MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish
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Joining the colonoscopy bunch next month. Late getting there, age 60. DH going 2 weeks later. It's like the old cereal commercial, "Let Mikey try it". He makes me go first. And Boo-Hoo the first week I'm home. Hope its a warm night since toilet and I will become very familiar. Hate frozen bum (love English expressions).
Eli - (((HUGS))). Praying for good results. Hope to hear something good when I get home.
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Condensed version:
Pre-colonoscopy got good news that my CEA (cancer antigen) number was low.
Nurses nice and gossipy, which was good because I had a half hour wait in the procedure room while they slipped a patient in before me.
Met new young-doc. Not a hottie. Not even very conversational. That's what ya get when you play with robots a lot. Typical dry surgeon demeanor.
I asked for Versed light. Missed the ultrasound, but was able to see the c-scope screen during a few waking moments. I saw my cancer. It had the slimy look of a newborn alien, without the cuteness...beastly. I could feel the scope poking my transverse colon, owww! They gave me more meds., nighty night.
Woke up. Got the news C/C has grown thru my bowel wall. I'm in the Stage II ballpark for now, til we see what the nodes look like tomorrow (CT & MRI.) Found out my C/C is actually RECTAL cancer (an even less pretty picture, if that is possible.) It's where the rectum joins the colon. The debate of exactly where they join has been "raging for centuries" (a remark which is the utmost of hilarity in colorectal surgeon circles.)
Doc could not get the c-scope all the way to the end of my colon, so signed me up for barium enema/x-rays. But I got something gentler than the barium. But it HURT REAL BAD, worse because some c-scope air was still trapped in my uppermost bowel. I was crying.
WON"T KNOW MY PLAN til next Tues. meeting with soccer-dad surgeon.
Chemo/Rads Christmas looks more likely. The pros: Shrinkage before surgery, save more bowel. The cons: Everything else. We'll see.
p.s. My husband had a Kefir drink waiting for me, so I could get some good bacteria back in there right away. Then I had oatmeal at home.
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Barsco, Good for you, back working part time.
Chacha, So glad your DIEP went well. Sorry I have been so preoccupied lately.
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Blech, Elimar, sounds like a seriously unfun day at the hospital. Keep us posted.
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AW...I HATE the thought of you crying without us being able to help!! Does the AREA of where the cancer is colon/rectum make a difference in treatment and/or outcome??? Why couldn't they get the scope further up? Should they have been going the other way instead? hehehheeee (says she who just had a gastroscopy!)
barsco, what I meant was are they still searching for what is causing your digestion issues or have they come to a conclusion. If you have a colonoscopy coming up, I guess not.
Figures this thread would turn out to be about the bowels!!! We have to be careful about what we joke about....
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Eli,
Hugs to you. How you continue to be so caring and funny and "there" for others through all this is truly a testiment to the wonderful person you are. I know I am not alone when I think of checking in on this forum to read the fun, uplifting and inspirational musings you (and others) post. We need you. We need you to light a fire under robo-doc's ass and let him know that nothing but a speedy, successful outcome will be accepted. I figure he must be very good at his job; why on earth would anyone want to be "that" kind of surgeon?
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I really did not want to turn my nice B/C thread into Colon Central. Supporting evidence to that claim is that I have had, you know, ...bleeding for over a year (mistaken for hemorrhoidal bleeding) and had not mentioned a word. When it turned out C/C (and that first "C" is coloRECTAL,) I figured I had to mention it here, as we all do have a slightly greater risk to get that. Just like I would bring up endometrial or ovarian cancer if that occured.
Barbe, They said my colon was "twisted." Like brain, like bowels. No one called me twisted last time but they told me the bowels aren't anchored and do move around. You asked about area. Well, we have a lot more colon to spare, so to speak. Lots of people with rectal cancer get the dreaded colostomy bag. I don't think that will be me since my surgery will be at the uppermost end and I will have something left over. What, I don't know.
Momine, LMGoats, others, take it from me: Don't be fearful of getting the c-scope. Your real fear should be that you might be hosting some naughty polyps in there; and remember, there is no such thing as a good polyp. As the saying goes, "Not all polyps are colon cancer, but virtually all colon cancer begins as polyps.
Staynsane, Humor and ranting are my two coping mechanisms, which occasionally overlap.
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Eli.....staynsane said it best! You are incredible and such an inspiration to so many of us. Love you, girl!
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Chacha, That was 9.5 on the gushiness scale! Tied with Staynsane.
THANKS TO ALL MY DEAR MIDDIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I also should say that I have not "announced" to my RL friends yet. A couple do know, if they have called me in the last week. Waiting til I know more about the surgery, etc. Of course, we all know how the NCP (non-cancer people) have mixed reactions to this kind of news. THAT IS WHY I AM SO LUCKY that I have all of you and your understanding.
