My ever present friend and other health issues:

An extra rest day this cycle with the next cycle, number 5 starts tomorrow with the infusion. Hopefully I will be able to further my concerns about the capecitabine tablets regarding the anhydrous lactose. Phones Peter H, Ann and Peter BD phoned to confirm the arrangements for tomorrow. BSC - 4/5 with wind.

Tired during the day after a reasonable night.  Blood test with an urgent number from the MDCU. The receptionist checked to see if there were ant cancellations for later appointments, but no. She also provided a parking permit for Peter. Peter as a very good driver once again, a very good friend. BSC - 4

 Much better night, up just once at around 4.30 am. Phone the Chemotherapy Helpline and spoke with Nurse Abbie who managed the first infusion on 4th November. Told her about my discovery that the capecitabine tablets non active ingredient, anhydrous lactose appears to be what is causing the flatulence that I have been suffering since the first cycle. I also flagged that my lips have been swollen during 4th cycle. She will email the consultant and put notes on the chemo care page for the team to be aware of my issue. Hopefully this will not cause a delay in treatment but will deliver a solution to the problem. Phoned Ray, had a good Christmas but hurt his back by picking up a box from his car boot. Also had a chat with Ann about her Christmas. She and her family visited Peter and had 2 hours with him. We talked about gifts and inheritance tax, the seven years rule.  Very tired, had a sleep during afternoon; unusual. BSC - 4

Comfortable Day. Spoke with Peter about the anhydrous lactose content of the chemotherapy tablets. Suggestion to phone chemo help line to flag the intolerance issue and potential allergy challenge. BSC - 4

A rest day! A good day. BSC - 4

Christmas Day, last 6 tablets of cycle 4. Read the details of the cap tablets that revealed that they include anhydrous lactose. This may be causing intolerance and the flatulence. Farting is the lead symptom of lactose intolerance. Outdoor explain my problem.  Now there is 5 days rest before cycle 5 starts on New Year’s Eve. Spoke with Mike and Amanda; Andy was not available. BSC - 4 and 5

The penultimate day of cycle 4, 6 cap tabs, anti nausea, B6 and 1 loperamide hydrochloride for loose stools. Struggled to get to sleep, but only need to get up 2 hourly, much easier. Spent the day discovering how Kindle app works in listen mode. Now I have access to a wider range of audiobooks to listen to. Had a chat with Graham M and Teresa.  BSC - 5

6 more cap tabs plus anti nausea and a B6. Up several times during night, but easier. A better day, but finding getting prescription frustrating. Emergency scripts seem impossible for the local pharmacy to cope with. My Omeprazole was eventually available today. The acid reflux was last Thursday night! Spoke with Amanda today. BSC - 6 often, took tablet to stop problem….. Posted on Facebook saying the today is a good day. Comforting support from independent retail sector friends.

6 cap, 3 anti nausea and a B6 today. Phone calls with Peter BD, good for Wednesday and Friday’s appointments next week. Also discussed managing the treatment, understanding how the drugs work in the body and how this experience sits with my worst health challenge. Also phoned Peter H who was having a very good moment, much more him that last week. Also chatted with Rosemary and Ann. Certainly a better day than yesterday’s challenges after an easier night, but My legs felt weak Afro several hours. Julia phoned to say the she had be offered a new job, sounds good. BSC - 5

After a breathless day, 8 trips to the toilet during the night. Very much the pattern of the 1st cycle. Hopefully today will see a reduction in the breathlessness as the drug has flushed out of my body. Very tiring! Same tablet mix as day 47, 6 cap., 3 anti nausea, and vitamin B6. Temperature @7.45am 36.8c. Side effects: tingling hands and feet, tired after disturbed night, and feeling ’off’. Positive, phoned the MDCU reception to try to get the blood test appointment for next Wednesday, left a message to have a call back. Had a call back and the receptionist, sadly didn’t catch her name said that although next 29th was fully booked I should go up to the MDCU on the 4th floor of the West Wing and the receptionists would have a blood test number for me to take to the blood test department. Excellent result. Had a conversation it’s Ann, Sharon and Dennis today. BSC - 4

Tablets for today, 6 cap, 3 anti nausea, Vitamin B6. No antacid today.  Side effects: breathlessness, 36.1 degree cent temperature, some tingling in the fingers, feeling the effect of the 4th cycle and my body beginning to make clear that the treatment is pushing the limits. Only 2 cycles to go so by the end of January it will be behind me. Spoke to Louise, Teresa, Tim and Annie. All very uplifting and supportively interested about my treatment journey. Annie says that I need to let other suffers know about the tips that I have had from my friends who are on their own cancer journey and post cancer lives. Struggling to get a blood test appointment for 29th December. Worthing Hospital switch board not able to get through to the Chemo Helpline and Blood Test reception not answer in the morning. Got through to both Chemo Helpline and Blood Test reception during the afternoon. No blood test available, but asked to phone on Thursday morning when they will have the released appointments....

