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Date Posted: 13:24:33 03/27/11 Sun
Author: dianne C
Author Host/IP: S01060013d47eedb8.cg.shawcable.net / 174.0.75.241
Subject: Long but important

I want all of you to know this so that maybe you’ll avoid the big problem I had. It’s directed to people approaching 50 or those over 50. Get a colonoscopy. In Calgary the test is highly recommended to those of that ‘certain age’, but I waited a little too long.

I started having ‘signs’ that things might be wrong and went to visit my doctor who had me do the pre-test for colon cancer. It was very suspect and bless my doctor’s heart, he got me in for a colonoscopy within 2 weeks. (The normal waiting list is 3 years.)

I ‘prepped’ for 2 days (the most unpleasant part) and when it was time for the actual procedure it was easy…..until the doctor doing it said “we’re calling an ambulance and taking you to emergency where you will have surgery to remove the cancerous growth.” Alas, there were many worse emergencies before me so I stayed in the hospital for 4 days before getting to the O/R.

I lucked out and got the most fantastic surgeon in Calgary. I was in the hospital for a total of 2 weeks and lost 20 pounds. What a way to do it.
It was so good to get home and my husband tried his best to be a nurse….he didn’t do too badly. Fantastic friends brought over fantastic meals and we didn’t have to cook for over a week. I mention this so we’ll all remember that if someone is in similar circumstances … no flowers – just FOOD. I think it saved our marriage!

On Wednesday last I went for my post surgery check up. The doctor has given me clearance to run and jump and play. I almost floated to the ceiling when he told me that he’d removed all of the cancer including the surrounding lymph nodes. I go back in 3 months for a CT scan and to get final clearance.

And now I repeat….Colon Cancer is one cancer that is curable. It’s hereditary and if there’s anyone in your family who’s had it, chances are you will too. Have yourself checked at 50. They can ‘see’ 10 years into the future when they do the scope so you probably won’t have to have another done for 10 years.

If you have any questions about anything, just ask. I’d be pleased to nag and to tell you everything I know about anything related to this.

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Replies:

[> I had one a couple years ago and everything was fine -- Kathy, 15:16:07 03/27/11 Sun [1] (pool-68-238-12-226.chi.dsl-w.verizon.net/68.238.12.226)

I'm so happy the surgery was successful and you are on the mend. Thanks for listening to your body.


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[> [> I had mine two years ago... -- jayne, 14:30:30 03/28/11 Mon [1] (c-98-224-75-95.hsd1.ca.comcast.net/98.224.75.95)

...when I turned fifty. I had seven polyps, three of them "pre-cancerous". The doc just took them out while he was in there. So grateful that I have good insurance that covers this very important test. I go back in one year, and if all is well I won't have to do it again for five years. Yes, the "prep" is by far the worst part of it. But, thank you Dianne C. for posting this. At fifty, EVERYONE needs to get a colonoscopy. Very, very glad that you are OK. What an ordeal!


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[> Wow so glad you'll be ok...had mine at age 50 also and it was fine. -- madonna, 15:45:38 03/27/11 Sun [1] (207-179-66-162.static.acd.net/207.179.66.162)

cleardayz@myway.com



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[> I'm glad you caught it in time, Dianne. I've had -- sami, 17:33:09 03/27/11 Sun [1] (24-179-147-98.dhcp.stcd.mn.charter.com/24.179.147.98)

one before and really, really hated the prep part. Ugh. But yeah, it's worth it to know.

On another note, and no offense, but your "normal 3 year waiting list" and having to wait 4 days for emergency surgery in Canada make me really glad we don't have socialized medicine here. ;-)


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[> [> Glad we do Sami... -- Dianne C, 20:38:42 03/27/11 Sun [1] (S01060013d47eedb8.cg.shawcable.net/174.0.75.241)

Wouldn't be able to afford it otherwise. There always seems to be a way to get there if need be.


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[> Re: Long but important -- Jenn, 19:18:34 03/27/11 Sun [1] (pool-71-170-235-80.dllstx.fios.verizon.net/71.170.235.80)

Glad you were able to get everything taken care of. I can't imagine a 3 year wait for a colonoscopy - wow!