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And WE are SO LUCKY to have you Eli!! You can kick this CC's butt!!! Tee hee! Give it a case of whoop ass! :-)
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Yeah, a real A$$ KICKING!
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Eli- despite the stuff you have been through you still have a great sense of humor. Non of it is funny at all, You are one strong lady. I feel foolish about bitching about my dam electrified pubic hair that is now growing on my head. Maybe I will try to post a picuture so you can have a good laugh. What else can we do.
My friends sister is going through chemo for CC and has not lost her hair. I hope that is the same for you.
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Eli, I don't think we live in the same geo area at all but some day - some how - you and I have to meet up! I think our take on things is very similar and our coping/dealing mechanisms. Hell, it's worked well so far, no reason to change it now. I too love you as only people on this thread understand. It's real and we know it. I will cart cheetos to the end of the earth for you
Okay...probably not. But I will pray for you 'cause that's part of my thing. I will think of you often when I know you're facing tests or results. I will ask hub to send healing vibes, cause that's his thing. Thanks for sharing all the details with us - everything we share with each other enriches us all and empowers us all.Okay...that's my monthly serious post - it's almost Friday, and we all know that for me, that means a bit of ... shall we say ... celebrating? So the next posts will be back to normal hillariousness!!!!
Hugs and love buds.
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E ~ There are a few words in the Sons of Anarchy theme song that I attribute to you:
"gotta look this world in the eye."
("This Life" - Curtis Stigers & the Forest Rangers)
You are one of the most positive, forward-looking women I have ever known.
(hey, as I write that, I'm a'thinkin' I might just put that in my signature line. Feel like a change.)
Hugs to you, my dear sister/friend!
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Eli - was hoping for better news for you. Sending ((hugs)) and good thoughts your way. Work is going ok - sure is a bit tougher getting back into the swing of things than I thought it would be.
Barbe - yes still searching for the cause of tummy troubles. Also have a barium xray coming up (forgot about that till Eli mentioned it).
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Val, Maybe I was a biker dude in a past life?
Barsco, I think I could have tolerated mine o.k. if I didn't have a few remaining air pockets in there. Good Luck!
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We've now reached 22,000 posts. Wowza! Guess I am not the only Middie that likes to go on about stuff.
Let's look at the official tally of topics...
All things relating to B/C ............. 67.5%
Cheetos .................................... 14%
Random Musings ....................... 6.5%
Stuff I Just Made Up ................... 5%
Loving Family/Friends/Pets ......... 3%
Dopey Family/Friends/Pets ......... 2.5%
Shirtless Men ............................. 1%
Labyrinths(*) & Miscellany .......... <.5%
(*) Inside joke for some of the oldest Middies out there. Still one of my favorite posts.
I think Dianarose should bake us some fancy-looking treats for this momentous occasion. Oh Geez, I forgot to tally up "Virtual Snacking," besides the Cheetos. That's got to be another 8% right there. Well, now the total is up to 108%. (You'll have to find another thread if you want better math.)0 -
barsco, when I googled gastroscopy before I got mine (my 5th one) as I tend to do now before I get a medical procedure, it said that barium xrays are rarely used now as actually going in and looking are better. Why aren't you getting a gastroscopy instead? Only thing I can think of is if they are giving you fuzzy stuff to drink DURING the xray (I had that 20 years ago). Dr. B signing off....
e - I tend to use humour as a defense as well and the problem is that medical people then think I'm okay. I've lain there in the ER with wires connected to every inch of my body an IV drips and beeping monitors and say to my DH, I TOLD you I didn't feel good! Then when a nurse comes in I say "We're just playing video games, hang on it's his turn...."
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Eli so sorry I missed your PP. I was so hoping you would not have to have chemo and rads. My FIL had rectal cancer as well, but I don't recall what stage he was and that was 20 years ago. He did have chemo and rads. The chemo was what you are talking about he wore a pump. He then had surgery and then had more chemo. The first chemo was pretty easy on him and he was 70 at the time. His hair thinned a little but he never lost it. The rads, well it did cause a lot of scar tissue that he had to deal with. The after surgery chemo was for prevention and they used an IV and a pill. It made him sick as a dog and he ended up in the ER twice so they quit since it was for prevention. He had 3 out of 6 rounds done when the MO said enough is enough. I so hope you do not end up with a colostomy bag altho I know people who have them and you would never know it. You have been such a support to everyone here so now it is our time to be your rock for you. If this turns into a CC thread for Eli I am fine with that you deserve it girl.
