Back on 15th October, I mentioned that I'd had a colonoscopy and was awaiting the results. They came through yesterday.
Two of the polyps were harmless, but the third contained cancer cells. I now have to undergo a CT scan to find out if the cancer is anywhere else in my body, after which the team dealing with my case will decide on what treatment I will need. I expect to have the CT scan within a fortnight, and will keep my regular blog readers aware of any developments.
I strongly recommend anyone who has what the literature coyly describes as ‘traces of blood in your poo' to undertake the screening test and to have a colonoscopy if one is offered. The earlier the cancer is caught, the greater the chances of a complete recovery.
Since writing this blog post, I have received a letter containing the date and time of my CT scan. I will be having it on Monday 2nd November, and should have the results and an outline of any treatment programme within a week afterwards.
All the best Bob, as you say, best to get these things checked out as soon as possible. Take care. Paul.
ReplyDeletePDL (Paul),
DeleteCheers! I’m very lucky as the hospital that is dealing with me has already arranged an appointment for me to have a CT scan next Monday. I should get the results within a week of the scan.
All the best,
Bob
Hi Bob
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear the negative result. Having gone through something similar I know how difficult and worrying it can be. I found that wargaming and blogging helped a lot to take my mind off things and remain positive. My thoughts will be with you in the coming weeks.
Thistlebarrow (Paul),
DeleteMany thanks for your kind and very supportive words. I will be having my CT scan next Monday, and should have the results about a week later. I’ll then know what treatment regime I will have to undertake.
All the best,
Bob
Bob, very sorry to hear that you weren't given the all-clear, and hope that the CT scan will show the cancer has spread no further.
ReplyDeleteI have been sending samples for screening for the last few years and would strongly second your recommendation.
Best wishes, Arthur
Arthur1815 (Arthur),
DeleteI sort of expected this result, having seen the size of the cancerous polyp when it was removed. I will have the CT scan next week, and should begin any treatment soon afterwards.
All the best,
Bob
Best of luck Bob, it sounds that its been diagnosed early which is a sort of good news. Im currently waiting for m test results and hope its okay. I know its trite to say stay positive but I think its important.
ReplyDeleteIndependentwargamesgroup,
DeleteThanks for your words of support. As you comment, catching it early improves the chance of a full recovery, and I hope that your test results show that you have nothing to worry about.
All the best,
Bob
Our prayers are with you
ReplyDeleteDick Bryant,
DeleteThank you for your very kind words of support.
All the best,
Bob
All I can say Bob is, try and stay positive if you can as a positive mental attitude really helps. I found it helped massively with my prostate cancer and in fact it was harder on the family than me. Also I joked about it a lot which a doctor friend said was one of the best things you can do. I know it sounds strange but it worked for me!
ReplyDeleteSo fingers crossed for you and the family Bob at this time.
Steve J.,
DeleteIn the past I’ve suffered from depression, and I know that letting myself feel sorry for myself will not help me to deal with this diagnosis. As you say, laughter and being positive will help me - and others - cope with whatever happens.
Thanks for your excellent advice and words of support.
All the best,
Bob
So sorry to hear that Bob. Hope to read positive news in due course. My thoughts are with you. Best wishes. Jim
ReplyDeleteJim Walkley (Jim),
DeleteCheers! Thank you for your kind words and thoughts.
All the best,
Bob
Not great news Bob - My father was treated for colon cancer some years ago and I hope your treatment can be as successful. Best wishes.
ReplyDeleteMaudlin Jack Tar,
DeleteI sort of expected that this would be the diagnosis. Over the years, the treatments that are available seem to have becoming more and more successful, and like your father, I hope to make a full recovery.
All the best,
Bob
Sorry to hear of this scare for you and your family, Bob. Wishing you swift, effective treatment and a fast and full recovery.
ReplyDeleteAaron
Prufrock (Aaron),
DeleteThanks for your best wishes. With luck, the CT scan will show that I’ll require a minimum of treatment to deal with the cancer. If not ... well, I’ll just have to deal with whatever needs to be done.
All the best,
Bob
Good Luck Bob!
ReplyDeleteHoward Brady,
DeleteCheers! Thanks for your support!
All the best,
Bob
Sorry to hear about this, Bob. Best of luck with your treatments. I have colonoscopy testing done every two years.
ReplyDeleteAxeminster,
DeleteThanks for your best wishes ... and good luck with your continued colonoscopy tests. Having them makes great sense, as they should ensure early warning of any potential health problems.
All the best,
Bob
Fingers crossed Bob.
ReplyDeleteJim
Jim Duncan (Jim),
DeletePlease keep everything crossed!
All the best,
Bob
Sorry to hear that. Hope nothing else is found and treatment goes well.
ReplyDeleteRob Young,
DeleteI hope that the CT scan shows that I have no complications, and that I only need a minimal amount of treatment.
