Colorectal cancer: symptoms and diagnosis

I had a bout of Gastroenteritis which, was still giving me tummy pain 2 weeks after my bowel movements returned to normal. In parallel I noticed that I was getting out of breath easily all of a sudden.  I went to the doctor and a blood test showed that I was severely anaemic.  I was referred for a GI surgical consult and a colonoscopy which found a tumour in my Large intestine close to the join with the small intestine (Caecum).  It took 9 weeks from seeing the doctor to having surgery, a right semi colectomy.  The surgery found I was Stage 3, Dukes C1 and needed 6 months of chemo, Oxalyplatin and 5-FU (Folfox).  18 months post surgery and NED.

I was 100% involved with my Dad's care before he died. I noted various signs of illness and asked him regularly and would be involved with all GP visits. For his cancer of the colon I picked up quickly passing blood in the poo. A dark variety not fresh blood that would indicate possible cancer. On such indications I got him straight in and tested confirming cancer and follow up tests, biopsy's etc. The fight then started with the hospital for them to carry out the operation to remove the tumour, they considered him to old. I fought for months where he had to have various fitness tests to confirm he had a good chance of surviving the operation. After the operation a few months later his colon twisted requiring another operation. He had survived the two operations  and had two good years living with us but again a growth on his kidney where I could not persuade the NHS to do the operation, therefore he died. 

I was told after a blood test for Methotrexaite,  as part of my Rheumatoid Arthritis meds,which i get regular blood tests that my blood count was low, sent away a stool sample, which confirmed i had blood in my stoole. I had a camera tablet at a special clinc, in Glasgow due to covid. 

 Which resulted in me getting a phonecall from a consultant the following week. The outcome was that i had Colon cancer,and things would move pretty quickly on thd medical side this was tne end of April this year 2021. After a colonopticy that i had a tumor the size of a small orange, that had burst. Operation on 25th May 2021, complications during surgery which lasted 8 hours,  they cut out the tumor and and reathched the intestine, should have been discharged within 5 days, However due to leacage ect,  i did not get discharged unit the 11 June 2021.  My six week meeting with my surgeon was put off for a couple of months ,due to the complcation ect.  Met up with him middle of August,  was told i was cancer free and would get regular check ups excreta.  Still a bit tired and exausted, but feeling quite good.

 Then i get a bowl screening test through the post, less than a week later (Monday last) , i get a reply, saying that there is blood in my stools and i will be going for another Colonopticy.  

So the head is all over the place at the moment, keep telling my self it'll  be nothing.  Sorry if its longwinded, but considering everything im doing good !