The Colon Club

Hello everyone. I knew to this board but have spent the last few days perusing the posts. I'm blown away by everyone's kindness, courage and knowledge.

I thought I'd step in with a post. I've had very loose bowels since my mid 20's. I never really had any pain associated with them. I just always had to go a lot, in the morning, sometimes up to 5 times. Occasionally, I'd have an afternoon episode as well, after eating lunch. No stomach cramps, just a sensation of urgency.

I never really thought anything of it, until my mother was diagnosed with colon cancer at age 59. She finished up chemo for Stage IIIb cancer this past summer. (She's also had a lumpectomy and radiation for breast cancer, as well.)

At my last physical, I had talked with my physician about my bowel movements and due to my family history, she suggested a colonoscopy. I had planned on getting one, but at the time, my second-born child was only a few months old and still breastfeeding ALL THE TIME, so I put off scheduling the test because my daughter wouldn't except any method of feeding but me.

Well, now she's 15 months and I was ready to schedule a colonoscopy but hadn't yet gotten around to it. Two days ago I had some even more liquid BM's than usual, and I was surprised to see a fair amount of blood on the TP and in the toilet. Not to be gross, but a line of it from the top of the bowl down into the toilet, and little clots. This was repeated two more times with each successive bowel movement.

Again, no pain. Needless to say, I am freaking out. And today, my tailbone is hurting me, and of course, like an idiot I Google 'tailbone pain and colon cancer' and get way too many hits. I'm actually shaking, I'm so afraid.

My first appintment with the gastroenterologist is next week. Obviously, I won't be getting the colonoscopy first thing. Does anyone know what I can expect? A manual examination of the rectum, followed by a scheduled colonoscopy?

I appreciate any and all feedback, as I feel like I seriously need a fistful of Xanax at this time.

Well, Kelly, it sounds like you have plenty of compelling reasons to get checked out. A colonoscopy is a good step to take. I don't know your age, but I am guessing a bit on the younger side. Don't let doctors dismiss your symptoms due to your age. I was diagnosed at age 35, and there are younger pups than me on here!

With that said, your problems could be due to many different things. It's not necessarily cancer, but even if it is there are a lot of innovative treatments that have come out in the past few years that offer great hope. Don't freak out too much from what you find on the Internet in terms of dismal statistics and horror stories. There are plenty of dismal and not-accurate things to read on the Internet. When I was first diagnosed in May of 2005, I read some statistics on the 'net that led me to believe I'd be dead before Christmas, and here I am in 2007, NED (no evidence of disease) and generally feeling quite well. But you don't even have a diagnosis yet ... you might have a much smaller problem than cancer. Get checked out, hope for a simple solution, let us know what happens, and maybe we can help you sort through all of the information.

Rodney

(oh ... Xanax is fun, but maybe a fist-full would be a bit much all at once)

I agree that you need to get checked out soon. Cancer is only one possibility. Loose stools and urgency alone can be IBS, but with a family history of CC and the recent appearance of blood, you need further evaluation. There are many types of colitis that can look like this. Some are acute and others are chronic. Could be lots of things. The important thing to do is find out what it is and get it treated as soon as possible. One of my many rules for living is "Panic is never necessary unless there are spiders involved." So don't panic. The worst case is colorectal cancer, and even if that's it, there's hope.

Kelly wrote: Does anyone know what I can expect? A manual examination of the rectum, followed by a scheduled colonoscopy?

When I first visited my gastroenterologist, he didn't examine my rectum. Just a brief history, blood pressure, listened to my chest. Took a long time explaining options: colonoscopy, virtual colonoscopy, and so on. He recommended colonoscopy, and I of course agreed. I signed a consent form. His staff made me two appointments: one at the hospital for the procedure and one a day earlier to instruct me about "prep" -- the laxative you have to take the day before. But that's just his routine. Maybe something more exciting will happen to you.

My brother died of colon cancer at the age of 48. He was diagnosed at the age of 44 and probably had it since he was 34. It was too late for him but not too late for his 5 other siblings to get checked. We were a year apart and I procrastinated for over a year before scheduling my first colonoscopy. I had 6 polyps and 3 were precancerous. My sister at the age of 36 had hers and had to have part of the colon removed and the cecum. She is fine now. We all get screened every three years. With your mothers diagnosis, you are making the right choice to get checked now. If you have other siblings, they should make appointments now too. Good luck.

Hi, Kelly. !st of all, Don't panic! Your symptoms could be one of a dozen different possibilities!

Secondly, to anyone, don't diagnose yourself using the internet as your doctor. You could end up thinking you have cancer when you have somethinf minor, or, as in my case, you could diagnose yourself with something minor (piles) when you have cancer.

Hopefully you'll be ok, but if it is something major, you'll be treated for it! Stay positive!

Hi, Kelly. !st of all, Don't panic! Your symptoms could be one of a dozen different possibilities!

Secondly, to anyone, don't diagnose yourself using the internet as your doctor. You could end up thinking you have cancer when you have somethinf minor, or, as in my case, you could diagnose yourself with something minor (piles) when you have cancer.

Hopefully you'll be ok, but if it is something major, you'll be treated for it! Stay positive!

Yeah you are getting checked out! Good for you! Let us know how it all turns out! I was arleady admitted to the hospital and technically didn't meet my gastro doc till I had my dad checked out! Yeah good drugs that knock you out for the Colonoscopy...of course you could be awake for yours...it just depends. I read one memeber said request the MAC stuff that you won't wake up grogey...check out the 'first colonoscopy advice' on the boards that has lots of good tips.

The important thing is you are getting checked out. I know it's really scary right now. That was the scariest thing for me is NOT knowing what you have. Cancer was the last thing I could imagine...but you could acutally feel the tumor inside me and it took the CT scan to reveal the sucker. The first doc i went to see thought it was my gall bladder...i wish! It sounds like you are on the right track. they'll take pics of stuff from the colonoscopy...you may not remember it so make sure you have someone with you so they can tell you later. plus, you won't be able to drive that day anyway!

best wishes and keep thinking positive

Kelly,

Its been over a week...How did your appointment with the GI go? I pray that it was unremarkable and that you are fine.
Do update the colon club on your journey.

Holly