Hello everyone, I’ve been speaking to my doctor about my health and symptoms I’m having.
With in the last few months I’ve have had some different symptoms going on. I noticed bright red blood in my stool and on the toilet paper after using the toilet. I went in and my doctor said I had a larger external hemroid that was posing a little bit of blood so he figured that was the cause. He prescribed prescription based ointment to use and my hemroid has shrunk, but still present.
After that visit I noticed changes in my bowel habits and the type of poo I leave behind. I contacted my doctor and told him and told him what’s going on and he said he will refer me to a GI doctor and have colonoscopy done just to rule things out.
Of course I’m now a nervous wreck and of course I immediately start thinking that it could be the worst news possible.
My doctor doesn’t seem to be greatly concerned in fact he wrote me this message.
“I don't want you to get too anxious about this! I don't think they will find anything bad, but I think it would be prudent to rule some things out with this procedure.”
However, I’m scared...not really with the thought of being my own Discovery Channel deep sea like exploration, but the results.
Any thoughts, prayers, or words of wisdom, words of encouragement, would be appreciated.
First Time Here - Anxiety is High
Re: First Time Here - Anxiety is High
Sorry you are going through this scare—I was recently there myself after my mom was diagnosed.
Your doc is doing the right thing by getting this checked out with a colonoscopy (which really is not that scary of a procedure).
How old are you out of curiosity? Any history of colon cancer in your family? When is your procedure scheduled?
I’ll be praying for good news for you!
Your doc is doing the right thing by getting this checked out with a colonoscopy (which really is not that scary of a procedure).
How old are you out of curiosity? Any history of colon cancer in your family? When is your procedure scheduled?
I’ll be praying for good news for you!
Caregiver to my amazing mom (68 at dx)
10/1/18 DX with rectal cancer; CEA 17
T3N2M0
Total neoadjuvant therapy:
8 rounds Folfox 11/5/18 - 2/11/19
Short course radiation 3/14/19 - 3/20/19
Robotically assisted laparoscopic LAR 3/21/19
Pathology report says yT2N0M0 with 0/38 nodes
6/28/19 Reversal and port out
CEA 2.1; 1.9; 2.6; 2.8; 2.3; 2.4; 3.0; 3.4; 3.1; 3.4; 3.0; 3.1; 2.6
Latest update: 8/21/23 Clear CT with CEA 2.6!
Me: 34, first colonoscopy 11/16/18—normal! Come back in 5 years.
10/1/18 DX with rectal cancer; CEA 17
T3N2M0
Total neoadjuvant therapy:
8 rounds Folfox 11/5/18 - 2/11/19
Short course radiation 3/14/19 - 3/20/19
Robotically assisted laparoscopic LAR 3/21/19
Pathology report says yT2N0M0 with 0/38 nodes
6/28/19 Reversal and port out
CEA 2.1; 1.9; 2.6; 2.8; 2.3; 2.4; 3.0; 3.4; 3.1; 3.4; 3.0; 3.1; 2.6
Latest update: 8/21/23 Clear CT with CEA 2.6!
Me: 34, first colonoscopy 11/16/18—normal! Come back in 5 years.
Re: First Time Here - Anxiety is High
You are doing the right thing. And feeling anxious is normal. But this is the right course of action. Like a typical guy, I wrote my symptoms off as hemorrhoids, which my dad has always dealt with. And of course, any stomach ache, I always attributed to eating something that didn't sit well. After all, I worked out. Lived a relatively healthy lifestyle, etc.
So, I'll be praying this is nothing for you. But I'm celebrating the fact you're being proactive.
So, I'll be praying this is nothing for you. But I'm celebrating the fact you're being proactive.
42 yr, male, husband and father of 3
DX Stage IV Colon Cancer Jan 2018
Multiple liver mets
KRAS G13D / MSS
Jan 2018 Partial colon resection
Mar 2018 FOLFOX + Avastin | CEA 60.1
July 2018 Partial liver resection | CEA 4.7
Sep 2018 Recurrence in liver | CEA 2.9
Oct 2018 FOLFOX + Avastin
Nov 2018 Stopping FOLFOX. New mets | CEA 4.3
Dec 2018 Beginning AbbVie ABT-165 Trial
DX Stage IV Colon Cancer Jan 2018
Multiple liver mets
KRAS G13D / MSS
Jan 2018 Partial colon resection
Mar 2018 FOLFOX + Avastin | CEA 60.1
July 2018 Partial liver resection | CEA 4.7
Sep 2018 Recurrence in liver | CEA 2.9
Oct 2018 FOLFOX + Avastin
Nov 2018 Stopping FOLFOX. New mets | CEA 4.3
Dec 2018 Beginning AbbVie ABT-165 Trial
Re: First Time Here - Anxiety is High
I am 42 years old and I can't say with any certainty that I have a family history of colon (or any other) cancer if my genes as I am adopted and never knew my biological parents. I must be honest, I am a little overweight....honestly I wish weight loss was like taxes...I don't have to do something and it sheds naturally.