4 steroid, final dose for cycle 4, 6 cap tablets, 3 anti nausea, vitamin B6 and Omeprazole. Some tingle and feeling of nausea and just tired. Spoke to Mike, Graham H, Mark D, Kevin Y and Judith M to thank them for Christmas cards. Each call is well received and I understanding. Each one save a card…. Booked 12th January blood test online, but no appoints available for 29yh December need to phone Monday. BSC - 4

Second day of tablets on this cycle. 6 cap, 4 steroid, 3 anti nausea, 1 vitamin B6 and a Omeprazole antacid. No acid reflux overnight. Certainly more peripheral neuropathy this cycle, feet and hands. Phoning friends who send Christmas cards to save writing ourselves. Dave Fearn, John Coke and Carol Hubbard as well as Graham & Ray from Probus. Also phoned Amanda for the same purpose, she had a cold with a poor voice. BSC - 3 

Today is back to the tablet regime 6 chemo tablets, 4 steroid, 3 anti nausea and a vitamin B6.  Side effects include tingling in hands and feet, 3 overnight trips to the toilet, some feeling of nausea and acid reflux.will phone Help Line for acid reflux solution. Phone appointment with Dr Wolliston to updater on my chemotherapy treatment progress and for prescriptions for an anacid and eumovate cream repeat. The prescriptions were sent to Lloyds in Storrington, but they are, like the Boot pharmacy overwhelmed by the deluge of request and could not action my requests, come back later or Monday was the response.  Having learnt the dose of Oxiplatin in each infusion and what Dr Webb said about the 6 weeks that the active drug stays in the body, around 6 weeks - I will check if this refers to the second half life - I can work out how much is currently in my body tissue.  BSC - 3

Weight at 7 am 12 stone 3 lbs: 171 lbs: 77.6 kg. Similar to two weeks ago when my weight in at the MDCU was 81kgs. Peter will collect me at 9 am for my 9.45 appointment at the MDCU. The unit is now on the 4th floor of the West Wing at Worthing Hospital in Eastbrook Ward.  Nurse Rachael managed the infusion today. The active drug in the Oxaplatin infusion is a dose of 165 mg in 500 ml of glucoses. This is the same dose as the previous three infusions. The drug does reflects the  body weight.band that patients fall into. My fully dressed 81 kg gives a drug need figure of 162 mg, so 165 mg is correct for today. My appointment with Dr Webb was very relaxed, the nurses had said that I am tolerating the treatment well. Asked about progress, to early to know when treating for “belt & braces” purposes and blood results all within the normal zones. I asked about how long the Oxaplatin active drug stays in the body, most has gone by 6 weeks. Blood tests and CT Scans will be the foll...

A final rest day before cycle 4 begins with the Oxaplatin infusion. A second appointment with Dr Webb, Consultant Oncologist I need to write a list of the questions that I have been formulating over the passed few weeks. Produced a list of 7 issues, but only need to ask about a couple Took 2 anti nausea tablets.  There is always Tinnitus! BSC - 4+3

A Covid-19 swab at 8 am, an unpleasant experience again. Peter picked me up at 10.40 am and drove me to the north wing of Worthing Hospital. I dropped off the Covid-19 swab to pathology and attended the blood testing clinic. I was see by nurse Jane for a 3rd time. I then went up to Eastbrook Ward for a parking permit valid for Thursday. Back pain today to add to my painful knees. Is this a side effect?  BSC - 4

It Monday, a rest day. No tablets. Wind still an issue. Blood and Covid-19 swab test tomorrow. BSC - 4

Just the vitamin B6 tablet today after taking the final 3 of the 54 cap. tablets that completed the third cycle. That is 81,000 mg of the active drug now taken. With 95.5% excreted, 3,645mg remained. Yet to discover what happens longer term. Reasonable night’s sleep, Good day, a little tingling, painful left knee. BSC - 3

