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Get your colonoscopy!

BurnItDwn

BurnItDwn

Lifer
Here I lay in a hospital bed. 45 years old. Just had surgery to remove colon cancer. Hopefully my colonoscopy caught it in time before it had a chance to spread.

Don't skip it. Don't procrastinate. Get your colonoscopy when you are able and eligible.

Procedure doesn't hurt, the doctors and nurses are friendly and kind.

With luck I might even be cancer free without chemo. But they need to run pathology to confirm.

So, public service announcement. Please get your colonoscopy.
 
K1052 said:
Damn. Hope they caught it early. Husband just turned 45 and goes for his next month.
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Surgeon is optimistic about it. He thought he got it all out. Gi doc said it was a very small amd smooth looking polyp that has a carcinoma when he ran the colonoscopy. Couple other polyps, one was pre cancer.. removed.

Glad your husband is doing the smart thing! Best of luck to him.
 
BurnItDwn said:
Here I lay in a hospital bed. 45 years old. Just had surgery to remove colon cancer. Hopefully my colonoscopy caught it in time before it had a chance to spread.

Don't skip it. Don't procrastinate. Get your colonoscopy when you are able and eligible.

Procedure doesn't hurt, the doctors and nurses are friendly and kind.

With luck I might even be cancer free without chemo. But they need to run pathology to confirm.

So, public service announcement. Please get your colonoscopy.
Click to expand...
100% agree! Just get it done! I turned 45 last year and had my first one done and the Doc found three polyps. Since colon cancer runs in my family(my grandmother died from it)I'm glad I'm doing the right thing and getting my screenings done sooner. An ounce of prevention right?

I hope you get through this @BurnItDwn and get well soon. 🙂
 
Hope they got it all. I am over 60, and have to get a colonoscopy every three years because they usually find polyps. I have to schedule my next one today.
 
I'm 78. I've had a colonoscopy every time my health clinic and primary doctor tell me to do it. But as I understand it, they cease offering it after you reach a certain age.
 
Im feeling better and better just a few days after surgery. I am anxious about pathology results, but thouroughly impressed with all of the doctors, amazing nurses, technicians, and everybody at the hospital. I am so grateful.
 
My father was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor at age 57 (glioblastoma multiforme). He participated in a (what was then) new phase 3 clinical trial blood-brain disruption chemotherapy that is now a standard GBM treatment and was doing very well after treatment.

He subsequently passed away 3 years later at age 59.

Of colon cancer.

The doctors he was seeing were so micro-focused on his brain tumor that they totally whiffed on the fact that he was past due for a colonoscopy at the time of his GBM diagnosis. They literally didn't do one until he asked them why his liver was physically hard to the touch. By that time, the colon cancer had metastasized to his liver and was non-treatable.

If you are age 45-50, start getting them done REGULARLY. Track it yourself, because if you change doctors you can't depend upon them to recommend that they be done timely - it is one of those tests that tend to get delayed or forgotten when you change providers.

Undergoing one is an absolutely miserable experience without a doubt, even with a doctor that knows what they are doing. I can attest to this, as I'd already had 6 of them by the time I turned age 55 due to family medical history and for other reasons related to IBS-C.

However, I can tell you from dealing with my father's death that metastatic colon cancer is not a way you (or your family) want you to die. Period.

If you haven't done it, get it done.
 
Steltek said:
My father was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor at age 57 (glioblastoma multiforme). He participated in a (what was then) new phase 3 clinical trial blood-brain disruption chemotherapy that is now a standard GBM treatment and was doing very well after treatment.

He subsequently passed away 3 years later at age 59.

Of colon cancer.

The doctors he was seeing were so micro-focused on his brain tumor that they totally whiffed on the fact that he was past due for a colonoscopy at the time of his GBM diagnosis. They literally didn't do one until he asked them why his liver was physically hard to the touch. By that time, the colon cancer had metastasized to his liver and was non-treatable.

If you are age 45-50, start getting them done REGULARLY. Track it yourself, because if you change doctors you can't depend upon them to recommend that they be done timely - it is one of those tests that tend to get delayed or forgotten when you change providers.

Undergoing one is an absolutely miserable experience without a doubt, even with a doctor that knows what they are doing. I can attest to this, as I'd already had 6 of them by the time I turned age 55 due to family medical history and for other reasons related to IBS-C.