I've been trying to keep light by watching comedians discuss their colonoscopies....
Robin Williams - "It's a little tiny camera on the end of a roto-router and it's going up you!!" And "When they pull that thing out, you become an Evinrude. Pfft... Pfft... Pfft... Pfft... Pfft...
I've been trying to keep light by watching comedians discuss their colonoscopies....
Robin Williams - "It's a little tiny camera on the end of a roto-router and it's going up you!!" And "When they pull that thing out, you become an Evinrude. Pfft... Pfft... Pfft... Pfft... Pfft...
Re: First Time Here - Anxiety is High
Well appointment has been made for January 3rd. I asked if it would be possible to see the doctor in a consultation setting and they said yes so that will be on January 2nd.
Now the waiting.
Now the waiting.
Re: First Time Here - Anxiety is High
Glad you got it scheduled! Try to focus on something else in the meantime.
Caregiver to my amazing mom (68 at dx)
10/1/18 DX with rectal cancer; CEA 17
T3N2M0
Total neoadjuvant therapy:
8 rounds Folfox 11/5/18 - 2/11/19
Short course radiation 3/14/19 - 3/20/19
Robotically assisted laparoscopic LAR 3/21/19
Pathology report says yT2N0M0 with 0/38 nodes
6/28/19 Reversal and port out
CEA 2.1; 1.9; 2.6; 2.8; 2.3; 2.4; 3.0; 3.4; 3.1; 3.4; 3.0; 3.1; 2.6
Latest update: 8/21/23 Clear CT with CEA 2.6!
Me: 34, first colonoscopy 11/16/18—normal! Come back in 5 years.
10/1/18 DX with rectal cancer; CEA 17
T3N2M0
Total neoadjuvant therapy:
8 rounds Folfox 11/5/18 - 2/11/19
Short course radiation 3/14/19 - 3/20/19
Robotically assisted laparoscopic LAR 3/21/19
Pathology report says yT2N0M0 with 0/38 nodes
6/28/19 Reversal and port out
CEA 2.1; 1.9; 2.6; 2.8; 2.3; 2.4; 3.0; 3.4; 3.1; 3.4; 3.0; 3.1; 2.6
Latest update: 8/21/23 Clear CT with CEA 2.6!
Me: 34, first colonoscopy 11/16/18—normal! Come back in 5 years.
Re: First Time Here - Anxiety is High
I had no family history, no risk factors (besides being a little bit over the weekly alcohol limit of 7 drinks for women), and no reason to think my symptoms of cramping and trace bleeding were anything to be concerned about. My primary care doc and GI doc also didn't think anything serious was wrong. I had a colonoscopy October 2 and Oct 4 I was told I had rectal adenocarcinoma.
I don't share this to scare you but to indicate how smart it is that you are moving ahead with testing. I hope you will have a different result but it's worth getting checked!
I don't share this to scare you but to indicate how smart it is that you are moving ahead with testing. I hope you will have a different result but it's worth getting checked!
ER visit 9/25/18 with dizziness and rectal bleeding
Colonoscopy 10/2/18
Diagnosed with rectal adenocarcinoma, 10/4/2018
Moderately to poorly differentiated, 8.1 cm from verge, T3 on imaging
Low anterior resection/total proctectomy w/ temp ileostomy 11/27/2018
Downstaged to T1, no lymph node involvement, no adjuvant therapy recommended
Reversal 1/29/2019
CT scan 4/2019 clear, CEA 1.0
Colonoscopy 10/2/18
Diagnosed with rectal adenocarcinoma, 10/4/2018
Moderately to poorly differentiated, 8.1 cm from verge, T3 on imaging
Low anterior resection/total proctectomy w/ temp ileostomy 11/27/2018
Downstaged to T1, no lymph node involvement, no adjuvant therapy recommended
Reversal 1/29/2019
CT scan 4/2019 clear, CEA 1.0
-
DarknessEmbraced
- Posts: 3817
- Joined: Sat Nov 01, 2014 4:54 pm
- Facebook Username: Riann Fletcher
- Location: New Brunswick, Canada
Re: First Time Here - Anxiety is High
I'm sorry you're going through this!*hugs* I hope your colonoscopy goes well and that you get good news!*hugs*
Diagnosed 10/28/14, age 36
Colon Resection 11/20/14, LAR (no illeo)
Stage 2a colon cancer, T3NOMO
Lymph-vascular invasion undetermined
0/22 lymph nodes
No chemo, no radiation
Clear Colonoscopy 04/29/15
NED 10/20/15
Ischemic Colitis 01/21/16
NED 11/10/16
CT Scan moved up due to high CEA 08/21/17
NED 09/25/17
NED 12/21/18
Clear colonoscopy 09/23/19
Clear 5 year scans 11/21/19- Considered cured!