6 more cap tabs, and the third cycle is done and the treatment is half way through. Up 4 times during night but slept well, the old down sleeping bag is a useful extra quilt. Left knee pain. Some tingling fingers, may have not kept warm enough. Rash on chin returned and used Eumovate. BSC - 4

If Dr Webb decided that my treatment should continue with the 6th cycle starting two weeks after the 5th then I have 50 more days of this course to go. That is another 7 weeks to go.  6 more chemotherapy tablets, 2 more anti nausea and a B6.  Wind being that lead side effect and some mild tingling in my hands. Very cold outside today. BSC - 3 Second prescription for Difflam made on NHS app failed to get action so contact The Glebe Surgery to order mouth rinse and unguentum m cream. 

Another day of tablets, but approaching the end of the 3rd cycle.  Tingling immediate when I touched an outside door handle: still need to protect and behave with care. Unpleasant taste most of the afternoon and evening, used Dafflam mouth wash. Some wind pm, but easier than previous 2 days. BSC - 3 Chat with Tim and Jack. .

Another day of 6 cap. tablets and anti nausea plus a vitamin B6. Another day of flatulence and discomfort as in the previous cycles, seems to be my big side effect to contend. BSC - 5 and 3 Conversation with Anne and discussed the longer term matter that affect recovering cancer patients including the raised cost of travel insurance.

Another day of 6 cap. tablets and anti nausea plus a vitamin B6. A day of flatulence and discomfort as in the previous cycles, seems to be my big side effect to contend. BSC - 5

6 more chemo tablets, 3 anti nausea and a vitamin B6 today, day 6 of the 3rd cycle. While the peripheral neuropathy has all but disappeared the cycle is certainly giving more feeling of nausea. May need to drink more as the colour of my urine is quite dark. Slept well until around 5.20 am, but felt cold after getting up for the 2nd time during the night. Need to have extra bedding available as just laying my dressing gown over the Tog 7 quilt did not help. There was a 0c temperature outside. Will have a 45 year old duck down sleeping bag available tonight. BSC - 5 Sid phone to ask how I am coping with the treatment and side effects. The feeling of nausea unpleasant much of the day. Drank more, urinated  4 times between 3pm and 4pm. Hopefully this will reduce a chance of a disturbed night.

Another 6 chemotherapy tablets today, 3 anti nausea and a vitamin B6 today. Certainly feeling more nausea from early morning today. Probably the result of too much bread yesterday.  A very little tingling on touch of either cold or hard contact. BSC - 5 Good conversation with Clive about preparing for the next Consultant appointment. He cautioned not to try to discover touch and get lost in the details aimed at clinicians. Need to discover more about longer term effects of the infusion.

6 more chemo tablets today plus 4 steroid and 3 anti nausea as prescribed. I will also be taking the vitamin B6 tablet as well.  Another good day with practically no tingling. But another night of poor sleep. A conversation with Jo about Vitamin B6,  pyridoxine and she advised that I should probably take this for a year after the Chemotherapy has been completed. The effects of the Capox are likely to continue for at this that long. The  US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health website page states Long-Term Retention of Oxaliplatin Derivatives Given that the 3rd half-life of oxaliplatin is in the order of hundreds of hours, accumulation of the drug in tissues may presumably be expected. In this regard, a study examined long-term retention of platinum 8–75 months after treatment with cisplatin and oxaliplatin  41 . The results showed that the plasma concentration of platinum in individuals previously exposed to oxaliplatin or cisplatin is lar...

After expecting a difficult day with peripheral neuropathy yesterday the vitamin B6 taken at 10 am seems to have helped greatly. Also the thermal long john,  newly purchased long sleeved thermal vest and cotton gloves helped to keep my hands and feet warm. The result has been 24 hours without tingling, a win. 6 more chemo tablets today plus 4 steroid and 3 anti nausea as prescribed. I will also be taking the B6 tablet as well.  The tingling fingers are ready to strike if I do stupid, but definitely controlled. BSC -  Temperature at 36c at 2.30 pm. Diet normal with no lose of taste. Ginger Ale and Ginger Biscuits to help settle feelings of nausea. 

