I'm 58 and was dx at 56 with rectal cancer. Trying to avoid anymore radiation or other tests, talked to my Dr. His conclusion, mammograms are a necessity as are Pap smears. The PET scans I get take the place of chest xrays only because I'm a non-smoker. You can also add bone density scans to my list...

2nd moral of the story - take charge of your health and don't rely on doctors 100% all the time. You've found, like so many here, that doctors don't always take our symptoms seriously. And the one who confused you with another patient? Yikes! Sadly, most folks here know all too well about the impor...

2/18/2011 I went for my first colonoscopy at age 55. I had had symptoms for about 6 years, bleeding, diahreah, etc. i was always told it was my IBS. And I do have IBS. Anyway, GI found a 5 cm polypoid mass at the anal verge before he even started the colonoscopy. Did the scope and all else was clean...

Bev, I post rarely, partly because I'm not sure I belong, and partly because of deep depression. There are days when I don't think I'll live long enough to see the sun go down. Please take care of yourself, take meds, talk to counselors, stand in the corner on your head. Whatever it takes to keep yo...

My granfather was a "guinea pig" for his doctors. He had squamous cell skin cancer on his face. The last time I saw him, he had an elephant trunk from his firehad to his chin. He had no lips, no palate, no nose, etc. he had no advocate, my father refused to even look at him and I was 17. I...

Please accept my heartfelt sympathies. A friend's loss will affect you forever.

I have received a fundraising letter from a sorority sister who has lymphoma. She is trying to raise funds to go to his clinic. After a lot of research, i have declined to participate. My money will be going to the account for her children instead.

Maybe it's terminology for some. Stick the word suicide in any sentence and people recoil..it's a word commonly used in sorority rush and holds all sorts of negative conotations. Death, by any means, is a no no word in most communities. Here in Texas, someone graduates or passes. I don't buy into th...

This my third PET/CT scan. Never had contrast. Original, before surgery showed no spread. Second, afer surgery, no spread. After a 1 year clear colonoscopy, i'm having my third. At no time, including the phone call I just received have I been given any restictions other than no exercise 48 hours pri...

I have hesitated to post as I am no where near what the rest of you have faced. I have no idea how I will die, it may be the result of Rectal Cancer or it may be something else. However, my RC diagnosis a year ago as a Stage 0 got me to thinking... I don't want to die at home, I want to be in a hosp...

Oogie was a little close to home. Yes, this is a book for EVERYONE. As i go through my journey (which looks phenominal from an RC point of view) through a family that thinks Hospice is a dirty word, your moms book is invaluable

Bought and read your mom's book. I'm a very strong Christian from a family who thinks they are spiritual. My dad swears that the reason my brother got a flat tire was because my 106 year old great-aunt had died. I think this book helps both camps. It would appeal to my Christian husband and daughter...

Terry,

You have no idea how much you helped me, knowing the prayers, etc. i can now only pray for you.

Go with peace. You have been a voice that has needed to be heard. You've made a difference in my life!

Fede, I can't help with the specifics of your father's case, or with this particular fruit. But I will tell you that I have lost the last year of my life with a Stage 0 rectal cancer. I read and studied everything. I knew that my cancer was spreading and I had been mis diagnosed. I sat in front of t...