However, I can tell you from dealing with my father's death that metastatic colon cancer is not a way you (or your family) want you to die. Period.

If you haven't done it, get it done.
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Im so sorry about your father. That is just so tragic and awful. Wishing you a long and healthy life!
 
I had a colonoscopy in April 2022. I had some problems with blood loss and did not feel very well. They found a small polyp of 5mm size in the colon ascendens and removed it. After examination, luckily the polyp did not contain any dangerous tissue.
I do have diverticula in the sigmoid section that i have to take into account when it comes to lifestyle and diet. Otherwise, i have nothing to worry about. I will have to be checked again in a few years from now.
 
Steltek said:
You too! Glad you caught yours early while it seems like it will be treatable.
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I am optimistic. Doctor said that probability of full recovery is high.

I told my siblings to get tested asap. They are younger and hopefully this will save them hardship.
 
William Gaatjes said:
I had a colonoscopy in April 2022. I had some problems with blood loss and did not feel very well. They found a small polyp of 5mm size in the colon ascendens and removed it. After examination, luckily the polyp did not contain any dangerous tissue.
I do have diverticula in the sigmoid section that i have to take into account when it comes to lifestyle and diet. Otherwise, i have nothing to worry about. I will have to be checked again in a few years.
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Been dealing with diverticulitis for the last 8 years here! It's gone now! Take good care of yourself!
 
BurnItDwn said:
Been dealing with diverticulitis for the last 8 years here! It's gone now! Take good care of yourself!
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Good to read/hear ! 🙂

Diet and lifestyle is very important when having to deal with diverticula.
I once heard during a presentation about creating an artifical bowel on a chip for laboratory research, that the tissue inside the intestines is the fastest regenerative tissue in the whole body.
The innerlining of the intestines called the epithelium, is replaced around every 5 days maximum.

Green vegetables are very good for to prevent cancer of the intestines. It seems brocolli is an exceptional vegetable for to prevent colon cancer.
Sulfur compounds called glucosinolates seems to be very beneficial to prevent colon cancer. Also Cauliflower and Brussels sprouts are rich in glucosinolates.
 
In 2024, I went through a couple of bouts of diverticulitis. Not pleasant...so, my PCP recommended a colonoscopy. I'm in my 70s and had never had one...and colon cancer is one of the things that took my mom...so, as unpleasant as the idea is...I did it. A few polyps, none cancerous. Next one after 5 years. The absolute worst part of the entire thing is the prep. (Man up...Depends are your friend through this)
I get the occasional minor diverticulitis flare up, nothing severe. I hope it stays that way.
 
BoomerD said:
In 2024, I went through a couple of bouts of diverticulitis. Not pleasant...so, my PCP recommended a colonoscopy. I'm in my 70s and had never had one...and colon cancer is one of the things that took my mom...so, as unpleasant as the idea is...I did it. A few polyps, none cancerous. Next one after 5 years. The absolute worst part of the entire thing is the prep. (Man up...Depends are your friend through this)
I get the occasional minor diverticulitis flare up, nothing severe. I hope it stays that way.
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It says "lemon" flavor ... but, its salt flavored!
A gallon of lemonaide would be delicious.
a gallon of saltwater, with a hint of lemon .. its unpleasant! took 3 hours to chug.
I'm glad we have 2 bathrooms, so i didn't ever have to wait for access.

And use the 3 ply good stuff!
 
BurnItDwn said:
It says "lemon" flavor ... but, its salt flavored!
A gallon of lemonaide would be delicious.
a gallon of saltwater, with a hint of lemon .. its unpleasant! took 3 hours to chug.
I'm glad we have 2 bathrooms, so i didn't ever have to wait for access.

And use the 3 ply good stuff!
Click to expand...

There are lower volume preps and even pill based ones. You still have to drink a significant amount of water or other acceptable liquid with those, but you can do it over about 4-6 hours with no saltwater lemon taste required.

Unfortunately, I've found that no matter what the doctor actually prescribes, health insurance usually only covers (and substitutes with) the cheapest high volume preps they can find. Which means you'll probably get stuck swilling that nasty saltwater lemon unless you are willing to pay for it out of your own pocket.
 
Steltek said:
There are lower volume preps and even pill based ones. You still have to drink a significant amount of water or other acceptable liquid with those, but you can do it over about 4-6 hours with no saltwater lemon taste required.

