4(ish) year colonoscopy results

[NZJay]

Hi All,

Just a quick update.
2 years ago I had a post-chemo scope which showed a bunch of (7 or so) new polyps, so I had another scope scheduled for last week.
Results; only 1 tiny polyp which they said they're 99% sure isn't pre-cancerous!
This means no scopes for 5 years .

Throwaway comment; last time they used a technique where they heavily inflated my bowel, and it was quite painful. This time they used what they call the "water technique" and it didn't hurt at all.
This was done with no sedation aside from my usual klonopin, as I had noone to pick me up after the procedure and needed to rush back to work.
So yeah - really happy the procedure is being improved!

Next milestone for me is my 4 year scan, which is due next month but realistically won't happen until January or February.

Overall feeling good. My fatigue issues have improved a little, and bowel control is good.
The only daily issues I still face are psychological; particularly in developing and maintaining new relationships. Unsure if i have mentioned before, but I was dx with ptsd as a result of the cancer treatment. In a practical sense, I have emotional shutdown periods and get really fatigued by being around people for too long at a time.
I manage my stressful job really well, and also raising my daughter by myself is going fine; but outside of that I can't seem to manage much.
But hey I have a dog so who really cares

Best wishes to all

[stu]

Best news . Glad to hear you and your daughter are doing so well .
When the times right the other issues will slot into place . That I am sure of .
Take care ,
Stu

[Thetoad]

Good to read you are ok. Stressful time when the scans etc. are due. As you know, I'm about the same time frame as you. I'm 4 years on 13 Nov and the colonoscopy was planned for October, but may not be until January. No CT scans were planned. Good luck with everything and give your dog a pat from Dunedin!

[Robino1]

Good news for sure!

Sorry about the PTSD though. Hopefully that will resolve with time(?)

Hey, ya got a dog...right?!?!

[NZJay]

Good to read you are ok. Stressful time when the scans etc. are due. As you know, I'm about the same time frame as you. I'm 4 years on 13 Nov and the colonoscopy was planned for October, but may not be until January. No CT scans were planned. Good luck with everything and give your dog a pat from Dunedin!

Thanks buddy, and same to you.
Just to clarify - how many annual CT scans did you have? We seem to scan much less than in the USA.
I had to battle to get them to agree to a 4 year scan (my next one).

[Thetoad]

Hi there. I've had 3 CT scans, but the first was to have a look before surgery and the second the day after to check. They saw two pockets of infection in the latter which were cleared up with antibiotics. The third was a surveillance one 1 1/2 years after surgery. My first colonoscopy was a year after surgery and I'm nervously waiting for one now three years later, I.e 4 years post surgery. As far as I know there are no more CT scans planned. i don't know about future colonoscopies, it probably depends on what they find or hopefully not find! To complicate things a bit, I had my gallbladder out 5 months ago. I'm seeing a dietician this afternoon as my BM's are not great and being me I think something is wrong. But with over half my bowel gone and no gallbladder I guess that's to be expected? And they say tumours take 10 years or so to develop, so don't panic. 4 years is a good milestone too. Oh, one more thing, CEA tests went from 3 monthly, then 6 monthly and the specialist nurse appts are now yearly. All scans, the colonoscopy and CEA tests have been normal so far. Enough about me, I hope all goes well for you with everything to come. Say hi to your daughter from me.

[Lee]

Sorry about PTST. That can be a real issue at times.

And wow, 5 yrs out until your next scope. I'm only allowed to go 3 yrs out so far.

Congratulations on NED status

All the best,

Lee

[DarknessEmbraced]

Congratulations on good colonoscopy results and hope you get good scan results as well!*hugs*

[fumaros]

It's good to hear from you and congratulations on the good news. It's hard to be good at "life" after dealing with a terrible ordeal. All the best with the next scan.

[SweetC80]

Congratulations and great news! Sorry to hear about the PTSD struggles.

[CRguy]

The only daily issues I still face are psychological; particularly in developing and maintaining new relationships. Unsure if i have mentioned before, but I was dx with ptsd as a result of the cancer treatment. In a practical sense, I have emotional shutdown periods and get really fatigued by being around people for too long at a time.

Congrats on the good scopin' Jay, that's what we like to hear, here !!!!

About the fatigue / emotional / PTSD stuff = yup
sounds like me ... BUTT since I also have grandkids and a dog = also like you, I seem to be rolling along
a little better the further out I get

Cheers my friend
Thanks for the update
CRguy