My husband's dad died of colon cancer. He ignored many signs that something was wrong and delayed treatment while in denial. Hubby knows he will have to go in much earlier than normally recommended. Dad just went in for his first last week. There is a lot they can see and do while they're already in there....


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[> Sending you lots & lots of love .... -- chezmere, 23:06:56 03/27/11 Sun [1] (adsl-75-51-184-153.dsl.lsan03.sbcglobal.net/75.51.184.153)

Hope your recovery is speedy! Anything I can do to help?


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[> so glad they got it all..... -- llewmark, 05:49:04 03/28/11 Mon [1] (d149-67-100-93.try.wideopenwest.com/67.149.93.100)

My mother died of colon cancer 7 1/2 yrs ago. we knew she had it, had all the signs and all her family had it. she would not go for a colonoscopy. colon cancer is one that is preventable . just need to catch it early. the prep is was is bad not the test. so glad you are doing ok. i have had several even before my mom because it is related to breast cancer which i had but have been cancer free for 19 yrs. keeping you in my prayers.


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[> Yep, have a friend... -- suek, 09:40:45 03/28/11 Mon [1] (NoHost/12.174.118.19)

...who was diagnosed a good 20 years ago; got it removed, has no problem since - total remission.

Had my first colonoscopy at 50 (2 years ago) - ugh on prep, but well worth the peace of mind.

Glad you're feeling better!!


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[> Thanks everyone -- Dianne C, 10:12:12 03/28/11 Mon [1] (S01060013d47eedb8.cg.shawcable.net/174.0.75.241)

I'm so glad that so many of you have followed up on this. It's so preventable.


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[> Wow, I'm very glad you're ok!! -- lynne, 13:30:58 03/28/11 Mon [1] (login.hoffmanenc.com/12.158.208.2)

I turn 50 next month and was already planning on having a colonoscopy (and dreading the prep...).

Hub's dad had colon cancer 7 or 8 years ago. I didn't know it was so likely for hubs to get it, too. Thanks for that info! I'm sure he'd have the colonoscopy anyway (in three years; he's only 47) but now we'll be especially vigilant.


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[> So some advice on the prep... -- Steph, 15:23:06 03/29/11 Tue [1] (c-67-171-52-2.hsd1.wa.comcast.net/67.171.52.2)

I have had several colonoscopies so I feel like I am an expert..lol There are a couple of diff kinds of preps.One is drinking a gallon(no exaggeration) of this horrible lime flvored drink...I was crying by the time i got half way through...I don't normally drink a lot and it was unbearable. I still can't tolerate anything with lime in at and that was 5 years ago. The better kind of prep comes in a small bottle and you dissolve it into a liquid of your choice...so much easier. You still drink a lot but it was way easier than the jug of slimeaid.
Now to prepare, get your self a heated pad,electric blanket or something else warm...once you start ahem going...your body gets really cold. I could not stop shivering...it feels like you have the flu.It was so nice to have a warm blanket to throw on my shoulders when I needed it.
The procedure itself is a cakewalk...you wake up warm and sleepy and it's over. Good luck to you hope everything goes well!!1


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[> [> also... -- suek, 16:07:06 03/29/11 Tue [1] (adsl-70-130-140-110.dsl.stlsmo.swbell.net/70.130.140.110)

(my prep liquid came with flavor packets and was just 1/2 gallon; you could choose what flavor you wanted it - I did fruit punch) You can have jello during the prep day - I made some and it helped a lot because I got hungry during the prep/evac phase on the Sunday, and didn't have the procedure til after noon on Monday.


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[> Wow! So glad it all worked out! -- Katt, 09:42:13 03/30/11 Wed [1] (host-165-33-220-24.midco.net/24.220.33.165)


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[> Dave Berry tells us about his colonoscopy -- Dianne C - I love Dave Berry, 10:35:08 03/30/11 Wed [1] (S01060013d47eedb8.cg.shawcable.net/174.0.75.241)

http://www.miamiherald.com/2009/02/11/v-fullstory/427603/dave-barry-a-journey-into-my-colon.html


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