The Colon Club

Hello. New here today and just stumbled upon this great site. A little background here...my Father passed away from stage 4 colon cancer February 10th of this year. I miss him dearly. . . so..now...why I am here....last week I found myself in the E.R. with severe right abdominal pain which has been constant for a while with sharp jabbimg pains at times. ..and pain in my lower right side in my back....after many tests and ruling out appendicitis or liver, kidney problems....I was told that they had found the problem and it was a simple appendigitis of the distal descending colon and pain should relieve itself in a few days with the help of I.B. Profin. All surrounding areas looked fantastic. There is also a 7 mm lesion "possibly due to "epolopic appendicitis (some weird temporary torsion ordeal)" according to report with peripheral thick enhancement and central fat....but my thoughts are.....hmmmm my Dad just passed of colon cancer and a 7mm lesion has been found on CAT scan....my family doctor saw me two days following the E.R. visit and has referred me out to a specialist for a colonoscopy. I sometimes have stomach cramps that last a few seconds and disappear on their own. I assumed IBS issues although I have never been diagnosed IBS but I do have an anxiety disorder so....IBS is very possible in my opinion...okay... Also they found this ... more proximaly along line of descending colon a 1.6 by 0.7 central fat attenuation that may be due to omental infraction. I sure hope they are correct. I keep trying to research if anyone else has ever had something like this turn out to be cancer...and I have red that appendigitis (epolopic appendicitis of the colon) can sometimes be caused by cancer. My Dad made me promise him I would get a colonoscopy..a.s.a.p. I am only 36 years old. He was 54 when he passed away...52 when diagnosed and 45 when his symptoms started. I know this may also sound silly...but I am very afraid of a mistake during the colonoscopy...like death from it. I love my babies. I have two young children. I am honestly scared..but my family doctor is great and told me try not to stress over this. My surrounding organs look beautiful so if its anything serious there is still lots of hope. I look forward to your support. Thanks.

I'm sorry that you have to be here, but this is a great place to be. Amazing folks here who just get what you're going through because we've all been there to one degree or another. I'm so sorry that you've lost your dad and and are going through so much, but I'm so glad that you are getting a colonoscopy. There are so many things that the pains in our guts can be, and a colonoscopy is the best way to find out what it is. Good for your PCP for putting in the order and good for you for keeping your promise to your dad. Honestly the worst part of the colonoscopy is the prep! The scope itself is easy peasy and you're just going to take a nap. Be ready to wake up hungry!

P.s. If your doctor will allow it, ask for the Prepopik bowel prep. Hands down the least repulsive of all the drinks!

I really do understand your fear of something going wrong during the colonoscopy. But here’s the thing: you’re much more likely to die in a car accident than from a colonoscopy. Like a lot more likely. Do you drive?

I really don’t mean to make light of your fear. Honestly. But as a Stage IV cancer patient, I feel that I have the right (sort of) to keep after you in place of your father (who truly knew best): get the colonoscopy. Make your father happy and put your mind at rest. Those two accomplishments are priceless.

Hello and welcome the club,

First I am very sorry for your loss. It must be very hard for you to cope with your loss and going through the fear of cancer.

I am 39 years old and just 2 weeks ago had my 5th colonoscopy. I had my 1st colonoscopy when i was 28. No, I don't have cancer. Or at least not yet. But i was ready to do everything and anything to prevent it from happening or catching it as early as possible, even if it meant yearly colonoscopies for me.

Any surgical or medical intervention has potential life threatening risks. From as small as complications from tooth extraction to complications from childbirth.

Go for your colonoscopy, get your piece of mind so you can fully enjoy your beautiful babies.

Good luck!

The fear that a colonoscopy causes on so many is probably the reason a big percentage of colon cancers are not found early. How do we make it less frightening? I never had a fear of it, but I suppose it’s different when you have to do it during treatment as opposed to doing it preventively. I’ve had FIVE, there are people on here who’ve had more even. It’s painless, very safe, quick and can save your life! DO IT!!

