What's next?

[johnmeissner]

I recently had my one-year post-op colonoscopy, which came back showing no evidance of disease. Today I finally(whew!) received a letter from my doctor, which said, besides the good news, which I had gotten over the phone a couple of weeks ago, that it's reccomended that most patients get checked at the one-year, three-year, five-year, etc, etc mark. I've also heard that some get checked every year for three years, then go on a three, then five, etc, etc year schedule. As a stage one'er, does three years sound about right for my next scope?

[Wendy21]

Hi John,

Congratulations on the one year NED! When I had my one year colonoscopy, my colo-rectal specialist (affectionately called my "*ss man" came in to tell me everything looked great and that he'd be ok with seeing me in 2 years if my onc was ok with that. I remember telling him "better safe than sorry" and that I wanted to be "aggressively proactive". He said he would talk to me in 6 months about it. Well, by June, I was feeling pretty good and actually was looking forward to being calm enough to tell him that I could wait the extra year. When I went in to see him, he said, "so...let's schedule you for November for your yearly check"? Of course, I said I was ok with waiting, but he said he had changed his mind. He'd diagnosed too many under 40s and didn't want to take any chances. So...I get to get scoped again in November and again the year after. Then he said he would wait 2 years. So, I thnk what I'm trying to tell you is that apparently there isn't a cut and dried answer and that even the specialists aren't sure how often is enough (or too much).

[weisssoccermom]

Hi John,

I just had this conversation with my surgone & my onc. last week. I had stage I/IIA rectal cancer (varying opinions). I have my first post-surgery colonoscopy scheduled for the end of November. My surgeon (who does the colonoscopies) told me that if that one is good, I will not need another one for 3 years and then 5 and it will always stay at 5. I then saw my onc who thought every year for the first 2 then 3 then 5, but he deferred to the surgeon's recommendations. However, I still get every 3 month proctoscopies to check for local recurrence.

So, to answer your question, yes the 1, 3, 5 year pattern is what seems most common. My next door neighbor's dad had stage III colon cancer and he did the same pattern so it must be pretty common and responsible.

Jaynee

[helen098]

Thats great new John.
I think its kind of open to interperation after my last colonoscopy in April (my one year mark) I asked my rectal doctor when he wanted to do another one. He said what did want to do another one now.
I responded if you want me do I'll do it tomorrow. He laugher and said since everything was clear it would be a year or so. My oncologist ,when we were talking about follow up treatment, said once a year. So when ever they want me I'll be there. Is it just me or does the "phospho-soda" taste better this year?
Hope everything is good

[johnmeissner]

Thats great new John.
Is it just me or does the "phospho-soda" taste better this year?

It's certainly got to taste better than go(or half)lytely!!!!

[Hawaii]

The unflavored is the best, add it to 7up!