to be cancer, it's far more likely that treatment will be successful.

Spydaman said:

Only my Wife and kids know what is happening and haven't told any other family or friends as I don't want their sympathy. Not sure if this is right or wrong but feels right.

There's no objective right or wrong. There's only what's right for you.

I know someone who has terminal cancer but hasn't let their extended family and friends know how bad it's got because it's so emotionally exhausting dealing with it all.

[Spydaman]

The colonoscopy Doctor put it down to diverticulosis but they seemed to think it might be cancer after the first scan. I'm hoping it is just diverticulosis as I can cope with that.

[Stan the Bat]

I've had colon cancer twice mate, so if you have any questions feel free.

[Spydaman]

Stan the Bat said:

I've had colon cancer twice mate, so if you have any questions feel free.

Thanks for the kind offer. I think I'll wait until I know definitely that I got it before I find out the gory details.

[22]

Spydaman said:

Only my Wife and kids know what is happening and haven't told any other family or friends as I don't want their sympathy. Not sure if this is right or wrong but feels right.

We're facing a pretty tough scenario and we've told all family now, but also said NOT to contact my wife. Any messages etc through me - this seems to filter out a decent percentage. Some of the well-meaning but pretty morbid messages from extended family we never see is bonkers.

My wife seems to be more receptive to support from colleagues and friends who she speaks to anyway.

[Pieman68]

GT3Manthey said:

Familiar story .

My nieces and nephews are hovering around my mother as she’s now in her mid 80’s and told them she has included them in her will. They don’t know to what degree but one last year had the cheek to ask for 30k saying “ can I have my inheritance early Nan”.

I hope she gets £2.50 when mum goes . Bloody cheek

This is the worst scenario with family. I luckily still have both my parents but Dad has had multiple health issues since the age of 57. We joke around about death and inheritance (as an example I tell him to run decorating plans past me before he spends "my" money - the same jokes he used with my Grandad). I've told them both as far as I'm concerned they've worked all their lives to build that pot up and helped me and my brother and sister along the way.

If they want to blow it all I would have absolutely no problem with it. As it is due to his health they're fairly house bound apart from a couple of Greek island holidays a year

[GT3Manthey]

22 said:

We're facing a pretty tough scenario and we've told all family now, but also said NOT to contact my wife. Any messages etc through me - this seems to filter out a decent percentage. Some of the well-meaning but pretty morbid messages from extended family we never see is bonkers.

My wife seems to be more receptive to support from colleagues and friends who she speaks to anyway.

Sounds terrible , really sorry to hear you're going through this

[GT3Manthey]

Pieman68 said:

This is the worst scenario with family. I luckily still have both my parents but Dad has had multiple health issues since the age of 57. We joke around about death and inheritance (as an example I tell him to run decorating plans past me before he spends "my" money - the same jokes he used with my Grandad). I've told them both as far as I'm concerned they've worked all their lives to build that pot up and helped me and my brother and sister along the way.

If they want to blow it all I would have absolutely no problem with it. As it is due to his health they're fairly house bound apart from a couple of Greek island holidays a year

I'd never ask my Mother for money or delve into her finances.
We only discuss it if she chooses to.

I want to try and ensure that my kids pay the least tax as possible in our will so a plan will be put in place as we go along but i'd be horrified if my kids started to ask for up front money rather than me offering it so my Niece asking my Mother is plain bad manners

[Captain Raymond Holt]

22 said:

Spydaman said:

Only my Wife and kids know what is happening and haven't told any other family or friends as I don't want their sympathy. Not sure if this is right or wrong but feels right.

We're facing a pretty tough scenario and we've told all family now, but also said NOT to contact my wife. Any messages etc through me - this seems to filter out a decent percentage. Some of the well-meaning but pretty morbid messages from extended family we never see is bonkers.

My wife seems to be more receptive to support from colleagues and friends who she speaks to anyway.

Sounds terrible 22.

We also found (some years ago) that some well-meaning relatives can be pretty ‘special’ when it comes to what they say. Seems like the brain isnt always engaged.