Back to the tablets, 6 cap and 4 steroid plus 3 anti nausea. The key side effect of this treatment, peripheral neuropathy is more pronounced today with tingling hands and right foot on get up, worse in the kitchen. Thank you Ruth for suggesting kitchen gauntlets, I invested in gloves that are for hot, cold and wet use. A month in they are proving their value, the cost £27. Taking vitamin B6 as suggested by Peter. One 25 mg taken around 10 am appears to have made a difference. I have also worn cotton gloves today to keep my hands warm. Had far less tingling than expected after the challenge of the first part of the morning. Could be success! Other side effects included: Raised pulse, 80 bpm at 7.15 am. Sensation on swallowing cool fluid. Sensation in roots of molars when eating first mouthful each time Sore skin on left forearm. BSC - 5  Use of Medihoney is a helpful barrier cream.

Today the third cycle starts with the infusion of the  Oxaliplatin element of the capox treatment. Today I was cared for by Nurse Holly. The infusion was a little more challenging today. Feelings of nausea.  The next visit to the MDCU will be to it new temporary home in Eastbrook Ward on the 4th floor of the West Wing. The current MDCU is go to be rebuilt over the next year.  The teeth discomfort side effect stuck when while eating a biscuit while being infused. Is this an indicator of more side effects this time round. BSC - 4

A phone call from the Chemotherapy unit at Worthing Hospital to enquire if I am well enough to start cycle 3 tomorrow. This call was a follow up from the enquiry that I made last week regarding tingling in my hands and vitamin B6. Caring. The nurse told me that my Covid test and bloods were good.  I need to ask about how the levels of drugs the are not excreted assessed. Also if Eumovate cream is safe use.  Feeling light head and slightly nauseous today. Ginger beer helps. BSC - 4

Another broken night's sleep! The first task this morning was to undertake a Covid 19 swabbing of the back of my throat and nose. The swab needed to be delivered to the Worthing Hospital Path Lab by midday. This was done on my way to have two files of blood taken for testing.  Peter once again drove me to Worthing arriving in plenty of time to meet the noon cut off. My blood test appointment was booked for 1.35 pm, but the blood test unit receptionist arranged for me to be seen by a phlebotomist nurse early. Having arrived at the hospital by 11.45 I was back to the car before midday feeling very cared for. Well done to the Worthing Hospital team, once again I am most grateful. BSC - 4 and 5. Needed to take 2 loperamide hydrochloride tablets at bedtime to calm this down. Opened the sachet of Medihoney that a patient in Chiltington Ward gave me. He said that the relief the barrier cream was almost immediate. Good indeed. The patient is a high functioning addict. 

Up twice during the night and woke up with a headache, but no medicine to take today. It is however another cold day so multiple layers of clothing is in order. BSC - 3

The second cycle is now complete and another 54 chemotherapy tablets successfully taken.  A key side effects have been the increased reaction to touching anything cold with instant tingling in the fingers. Also  there has been tingling when my fingers have touch surfaces a little to hard. The hot/cold gauntlets have become a must use with many kitchen activities from opening the fridge or oven to using the sink. The outdoor wear purchased including a Buff snood and heated glove liners are most effective. It was 3 degrees Celsius yesterday evening when we went for a walk and I had not cold related side effects. Keeping warm is a keep part of minimising the peripheral neuropathy. The second side effect has been the increased feeling of nausea, particularly in the first week of this cycle. The anti nausea tablets seemed to help. Ann suggests that I should start to take them before the start of each cycle. The vitamin B6 may be assisting  with this and the tingling sensations...

6 more tablets and cycle 2 is complete. Peripheral Neuropathy is still an issue if I touch anything cold. Also Tinnitus is a growing issue. BSC - 3

6 chemotherapy tablets and 3 for anti nausea.  Cold weather clothing working well. BSC - 3

Tablets, 3 morning and 3 evening plus 3 anti nausea. A cold day so used the snood, balaclava, heated glove liners and over trousers. These and layers kept me very warm when it for two walks during the day. Very windy during the afternoon and evening. It’s 3 months since the colon resection operation that I enjoyed on 25th August. BSC - 3

Day 7 of the second cycle 6 chemotherapy tablets and 3 nausea tablets.  The main side effect today is flatulence. Some tingling and feeling of nausea.  BSC  - 3 Note. I need to create a “tablets timetable” for future cycles to ensure that all medications are remembered And taken at the appropriate times. 