All the best,
Bob
Sorry to heear that Bob- am sure you'll pull through. Best wishes to you.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Pete.
Pete.,
DeleteMany thanks for your kind words.
All the best,
Bob
Sorry to hear that , hope you get things sorted soon , Tony
ReplyDeleteThe Good Soldier Svjek (Tony),
DeleteCheers! I hope to have my CT scan next week, and begin any necessary treatment soon afterwards.
All the best,
Bob
Witnessed two of my friends going through colon cancer. My thoughts and best wishes are with you as you move towards further testing and treatment.
ReplyDeleteEd M,
DeleteMany thanks for your words of support. They are much appreciated.
All the best,
Bob
Hoping for good CT scan results.
ReplyDeleteNorm,
DeleteYou and me both! Hopefully it will take place next week, and I can begin any treatment soon afterwards.
All the best,
Bob
Sorry to hear that, Bob, but hopefully you have caught it early and it can be treated.
ReplyDeleteOn a slightly different note, I thought of you recently as it would have been SELWG about now, and I would have hoped to meet you again and have a bit of a chat. Sadly of course that won't now happen - fingers crossed for next year!
David in Suffolk,
DeleteI hope that having the test will help ensure that the cancer has been caught early enough to ensure a full recovery.
Like you, I’ve felt the loss of shows like the cancelled SELWG show, not just because of what is there to see or buy, but more for the informal chats I have with other wargamers. Let’s hope that by this time next year, we will be able to meet and talk again.
All the best,
Bob
Wish you all the best Bob. Sounds like things have been caught early, and there are some very good specialists involved with this sort of thing. You'll get through this sir.
ReplyDeleteDuc de Gobin,
DeleteThanks for your best wishes. I am hoping that they have caught the cancer early enough to ensure a complete recovery. If not ... well that is a bridge that I’ll have to cross if and when I reach it.
All the best,
Bob
Hi Bob -
ReplyDeleteIt all doesn't sound like much fun, but I wish you all the best. Hope you get the all clear, but I guess either way knowing is better than not knowing.
Cheers,
Ion
Archduke Piccolo (Ion),
DeleteCheers, old chap! I am hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst ... just in case. Knowing what will happen next will at least give me something to work with. Luckily, wargaming and blogging is helping to keep my mind occupied so that I do not have time to worry about what might be the eventual outcome.
All the best,
Bob
A short wait. EXCELLENT! Sooner tackled, the better. Nova Scotia has a voluntary home screening program for high risk citizens and I been participating for almost a decade. So far so good as they say.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for a good outcome.
Ross Mac,
DeleteThank God that the hospital has acted with commendable speed, and thanks for your best wishes.
It sounds as if Nova Scotia has an excellent medical screening programme in place, and I was pleased to read that you avail yourself of its services.
Keep safe and keep well,
Bob
Testing is good. Better to find things and get them taken care of. Best of luck!
ReplyDeleteFitz-Badger,
DeleteCheers! I’m very glad that I took the test, even though it showed that I had a problem. At least I can get treatment ... and - hopefully - a full recovery.
All the best,
Bob
Bob, It's all been said above - shows how well thought of you are amongst the hobby fraternity. I'll just add my very best wishes at what is already a difficult time to cope with. Stay positive, there is so much that can be done these days :)
ReplyDelete‘Lee,
DeleteI am truly amazed by - and thankful for - the sheer level of support I’ve had since I mentioned my ‘poo stick’ test on my blog. Knowing that there are a load of people out there rooting for me helps to keep me thinking positively.
All the best,
Bob
Sorry to read of the diagnosis Bob. The good thing is being in London you'll have access to some great oncology services.Fingers crossed for the CT scan.
ReplyDeleteAll the best, Chris
Nundanket (Chris),
DeleteCheers! The hospital has responded to the results of my initial ‘poo stick’ test and follow-up colonoscopy with considerable speed. Luckily, I live in an area where the level of COVID infection is quite low, and the hospital is able to maintain its normal services.
All the best,
Bob
I wish you the best, Bob. From experience, I know this can be a very trying time.
ReplyDeleteJonathan Freitag,
DeleteCheers! Thanks for your kind words and support. I’m trying to keep busy so that I don’t have time to sit around and mope.
All the best,
Bob
Hi Bob, Sorry to hear your news. Fingers crossed and good luck!
ReplyDeleteJay
Old Trouser (Jay),
DeleteThanks for your best wishes. They are much appreciated.
All the best,
Bob
Best wishes Bob... fingers crossed your vigilance and the early treatment will nip it in the bud.
ReplyDeleteAlastair,
DeleteYour best wishes are greatly appreciated, and with a bit of luck and prompt treatment, I hope for a full recovery.
All the best,
Bob
Hopefully the CT comes out well, and then they can decide if any further resection is necessary.
ReplyDeleteGonsalvo,
DeleteThanks for your best wishes.
All that I can do is hope for the best ... and prepare for the worst.
All the best,
Bob