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Notes on My Colon Cancer

charlieharrington.com

11–20 of 300 posts

Re: Notes on My Colon Cancer

#11
post #6

I feel you on this. I found out I had kidney cancer after my appendix decided it was time to go. I only had 3% of my left kidney removed and that is it. No chemo or anything just sore for a few weeks. And man do I have guilt and felt like a fake cancer survivor. My experience was so minimal compared to a lot of people. But I realized I am a cancer survivor because of all the mental anguish cancer puts on me. It’s not…

> And man do I have guilt and felt like a fake cancer survivor. Just a data point from an third-party observer with no reason to lie to you: your survivor guilt [0] is normal, but you've done nothing wrong and your experience with cancer is valid and I appreciate you talking about it. It's easy to fall for the trap of minimizing your problems after comparing yourself to other people, and it takes courage to be vulner…

Thanks for that I really appreciate it

Re: Notes on My Colon Cancer

#12

Fellow readers: Do not be afraid of a colonoscopy. Do not avoid it-- in fact, look forward to it. They are easy and painless. Waking up from the anesthesia I felt more relaxed than I ever have in my life. Also, the prep of clearing your system will reset your digestive system and you'll feel like a new person. I think the prep cleared out whatever it was that was causing us to investigate my digestive system in the f…

Biggest thing for me was the IV needle. Little versed cleared that all up.

Re: Notes on My Colon Cancer

#13

Fellow readers: Do not be afraid of a colonoscopy. Do not avoid it-- in fact, look forward to it. They are easy and painless. Waking up from the anesthesia I felt more relaxed than I ever have in my life. Also, the prep of clearing your system will reset your digestive system and you'll feel like a new person. I think the prep cleared out whatever it was that was causing us to investigate my digestive system in the f…

Yes, this, totally this. Even the bowel prep [was] easy and painless [for me -- added this edit]. It's a good excuse to just binge a show, too. I think the traditional guidance has been to go for your first colonoscopy around age 50. My doc mentioned that they're recommending that move down to 45, because they're seeing more and more young people with issues. You should bring this up with you doc if you have any simi…

the bowel prep is easy and painless

Bullshit. I've got Crohn's, and have had more colonoscopies than I can count since age 13. About 75% of the time, I'm throwing up due to the prep. The prep is the WORST part.

It has gotten better over the years. If you go for one, do NOT let them give you the jug full of powder. I've had much better luck with prep-o-pik.

The other PITA is they generally won't let you go for the procedure by yourself, since you're under anesthetic and don't trust you to get home OK. That means you have to find a friend who is willing to wait 2+ hours for you.

Re: Notes on My Colon Cancer

#14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, this, totally this. Even the bowel prep [was] easy and painless [for me -- added this edit]. It's a good excuse to just binge a show, too. I think the traditional guidance has been to go for your first colonoscopy around age 50. My doc mentioned that they're recommending that move down to 45, because they're seeing more and more young people with issues. You should bring this up with you doc if you have any simi…

the bowel prep is easy and painless Bullshit. I've got Crohn's, and have had more colonoscopies than I can count since age 13. About 75% of the time, I'm throwing up due to the prep. The prep is the WORST part. It has gotten better over the years. If you go for one, do NOT let them give you the jug full of powder. I've had much better luck with prep-o-pik. The other PITA is they generally won't let you go for the pro…

The laxatives make you puke? Is it from the flavor/consistency or something else?

Re: Notes on My Colon Cancer

#15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, this, totally this. Even the bowel prep [was] easy and painless [for me -- added this edit]. It's a good excuse to just binge a show, too. I think the traditional guidance has been to go for your first colonoscopy around age 50. My doc mentioned that they're recommending that move down to 45, because they're seeing more and more young people with issues. You should bring this up with you doc if you have any simi…

the bowel prep is easy and painless Bullshit. I've got Crohn's, and have had more colonoscopies than I can count since age 13. About 75% of the time, I'm throwing up due to the prep. The prep is the WORST part. It has gotten better over the years. If you go for one, do NOT let them give you the jug full of powder. I've had much better luck with prep-o-pik. The other PITA is they generally won't let you go for the pro…

Good advice, and I've edited my comment above to clarify. I've only had to two rounds of bowel prep so far - albeit on two different types of prep stuff. Had the jug the first time. I'm sorry to hear about your experience with it.

Re: Notes on My Colon Cancer

#16

Fellow readers: Do not be afraid of a colonoscopy. Do not avoid it-- in fact, look forward to it. They are easy and painless. Waking up from the anesthesia I felt more relaxed than I ever have in my life. Also, the prep of clearing your system will reset your digestive system and you'll feel like a new person. I think the prep cleared out whatever it was that was causing us to investigate my digestive system in the f…

I just had a colonoscopy a few weeks ago because of some minor bleeding. Ended up just being hemorrhoids and a small polyp. Definitely worth having the peace of mind.

The worst part or the prep was not sleeping much that night because I was up until 3am. Watching TV most of the night was relaxing, though. After the procedure I took it easy all day while the propofol effects wore off.

Don’t wait to have a colonoscopy. The prep isn’t that difficult!

Re: Notes on My Colon Cancer

#17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, this, totally this. Even the bowel prep [was] easy and painless [for me -- added this edit]. It's a good excuse to just binge a show, too. I think the traditional guidance has been to go for your first colonoscopy around age 50. My doc mentioned that they're recommending that move down to 45, because they're seeing more and more young people with issues. You should bring this up with you doc if you have any simi…

the bowel prep is easy and painless Bullshit. I've got Crohn's, and have had more colonoscopies than I can count since age 13. About 75% of the time, I'm throwing up due to the prep. The prep is the WORST part. It has gotten better over the years. If you go for one, do NOT let them give you the jug full of powder. I've had much better luck with prep-o-pik. The other PITA is they generally won't let you go for the pro…

My prep was a stimulant, I think Bisacodyl, followed by a gallon of polyethylene glycol solution (they had me use sport drinks that weren't red).

I didn't particularly enjoy it, but it wasn't a problem.

I think people will have different tolerances to different protocols.

Re: Notes on My Colon Cancer

#19

Fellow readers: Do not be afraid of a colonoscopy. Do not avoid it-- in fact, look forward to it. They are easy and painless. Waking up from the anesthesia I felt more relaxed than I ever have in my life. Also, the prep of clearing your system will reset your digestive system and you'll feel like a new person. I think the prep cleared out whatever it was that was causing us to investigate my digestive system in the f…

It isn't that common in america but most of the world does colonoscopies without anesthesia. Without complicating conditions there is little more than minor discomfort and without anesthesia are very quick and much less expensive. With a little searching you should be able to find a doctor who will do the procedure that way.

Re: Notes on My Colon Cancer

#20
I’ve read that there are some emerging theories of a bacterial component of colon cancer, which I find interesting [1][2][3]. A friend, also in his 30s, recently was diagnosed with colon cancer and it seems like doctors are really noticing an increase in colon cancer among a younger population. It just seems so young to be dealing with it. Regardless, I’m glad the author is recovering and found it early enough!

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3625019/

[2] https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jo/2019/5636272/

[3] https://www.healio.com/news/hematology-oncology/20200127/gut...

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