Another 6 tablets today, the sixth of the second cycle.  The side effects, nausea and peripheral neuropathy have eased, but continued to take the 3 anti-nausea tablets. Broken night again - need to keep hydrated! As suggested by Nurse Grace yesterday the tingling fingers and feeling nausea are reduced. Started to take the 25mg vitamin B6 tablets today.  BSC - 4 

6  capecitabine, 3 morning and 3 evening after a meal. Difficult night’s sleep, but just up once. Some feeling of nauseas overnight and in the morning. Taken Metoclopramide Hydrochloride to relief the feeling of nausea. Significant tingling in my hands managing with insulation and using warm water.  Peter BD suggested vitamin B6 may be beneficial. I phone the helpline and was called back by Nurse Grace who talked through the issues. She spoke to a hospital pharmacist who advised that there are no contrary indications with the drug treatment. Although vitamin B6 is no long offered by the hospital. Will order some.  Nurse Grace suggests that the the symptoms for peripheral neuropathy and nausea are likely to fade 5 days after the infusion. BSC - 3 Heated glove liner arrived today will try later. 

4 steroid and 6  capecitabine, 3 morning and 3 evening after a meal. Difficult night’s sleep, but just up once. Some feeling of nauseas overnight and in the morning. Taken Metoclopramide Hydrochloride to relief the feeling of nausea. Pulse rate back to normal. BSC - 3 Litre vacuum flask arrived so I can now have hot water at each basin for instant washing at a good water temperature. Ordered heated glove liner as suggested by Peter.

4 steroid and 6  capecitabine, 3 morning and 3 evening after a meal. Reasonable night’s sleep, just up once. Tingling fingers and sensation at top of throat  with cool water. Vitamin B6 may be the solution. If the peripheral neuropathy gets worse report it, advised by friend, Ruth M. Heated glovers for the coming cold weather suggested by Peter B-D as well as bed socks. 1 litre vacuum flask for instant hot water for hand washing in bathroom ordered. Pulse rate back to normal. BSC - 3

First day of tablets in cycle 2, 4 steroids and 6 capecitabine, 3 morning and 3 evening after a meal. The side effects today are:  Sensitive teeth. Reaction to drinking liquids that are too cool. Reaction to touching anything that is cold including water. Occasional tingling sensation in both the hands and feet. Peripheral Neuropathy. Raised pulse rate 90bpm. Less than after the first infusion. Booked blood test appointments for the next 3 cycles, and needed to phone to flag the need for a near to midday test to match the pathology lab deadline for Covid-19 swab delivery. Also endeavouring to move 16th of December infusion appointment to better match my 2 pm appointment wit Dr Webb. BSC - 4

This morning my appointment at the Worthing Hospital Medical Day Care Unit is at 9.45. The Infusion to commences the second cycle of chemotherapy.  Excretion of Oxaliplatin. The infusion was managed by Nurse Sarah again. The canula took 2 attempts, but was successful. Well cared for once more. BSC - 0

Another good night’s sleep ahead of my last rest day before cycle 2 starts. I am not expecting a phone call today cancelling my appointment tomorrow morning due to a failed Covid-19 test, but yesterday’s swabbing of the throat a nose was the first I had done at home.  No phone call from the hospital so it will 9.45 am at the MDCU tomorrow morning for the second infusion of Oxaliplatin . BSC - 4

Cycle 2 starts with the infusion on Thursday morning so today I have to swab for a Covid 19 PCR test. The swab needs to be delivered to the Pathology lab at Worthing Hospital. I have a blood test appointment at 11.35 am so will drop it off at that time. From home to home in 60 minutes! A friend is acting as my driver for these visits to hospital. He is retired from a career in the pharmaceutical industry and has a deep understanding of prescription drugs. When I told him about the side effects that I have experienced including my very wakeful Tuesday night he talked about how drugs are excreted from the body. 4 routes, urine, poo, sweat and breathe. BSC - 4 Xeloda paper - excretion - 95.5% in urine.

After the rolling side effects of the first 5 days it now seem odd to have a "normal" day. My sore throat has eased. More gargling with Difflam today. BSC - 3

The last of the tablets taken yesterday so today is the first of four rest days before the second cycle begins on Thursday. No obvious side effects and my sore throat has eased. More gargling with Difflam today. BSC - 3

Last 6 of the 54 tablets that made up the oral chemotherapy part of the first cycle of my chemotherapy treatment. My throat is still sore and the Difflam will be used to ease this again today. No side effects today. Weighed in at 77.1 kg - 171 lb - 12 stone 2 lb. BSC - 4

Woke up with a sore throat so called the 24 hour help number for chemotherapy patients at Worthing Hospital. The nurse on duty for the Beep number went though the online questions and told me to contact my GP to ask for a prescription for a mouth wash. The Glebe Surgery phone line opens for non emergency enquiries at 8.30 am and I was 8th in the queue when I called at that time.  The reseptionist took the details of my request and passed the note on to my GP. She phone at 10.30 am to discuss and then sent the prescription on to my selected pharmacist. I had already contacted them to check availability of the mouth wash,  Difflam . Collected around 4 pm and used three time during the rest of the day. Slept better, woke twice during the night.  6 more tablets today, penultimate day on the first cycle.  BSC - 3.