Unfortunately, I've found that no matter what the doctor actually prescribes, health insurance usually only covers (and substitutes with) the cheapest high volume preps they can find. Which means you'll probably get stuck swilling that nasty saltwater lemon unless you are willing to pay for it out of your own pocket.
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Thanks for posting as some may not know this. I don't really mind the drinking nearly as much as the exiting, they can prescribe large doses of miralax (very similar to some of the 4l.kits) or do an enema as options too, if you want to find even more unpleasant ways to go about it...

Anyhow, it's so weird not being able to lift more than a few pounds or shovel the snow... Can't wait to get at least some strength back
 
BurnItDwn said:
It says "lemon" flavor ... but, its salt flavored!
A gallon of lemonaide would be delicious.
a gallon of saltwater, with a hint of lemon .. its unpleasant! took 3 hours to chug.
I'm glad we have 2 bathrooms, so i didn't ever have to wait for access.

And use the 3 ply good stuff!
Click to expand...
My doc advised me to mix a pitcher sized packet of Crystal Light into each bottle of the prep liquid. Still salty, but drinkable.
 
Chemotherapy started today. First infusion was unpleasant, but tolerable.

My cancer is stage 3, it had spread to a single lymph node. The tumor and lymph node were removed via the surgery in Jan, but, there is still a good chance there are some cancer cells left, too small to detect or target. Chemo has a very good chance to stop it from coming back. On CAPOX.

Side effects thus far are mostly mild with one really annoying and weird one (they prepared me for this, told me all about it multiple times),

I cant take things out of the fridge or freezer any more unless i wear warm gloves or mittens. When i wash my hands, i have to use warm water.
Anything cold or cool that i touch feels like being stabbed with icicles, can only drink hot or warm drinks too.

No more ice cream, it's OK, I can afford to lose the weight.


On the plus side, as long as I wear gloves, so i don't freeze my fingers with ever so gently slightly cool things, Its been 6 weeks since surgery, and I can lift things like cats and take out the garbage and not worry too much about abdominal injuries as things are healed up quite well!
 
Good luck to you. You fight and don’t stop fighting. Don’t be afraid of 2nd opinions if don’t like what you’re hearing.

Had my first colonoscopy at 67. (Yeah dumb I know). Luckily just minor polyps, and now on the 5 yr plan. 2 yrs to go until the next one.
 
BurnItDwn said:
Chemotherapy started today. First infusion was unpleasant, but tolerable.

My cancer is stage 3, it had spread to a single lymph node. The tumor and lymph node were removed via the surgery in Jan, but, there is still a good chance there are some cancer cells left, too small to detect or target. Chemo has a very good chance to stop it from coming back. On CAPOX.

Side effects thus far are mostly mild with one really annoying and weird one (they prepared me for this, told me all about it multiple times),

I cant take things out of the fridge or freezer any more unless i wear warm gloves or mittens. When i wash my hands, i have to use warm water.
Anything cold or cool that i touch feels like being stabbed with icicles, can only drink hot or warm drinks too.

No more ice cream, it's OK, I can afford to lose the weight.


On the plus side, as long as I wear gloves, so i don't freeze my fingers with ever so gently slightly cool things, Its been 6 weeks since surgery, and I can lift things like cats and take out the garbage and not worry too much about abdominal injuries as things are healed up quite well!
Click to expand...

You'll get the ice cream back in 3 or 6 months (depending upon the length of your prescribed CAPOX chemotherapy regimen) as the temperature sensitivity almost always goes away fairly quickly once the treatments are completed.

The Oxaliplatin portion of the treatment that you get via the IV infusions is what is causing the temperature sensitivity side effect.
 
Steltek said:
You'll get the ice cream back in 3 or 6 months (depending upon the length of your prescribed CAPOX chemotherapy regimen) as the temperature sensitivity almost always goes away fairly quickly once the treatments are completed.

The Oxaliplatin portion of the treatment that you get via the IV infusions is what is causing the temperature sensitivity side effect.
Click to expand...
I've got 6 infusions over about 18 weeks. 5 more infusions to go ...
Only slept 2 hours last night, have a history with insomnia and delayed sleep phase syndrome ... and, it seems like the steroids they put in the IV before the Oxaliplatin really messed with that.. was hard to wake up and force myself to eat for my oral chemo tablest this morning. Had to take one of the compazine anti nausea tabs, but thankfully it seemed to do the trick.
Otherwise, feeling groggy but not too badly sick.
 
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