Colon Resection 11/20/14, LAR (no illeo)
Stage 2a colon cancer, T3NOMO
Lymph-vascular invasion undetermined
0/22 lymph nodes
No chemo, no radiation
Clear Colonoscopy 04/29/15
NED 10/20/15
Ischemic Colitis 01/21/16
NED 11/10/16
CT Scan moved up due to high CEA 08/21/17
NED 09/25/17
NED 12/21/18
Clear colonoscopy 09/23/19
Clear 5 year scans 11/21/19- Considered cured!
-
dianetavegia
- Posts: 2731
- Joined: Sat May 16, 2009 8:47 pm
- Facebook Username: Diane Weldy Tavegia
- Location: Villa Rica, Georgia
Re: First Time Here - Anxiety is High
It certainly is a good idea to go ahead and be checked, but I wanted to assure you that most shapes, sizes, flat, round, colors other than white as snow or black as fresh road tar are all fine. Even the best doctor may still believe 'pencil stool' means cancer. Nope. Now NO pooh and not able to pass gas means blockage, but the rest of the time, it's something we ate or not enough water/ fiber, etc.
Stage III cc surgery 1/7/09. 12 tx FOLFOX
Stage IV PET = 1.5cm liver met. HR 4/11/12
14 years since dx and 11 years post liver resection.
Pronounced CURED and discharged by onc
“O Lord my God, I cried out to You, And You healed me.” Psalms 30:2
Stage IV PET = 1.5cm liver met. HR 4/11/12
14 years since dx and 11 years post liver resection.
Pronounced CURED and discharged by onc
“O Lord my God, I cried out to You, And You healed me.” Psalms 30:2
Re: First Time Here - Anxiety is High
Thank you for your words of support....I need to heed my own advice and stay away from WebMd but I can't help it. It could be anything from stress, to IBS, to ulcerative colitis, My anxiety is higher now...I sent a message to my primary doctor explaining what I have been feeling.
Of course I have become more or less a hypochondriac and any change in my physical condition such as aches, pains, my tummy growling, I am suspicious. With the anxiety, I'm becoming more and more afraid to eat and to go to the bathroom for fear of what I might find.
I am going to call the GI dr.'s office to see if I can reschedule and get in earlier than January 3rd.....
Of course I have become more or less a hypochondriac and any change in my physical condition such as aches, pains, my tummy growling, I am suspicious. With the anxiety, I'm becoming more and more afraid to eat and to go to the bathroom for fear of what I might find.
I am going to call the GI dr.'s office to see if I can reschedule and get in earlier than January 3rd.....
Re: First Time Here - Anxiety is High
Update - I write this from the parking lot after being seen in the Emergency Department at the hospital. I drove in after I ate food and 15-20 minutes later I felt intense pain in my tummy. Not knowing if this is/was related to the upcoming colonoscopy.
Bloodwork = All Fine
Urinalysis = Showed small trace of blood. CT scan ordered
CT scan = showed nothing out of ordinary.
Diagnosis- GERD, acid reflux, or tummy ulcer.
Discharged with instructions to follow up with primary physician within 7 days. Also told to keep the colonoscopy (was going to anyway).
Prescribed a acid blocker and instructed to use Tums as needed.
So I’m happy at this time and I hope to continue to receive good news.
Bloodwork = All Fine
Urinalysis = Showed small trace of blood. CT scan ordered
CT scan = showed nothing out of ordinary.
Diagnosis- GERD, acid reflux, or tummy ulcer.
Discharged with instructions to follow up with primary physician within 7 days. Also told to keep the colonoscopy (was going to anyway).
Prescribed a acid blocker and instructed to use Tums as needed.
So I’m happy at this time and I hope to continue to receive good news.
Re: First Time Here - Anxiety is High
Sorry you had to go to the ER.
Good news is your CT is clear.
Keep the colonoscopy appt anyway as it will be the gold standard of officially ruling anything out.
Before my colonoscopy, my severe anxiety disorder caused me to give myself every symptom ever—loose stools, side cramps, shortness of breath, weight loss. Anxiety can do bad things to us physically.