Slept better, woke twice during the night.  6 more tablets today.  A week into this 12 week treatment and I am surprised at how each day has brought a differing series of side effects.  Better day. BSC - 3

Another day of 6 tablets. Broken nights sleep with 5 visits to the toilet. Check excess urination for drug side effect. Mayo Clinic side effects page for Capecitabine   Excess urination not on this list. Capecitabine and urination. Tinnitus is to the fore. Very windy! BSC - 3 

Just three tablets this morning and three more this evening. Better night's sleep but not sound or deep. Less breathless this morning and overnight and that is good! Improved during the day, headache for a couple of hours.  Was the breathlessness due to the effective action of the drug? BSC 4

Just three tablets this morning and three more this evening.  Need to drink more! The main side effect today has been breathlessness. The cancer research website states: Breathlessness and looking pale You might be  breathless and look pale  due to a drop in red blood cells. This is called anaemia. The next blood test may reveal certainty with this. BSC - 1

Another day of tablets, 4 steroid and 6  capecitabine  all taken with food or within 30 minutes of eating.  Side effects easing and in the expected list for the drugs. BSC - 0

Second day of tablets, 4 steroid and 6  capecitabine  all taken with food or within 30 minutes of eating.  Side effects easing. The heightened pulse rate of the first 36 hours has started to return to normal. The other odd effect with pain in the teeth on first bite of food. A side effect not listed on the drugs leaflet. BSC - 0

 At my post-operative appointment on 16th September with Mr Baig he review the operation and the pathology of the 90mm section of removed colon. The tumour was fully removed, one of the 15 lymph nodes that were included in the section was cancerous and there were a few microscopic specks on the outside of the colon wall. He said that chemotherapy could be offered on a belt and braces approach to deal with any lingering risk. I of course said yes and then had an appointment on 7th October with Dr Webb and oncology consultant. He also reviewed the pathology of the cancerous section of colon. He then went though his preferred chemotherapy plan. 6 cycles of infusion and oral tablets repeated over 2 week periods.  The first treatment started on 4th October with covid-19 test training on 1st October along with a blood test. This was followed with an information appointment of Tuesday 2nd, this was with Sarah. My chemotherapy appointment was 9.45 am and I was driven by a friend to th...

Appoint with Mr Baig to review the diagnosis made from the Colonoscopy and the CT scan at the multi-disciplinary team meeting. The recommendation was a colon resection to remove the tumour and surrounding colon.  The operation was planned for 25th August with pre-op appoint on 17th and Stoma training on 23rd. Arrived at the Chanctonbury Suite at 7.30 am for preparation for the operation. This included taking a lot of tablets, putting on pressure socks and changing into a theatre dress. The nurse also covered the previously signed consent form.  Once ready I was walked to the anaesthetic preparation room climbed on the table and had a canula needle  inserted  in to the back of my have. while this was being done one of the anesthetise team talked to me about his training and career. He had been at the RD&E and reminisced about pubs that he frequented when he lived in Exeter. I don't recall being put under at around 9 am, but when I came to at about 4 pm I was greet...

On June 23rd 2021 I posted a faecal sample to the National Colon Cancer Screening Centre . A few days letter I received a letter advising that my sample had proved positive for blood protein and I was offered a phone appointment with Sue Roberts, a cancer nurse at Worthing Hospital. The phone appointment on July 7th was to talk about having a colonoscopy. I accepted the colonoscopy and it took place July 22nd with Mr Baig undertaking the procedure. The previous day was about cleansing with Moviprep, an interesting process. The colonoscopy revealed a polyp that was removed and a tumour. The tumour measured 50mm and protruded into the colon. At the review meeting that followed Mr Baig explained what had been discovered and recommended a colon resection to remove the tumour. The next appointment was for a CT scan at St Richards Hospital on 3rd August.