Yes. Thank you guys. I actually was thinking about the car wreck wreck chance this morning and was trying to put my mind at ease. Yes my Dad was adamant about us girls getting checked out and most especially me. I am the oldest. Also because My Mom passed from pancreatic cancer in 2005. I am so sorry about what many of you are going through . I am glad that I already know nothing has spread yet IF it's anything to worry about and that IF it's anything to worry about I am catching it early. Thanks again.

I'm so very sorry for the loss of your Mom and Dad!*hugs* Welcome to the group! I'm sorry you're going through this and hope you will be able to get a colonoscopy soon!*hugs*

My colonoscopy is Monday morning. I am so scared...
Dreading the prep...also scared if they find something, scared if they do not and miss something, scared of an accident in the procedure, . . .My biggest prayer is to wake up after the non eventful procedure....to REALLY good news.....to come home that day and eat and love on my kiddos with no fear of a major illness and to just move on and REALLY live! I am wondering how to get genetic testing. My Dad had colon cancer, My Mom had pancreatic, My grandma breast cancer, .....wondering if it could be a lynch syndrome ordeal. Thanks for the support guys! Prayers for u all and a hope for a cure!

So sorry to hear about your dad and I can totally relate to your fears—-I just had my first colonoscopy today (I’m 34 and my 68 year old mother just got diagnosed in October—I started thinking about how I had occasional rectal bleeding for like over a decade which was always attributed to hemmroids and then I literally started giving myself a bunch of other symptoms like loose stools and side pain.) I was somewhat scared of the procedure but far more scared about the news I could receive after—needless to say since starting the prep last night until this morning I was a complete wreck. But, guess what—I was told my colon was totally normal and not even a polyp or internal hemmroid was found (I do have a small external one that I already knew about—thanks childbirth!) but after hearing that good news I literally couldn’t stop crying because I was so relieved—and I bet the same will happen for you. I kept telling myself ok if I DO have cancer, this procedure will help me FIND it so I can FIGHT it and if there isn’t any I will feel immense relief that I can say I got checked out and now can be on a good screening schedule (5 years by the way for me.) So try to think of it that way. The procedure was a BREEZE. I was entirely put under with propofol and it was the best nap I’ve had in awhile. I felt nothing when I woke up and I’ve eaten like a horse today to make up for lost meals. The prep was...not super fun, but honestly having a stomach bug is far worse IMO. Regarding lynch, did your dad have any pathology records on his tumor? I know my mom’s was tested and it was MSS and there were a bunch of mutations tested with notes that basically said this is strongly suggestive of Lynch negative because there was no MSI. I know your family history is more complicated than mine so I bet the GI would be a great resource to ask if and how you go about genetic testing. I will be thinking about you on Monday—please keep us posted!!

I was scared before my first colonoscopy. This video that Katie Couric did helped me immensely. I'd give her a hug if I had the chance!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adMfyB-eHoI

If you keep watching after Katie's video in horizon'slink the next one to follow is even more inspiring....

mob

Sounds like your colonoscopy is today. Hoping for positive results for you. Regardless of why you find out today, it would be advisable to get genetic testing, to rule out things like lynch as you mentioned.
Take care,
Korey

Well guys...It didn't happen today. I had a very hard time with the prep...3 bottles of magnisium citrate....the 3rd one had me throwing up profusely. My colon wasn't clean enough even though I did everything asked of me. I am rescheduled for next week...next they will have me try a malax Gatorade solution. Hope that works.

I have had three colonoscopies using the prep called suprep. ( it’s also gross) Here are some tips that I have learned. I find it hard not to gag with every sip so I figured some things out. I make sure the prep is chilled along with the water I mix with it.
I plug my nose throughout the swallowing process AND KEEP IT PLUGGED WHILE I RINSE MY MOUTH WITH REGULAR WATER AND SPIT. Unplugging my nose only when I have thoroughly rinsed my mouth. I also have peppermint oil to sniff in between drinks. And some cold sprite just to sip tiny sips of to introduce a new flavor to my mouth. And I pat my face with a cold cloth. I also try to eat light during the week following up to the procedure so there is less to clean out.
Hope this helps,
Korey

I’m sorry.

I also used Suprep and it was nasty but I tried to hold my nose and literally chug it for like 5 gulps and then walk away and repeat about 5 times until it was gone. Did it in about 3 minutes.