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I am NOT fine with this thread turning into something about my colon. Nothing would disappoint me more. I've already probably scared away a half dozen B/C Newbies. I feel guilty enough veering off the B/C subject (tho' surprisingly have no remorse about all the Cheetos chatter.)
Also, no mentions of my name and colostomy bag in the same sentence. please. Thank you.
Sherryc, my MIL had colon cancer 12 years ago, still surviving. I tried to get her info., but she is so dottery, she could not remember. Tried to find out if she had actual abdominal surgery, but her answer was, "No, I didn't have my kids that way."
I just have two scans today, but won't know anything til next week. So, how 'bout back to our regularly scheduled B/C topics, and the festivities of reaching the 22,000 post mark. I've already celebrated with some bonbons. Want some?
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Hairy bon bons!!???
Eeeewwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!! He can lick them first and then put them in my mouth....ehehehehehehe. Try that one on for a guy...if you can put it in your mouth first, then I will....hehehehehehee0 -
Barbe, LOL! You nasty girl! However, there is no pleasing you. You can't stand the waxed chests, and I tried so hard to find a natural, hairy, yet studly one. So, what is it? Do they have to be waxed or shaven when in association with treats perched upon them, but otherwise hairy? Let me know and I will get it right the next time. Promise.
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That's hysterical
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Hairy chest smooth chest as long as the chest is nice!
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Barbe - The requisition form says "small bowel follow through" - that's it. However, when I called to schedule it, I was told that I would be there for a couple of hours because I have to wait for something to get into my system. I thought I heard barium mentioned. Should I be worried? I have had an upper endoscopy which showed nothing.
I'm not a big fan of hairy chests, but I am definitely a chocolate fan! I'll take Barbe's (unless it's already been licked)
On another note - my 19 yr old son has just accepted a job in Alberta (that's like 3 provinces away!) and starts in less than 2 wks! Lots to do between now and then. DH and I will sure miss him (he's our one and only) but we support him 100% - it is a tremendous opportunity for him. He does have to leave the nest sometime right?
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enjoyed the math-does the virtual cruise fall into the miscellany cause that was an awesome party!
Hairy chest any day over a bald one, but don't want that hair growing up the shoulders & around the back -yeew!
And yes please to the bon-bons. Don't think I want them licked 1st though!
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Gah. You guys fell off my favorite topics... there are pages of posts to read.
Sorry things are going south Elimar. I hope treatment goes well and quickly.
So you want a small laugh? I've been whingeing about sooo many appointments. If it's not an oncologist it's an optometrist or an ENT or an orthodontist. So I was looking at my calendar and starting the week of December 17th I start a month with no appointments. YAY! Maybe I can do something radical like get my hair done or something. So this AM I got an email from our insurance company. They've scheduled my annual health screening for right smack in the middle of my month. Boo. It's no big deal, walk across campus, the do a little blood test A1C and cholesterol, check the blood pressure. But really? As if my bp doesn't get checked almost daily? So I checked...can I skip this one? I've been tested, I swear. Nope. If you want the plan with better coverage you've got to do the wellness steps and this is one of them. Grrrr. On the bright side, it won't cost anything and it's right here at work. On the other hand it's another 15 minutes of my life and I'll have to listen to how sorry some clumsy student nurse is telling me how sorry she is that she couldn't draw a blood sample and waiting for the one whose good with needles... bah. What do you want to bet there are more appointments lurkning out there. Then of course in February we do the 1 year out anniversary tour.
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Ooooohhhhh! Hold the chocolate and I'll do all my mouth watering over the hairy chest!
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Are you SURE shirtless men was only 1%? Maybe that should be " upped" a bit. Mmmmmmm
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Cindy, you took me back ... I clearly remember the day I looked at my little pocket yearly calendar and saw no appts for a month - seriously, it was one of happiest days of my life! I don't think you should count the annual insurance stuff ... don't write that one in so the month will still be clear
Speaking of which...as some of you know I started with a new primary - doctor - and went yesterday for a consult on the results of their workup (mandatory for all new patients) and I was pleasantly surprised. A couple things on the high end of normal, but overall very good. A little high on overall cholesterol (202...I'll take it!) but my good chol was high and my bad chol was low. The other things on the high end have always been high, nothing new there, so I was a happy girl driving home.
22,000 posts? damn we're a talkative bunch, aren't we?? lol I personally like a hairy chest, but I'll take my chocolate unhaired thank you very much.
Joni, thanks for the memory of the virtual cruise - one of the best times I ever had on here.
Okay, here's my Fri contribution to our party theme ... I agree the shirtless men conversations should go way over 1% ... let's bring our overall total to 120%, whaddya say kids??
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