Good news is your CT is clear.
Keep the colonoscopy appt anyway as it will be the gold standard of officially ruling anything out.
Before my colonoscopy, my severe anxiety disorder caused me to give myself every symptom ever—loose stools, side cramps, shortness of breath, weight loss. Anxiety can do bad things to us physically.
Caregiver to my amazing mom (68 at dx)
10/1/18 DX with rectal cancer; CEA 17
T3N2M0
Total neoadjuvant therapy:
8 rounds Folfox 11/5/18 - 2/11/19
Short course radiation 3/14/19 - 3/20/19
Robotically assisted laparoscopic LAR 3/21/19
Pathology report says yT2N0M0 with 0/38 nodes
6/28/19 Reversal and port out
CEA 2.1; 1.9; 2.6; 2.8; 2.3; 2.4; 3.0; 3.4; 3.1; 3.4; 3.0; 3.1; 2.6
Latest update: 8/21/23 Clear CT with CEA 2.6!
Me: 34, first colonoscopy 11/16/18—normal! Come back in 5 years.
10/1/18 DX with rectal cancer; CEA 17
T3N2M0
Total neoadjuvant therapy:
8 rounds Folfox 11/5/18 - 2/11/19
Short course radiation 3/14/19 - 3/20/19
Robotically assisted laparoscopic LAR 3/21/19
Pathology report says yT2N0M0 with 0/38 nodes
6/28/19 Reversal and port out
CEA 2.1; 1.9; 2.6; 2.8; 2.3; 2.4; 3.0; 3.4; 3.1; 3.4; 3.0; 3.1; 2.6
Latest update: 8/21/23 Clear CT with CEA 2.6!
Me: 34, first colonoscopy 11/16/18—normal! Come back in 5 years.
Re: First Time Here - Anxiety is High
So i followed up with my doctor yesterday (Friday) and so far he is not very concerned right now.
He did say that this is precautionary and he pointed out that I have been very stressed as of late because of some work related items (change in shifts...working in the afternoon vs days, and some internal department issues too) all of which might be causing some of these changes.
Ive dropped about 6 pounds since Monday, but I recognized that the food I am eating has less calories than I was eating before (grilled chicken with a light glaze and brown rice and other similar items vs pizza and burgers).
Also I called the place where my colonoscopy is going to take place and I found out that they some other patients cancel their appointments so I was able to move mine up and I am having mine this upcoming Thursday.
Hoping for good news.
He did say that this is precautionary and he pointed out that I have been very stressed as of late because of some work related items (change in shifts...working in the afternoon vs days, and some internal department issues too) all of which might be causing some of these changes.
Ive dropped about 6 pounds since Monday, but I recognized that the food I am eating has less calories than I was eating before (grilled chicken with a light glaze and brown rice and other similar items vs pizza and burgers).
Also I called the place where my colonoscopy is going to take place and I found out that they some other patients cancel their appointments so I was able to move mine up and I am having mine this upcoming Thursday.
Hoping for good news.
-
DarknessEmbraced
- Posts: 3817
- Joined: Sat Nov 01, 2014 4:54 pm
- Facebook Username: Riann Fletcher
- Location: New Brunswick, Canada
Re: First Time Here - Anxiety is High
I hope your colonoscopy goes well and that you get good news!*hugs* I'm glad it was moved up!
Diagnosed 10/28/14, age 36
Colon Resection 11/20/14, LAR (no illeo)
Stage 2a colon cancer, T3NOMO
Lymph-vascular invasion undetermined
0/22 lymph nodes
No chemo, no radiation
Clear Colonoscopy 04/29/15
NED 10/20/15
Ischemic Colitis 01/21/16
NED 11/10/16
CT Scan moved up due to high CEA 08/21/17
NED 09/25/17
NED 12/21/18
Clear colonoscopy 09/23/19
Clear 5 year scans 11/21/19- Considered cured!
Colon Resection 11/20/14, LAR (no illeo)
Stage 2a colon cancer, T3NOMO
Lymph-vascular invasion undetermined
0/22 lymph nodes
No chemo, no radiation
Clear Colonoscopy 04/29/15
NED 10/20/15
Ischemic Colitis 01/21/16
NED 11/10/16
CT Scan moved up due to high CEA 08/21/17
NED 09/25/17
NED 12/21/18
Clear colonoscopy 09/23/19
Clear 5 year scans 11/21/19- Considered cured!
Re: First Time Here - Anxiety is High
I'm with you bud. Similar symptoms as myself. I'm going for my scope Wednesday. Praying for both of us
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