Had a meeting with Mr Glancy today my colorectal surgeon. All in all he said it looks reasonably positive. There is a tumour in the rectum and a couple of lymph nodes outside the tumour area which may be involved. This means it looks like there may be cancer in the lymph nodes but will need a pet scan to be sure. The only other area for concern is the liver as this has as many as 100 marks on it which are almost certainly lesions rather than cancerous but an MRI scan will be needed.

So after the first 10 days I have had a colonoscopy when the tumour was found, an MRI on my torso and a cat scan to do a virtual colonoscopy to check the areas the true colonoscopy couldn’t reach

The results of these are known and a couple more scans needed. A pet scan (ordinarily conducted in Darlington, Sunderland or Newcastle. Owing to the speed of works to date a special dispensation was sought and received from the land of the stotty!!). This type of scan lights up the cancerous cells and an MRI on the liver to hopefully confirm the lesions are not cancerous.

The MRI scan is set for next Wednesday and the pet scan for next Thursday morning. MRI requires another evacuation of the body so a new potion called Picolax is used. This is apparently much less invasive than the previous mixture, only 2 pints of water with the potion as opposed to 8!! and much more successful at shifting ‘stuff’ out, pet scan come as you are hoorah

Onwards and upwards

So the first test has been completed. 25 mins in a tube listening to extraordinary rumbling noises. The idea to get a clear picture of my lower abdomen. Came away with a real sense that the process was underway. Waiting around with no clue as to what to expect is the thing that takes a toll on your mind. Having a plan means that there is an end and at least a path to follow.

Today has been another day of laxatives to make sure that tomorrow’s CT scan is as clear as possible. No food just clear soup, certainly not getting fat!

Diet appears to be one of the things I need to be extremely conscious of so little respite from the cardboard and vegetables only to find out I can have a glass of red wine !

No one said what size glass !!!

My dear friend Simon Connelly’s first comment on hearing my news was ” I thought you said they had found a tuba up your arse”. Having assured him that there is neither the instrument nor the player residing there he said ” you know that new cricket bat you’ve just bought………”

Shock is the only feeling I felt on Tuesday afternoon having gone to the Nuffield in Cheltenham for what I thought would be a routine inspection to have a check up and deal with some piles, to be told I have a growth and will need ct scans, MRI’s and possibly a lot of treatment over a long period of time with no certainty of outcome.

I am obviously not the first person to have received this news but it certainly feels like that as the consultant changes the path of your life.

So why am I writing this? For two reasons, firstly to keep those that want to follow my progress in the loop without having to make contact ( either because they feel they are intruding and or because it can be much easier to refresh this page and all will be revealed ). Secondly it has already lifted my spirits a bit as levity will go a long way to getting my family and I through this.

So the news so far: I have an MRI on Monday and a CT scan on Weds next week with the session with my consultant on Friday 8th at 2.15. I expect at that session he will give me an idea of what to expect in the next few weeks and months.

Lets hope next Friday is a good day!

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton