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Notes on My Colon Cancer

charlieharrington.com

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Re: Notes on My Colon Cancer

#41

Post by sg47 »

nerdbaggy wrote: post #2

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…

Stage 3 thyroid cancer survivor here at a similar age to the author. I totally feel like a fake cancer survivor but it's definitely turned me into a hypochondriac. I had to get a colonoscopy recently due to my GI issues and some of the symptoms were similar to the ones for colon cancer. I've tried to move on after 2 surgeries, RAI, medication adjustment but mentally it's been tough. I have to get tested regularly to make sure there's no recurrence. The stress and anxiety have been extremely tough to deal with for someone who has been mentally tough all their life.

Re: Notes on My Colon Cancer

#42

Post by dcassett »

drewg123 wrote: post #13
whatrocks wrote: post #8

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 doc. said he always uses the pills with water to prep for his own colonoscopies. I did the same (I believe the pills were named OsmoPrep) - 4 pills every 15 min with 8 oz of lukewarm water. Not pleasant but quite tolerable for me, and I will again ask for pills the next time.

Re: Notes on My Colon Cancer

#43

Post by crehn »

stevecalifornia wrote: post #5

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…

Also propofol is fun. :^)

Re: Notes on My Colon Cancer

#44

Post by UncleOxidant »

peter303 wrote: post #37

About a decade ago companies were promoting virtual colonoscopy. This converted a cat scan into a tube video using advanced computer graphics. You still had to do the bowel-prep agony for a clear view. If the virtual kind saw a problem, it would be followed by the regular camera kind. They were cheaper than a gastroentreologist. But for some reason they never caught on with doctors or insurance companies.

There's also Cologuard which uses a stool sample to determine if there is any cancer DNA present - if so then a colonoscopy is ordered. Much cheaper than a colonoscopy but a lot of insurance hasn't covered it, though that seems to be changing as the insurance companies realize they could save money.

Re: Notes on My Colon Cancer

#45

Post by risyachka »

peter303 wrote: post #34

The usual recipe is a colonoscopy at age 50, 60 and 70. To be supplemented by other yearly blood or DNA (cologard) tests. If you have family history or symptoms you accelerate the schedule.

The problem is that in lots of countries you can't possibly know your history because the medical system is low quality, people just die and you have no idea why your relatives have died.

And if you are diagnosed with cancer - its basically a death sentence unless you have somewhere few hundred thousand dollars laying around, because the best operation surgeons can do in your country is cut out appendix like it is 1990s.

Re: Notes on My Colon Cancer

#46

Post by zikzak »

techdevangelist wrote: post #33
nikomen wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.…

I’ve got Crohn’s so I’ve had my share of colonoscopies, completely agree that the procedure is a breeze. And now that propofol is the standard it’s that much better, the older versed/morphine combo really hammered you. The prep is the worst bit and it’s better if you prep well for the prep; wet wipes, bidet, water bottle anything, some good reading material and a good even free from other disruptions (you’ll be disru…

Fellow sufferer here. My doctor ordered one for me when it wasn't really called for (MD, not gastro). I'd had one recently and kind of rolled my eyes. Did I really need it? They found high dysplasia tissue (cancer precursor). Now I have a permanent ileostomy but I'm still walking around being a father and what not. If you have Crohn's, do not avoid these!

Re: Notes on My Colon Cancer

#47

Post by dbcurtis »

graeme wrote: post #31
stevecalifornia wrote: post #5

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…

Recommend anyone considering this to ask your doctor about using a sedative instead of general anesthesias. As best I can tell general anesthesia for colonoscopy for low risk appears to be a cultural custom especially prevalent in the northeastern USA. Anesthesia has many more possible side effects than sedatives and ought to be avoided unless needed (this applies to any unneeded treatment). Plus if you’re awake you…

> Plus if you’re awake you can actually watch the scope going, it’s cool! Not painful at all.

For sure! My first colonoscopy I was sedated and enjoyed watching the screen. In fact, I remember I was making HILARIOUS jokes the entire time. I could not remember them afterwards though. My second colonoscopy my doctor sedated me again, but put me further under for reasons that remain a mystery.

Also, a year ago we buried my brother-in-law at age 53. He was diagnosed stage 4 at age 48. DO NOT DELAY your colonoscopy. I think 50 is too late to wait.

Re: Notes on My Colon Cancer

#48

Post by nerdbaggy »

graeme wrote: post #31
stevecalifornia wrote: post #5

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…

Recommend anyone considering this to ask your doctor about using a sedative instead of general anesthesias. As best I can tell general anesthesia for colonoscopy for low risk appears to be a cultural custom especially prevalent in the northeastern USA. Anesthesia has many more possible side effects than sedatives and ought to be avoided unless needed (this applies to any unneeded treatment). Plus if you’re awake you…

While I’ve never had a colonoscopy I’ve had versed. It makes me all relaxed and forgetful. Seems like it’s the much better option that fentanyl

Re: Notes on My Colon Cancer

#49

Post by pkrotich »

I was afraid to read it - but I'm truly glad I did. I know I'll be closely "inspecting" my poop going forward. I had just started examining my testicles after reading yet another account of testicular cancer.

His library [1] is also worth checking out!

[1] https://www.charlieharrington.com/library

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