Notes on My Colon Cancer • Hacker News Board

Re: Notes on My Colon Cancer

#261

Post by graeme » Thu, Oct 22, 2020, 3:44 PM UTC

m463 wrote: post #236

Starwatcher2001 wrote: post #178

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I had a colonoscopy five years ago here in the UK without any anesthesia and it was perfectly fine. Walked into the theatre wearing a gown and a pair of shorts with a flap at the back, and hopped up onto the bed. Somewhat embarrassing with a half dozen nurses standing around various bits of kit and more monitors than NASA. They asked me if I wanted to watch, then angled one of the monitors so I could see what they we…

I had one a few years back and it was amazingly painful. Nonetheless I would choose it over getting knocked out. This may sound like a strange sentiment, but years ago I broke a bone on a weekend and they put my arm in a sling at the emergency room. I got to see a doctor on monday and he said - you have to move your arm. "Move it every day, otherwise you will lose your range of motion. Let pain be your guide". Comple…

Good point. I could say “whoa that’s uncomfy” and the doctor would react.

There are risks to colonoscopy, primarily in older patients. You can get a perforated bowel.

Quite plausible that where sedation is warranted this reduces the risk. But that would depend upon whether the cause of this perforation is even amenable to patient/doctor feedback.

Re: Notes on My Colon Cancer

#262

Post by graeme » Thu, Oct 22, 2020, 3:48 PM UTC

mkuklik wrote: post #51

graeme wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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…

I've got it done without sedatives 10 years. It was quite a ride. They went only half way and I had enough. It was literally a gut-wrenching experience.

To be clear I had sedatives. They just didn’t put me under.

Re: Notes on My Colon Cancer

#263

Post by dreamcompiler » Thu, Oct 22, 2020, 4:24 PM UTC

"Not bright red, more like muddy-red."

That's the giveaway, right there. Bright red blood on your toilet paper is usually just hemorrhoids. Uncomfortable but treatable and not life threatening.

Deep red or "muddy red" blood on your toilet paper means the blood came from deeper within your intestine, and it should always be checked out regardless of how young you are. If your doctor refuses to do so, get a new doctor.

Re: Notes on My Colon Cancer

#264

Post by gautamp8 » Thu, Oct 22, 2020, 4:26 PM UTC

whatrocks wrote: post #215

gautamp8 wrote: post #69

Thank you for writing this experience so wonderfully. I can really relate to this journey. Lost my brother to Colorectal cancer 2.5 years back, he was 27 at the time. What happened with Boseman happened with us 15 years earlier(Stage III transitioning to IV). We didn't have any family history of cancer. He was wild type for all kind of known mutations (KRAS, NRAS and BRAF) for the cancer. In simple terms, doctors did…

I'm very sorry to hear about your brother. Glad to hear you are staying on top of your situation. As far as triggering my cancer, I have no idea. And I don't think anyone is going to give me any more clarity than that. I don't think it's possible to do so. What they have told me is that more and more young people are getting colon cancer, and they aren't quite sure why.

Thanks for the response. Yeah, medical science is still so much limited when it comes to cancer. I did lot of research on Integrative cancer care post our experience and realized how positive changes to lifestyle impacts the mind and body. Now trying to help others going through similar challenges through self hosted support group sessions.

I've subscribed to your writings, looking forward to them. I'm also a Software Engineer professionally. :)

Re: Notes on My Colon Cancer

#265

Post by greedo » Thu, Oct 22, 2020, 4:27 PM UTC

bitcoinmoney wrote: post #229

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…

Can you get colonoscopy without any symptoms for family history of colon cancer?

Most insurance policies won't cover a colonoscopy without symptoms or family history, and most gastroenterologists won't recommend one in that situation anyways.

Re: Notes on My Colon Cancer

#266

Post by greedo » Thu, Oct 22, 2020, 4:30 PM UTC

dreamcompiler wrote: post #263

"Not bright red, more like muddy-red." That's the giveaway, right there. Bright red blood on your toilet paper is usually just hemorrhoids. Uncomfortable but treatable and not life threatening. Deep red or "muddy red" blood on your toilet paper means the blood came from deeper within your intestine, and it should always be checked out regardless of how young you are. If your doctor refuses to do so, get a new doctor.

This is highly inaccurate. If you have rectal cancer, the blood will be bright red.

The bottom line is that if you ever have ANY bleeding from your anus, or in your stool, visit your doctor immediately.

(15 year survivor of colorectal stage 3 cancer)

Re: Notes on My Colon Cancer

#267

Post by dreamcompiler » Thu, Oct 22, 2020, 4:31 PM UTC

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…

100% agree. I've had several colonoscopies without anesthesia. This does not make me a badass (npi). It merely reflects that the fear of this procedure is completely out of proportion to the reality. It's a little bit uncomfortable in the same way that being gassy after a big meal is uncomfortable, but it's less painful than a flu shot.

Re: Notes on My Colon Cancer

#268

Post by StanLindsey » Thu, Oct 22, 2020, 4:34 PM UTC

Is there a list anywhere of procedures you can undergo that are worth asking for? Beyond the standard blood pressure, temperature and listening to your heart which feel very comprehensive.

I really feel like I'm due an MOT on my body.

Re: Notes on My Colon Cancer

#269

Post by narutouzumaki » Thu, Oct 22, 2020, 4:35 PM UTC

lazyjones wrote: post #220

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…

As a data point: I met a service technician for colonoscopy equipment (in good spirits) and he said he wouldn't recommend one. From my past experience, I'd recommend MRI over anything else (especially CT scans), though it's apparently not as useful in diagnosing bowel stuff as colonoscopies.

These are almost lateral approaches and very different from each other though, with MRI being more like a sonar scan and colonoscopies more like sending a submarine equipped with a camera into the depths.

Both can be very useful and helpful in aiding diagnosis with more data points.

Case in point, I have had an MRI (which showed nothing), several CT scans (which showed temporary blockage) and both methods have not really led to a conclusive diagnosis.

Re: Notes on My Colon Cancer

#270

Post by greedo » Thu, Oct 22, 2020, 4:35 PM UTC

makach wrote: post #116

God damn it! I get upset when reading this article! The doctor mentioned at the beginning of the article is obviously not doing his job! "Don't worry about it?!" "you don't need another physical exam!?" Making assumptions without examination is incredibly unprofessional and carries with it potential critical consequences. If you have an issue and bring it to your doctor and your doctor fails to follow up with an exam…

I was diagnosed at age 41 with colorectal cancer. My GP had ignored my complaints about it a year earlier, and dismissed it (without a rectal exam) as "probably hemorrhoids." A year later, he thought better of it and sent me for a consult with a specialist who instantly spotted a 5cm mass in my rectum.

A year later, while doing a followup from my surgery, I mentioned how cavalier my GP was to the surgeon who saved my life. He said that many doctors don't really think of colon cancer for anyone under 50 unless there's a family history.

That was 15 years ago, and the medical community has generally understood that colorectal cancer can occur far earlier than previously expected.