Hello colon aware people.
I am hoping to get some advice here. About 10 years ago I was in the steady habit of doing a digital self exam. I found something and convinced an ER friend of mine to get me a referral to a colon doc. The professional check was negative. I am a slight hypochondriac, not bad, so I was still worried and demanded the doc check again. He did and still nothing. I didnt really notice at the time that he was mostly checking forward of my rectum, towards the prostate. Still I knew I had found something but I rationalized that he was the expert and maybe I like rubbed my vertebrae through the rectum wall or something. At that time the rough or hard or lumpy ... irregular lets say ... spot was about the size of a grain of rice, sort of along a tissue ridge.
I had just lost my last job then and its been not much ever since. Also I was the primary caregiver then and now for my octogenarian parents. I have no real money and no insurance, then and now.
Flash forward to a few days ago and on a whim I did a digital exam. I fell out of practice having no regular schedule as no employment. And I found the same place, exactly the same place. Only now it is much bigger, several lumps and ridges and in an irregular pattern.
So, the advice I am looking for is many types:
1) How do I handle this the best way given my lack of finances?
2) How do I prevent the worst insurance issues or lack of service issues going forward?
3) Of course, what the heck is my best set of next steps?
4) Are there any alternative treatments with a high rate of success known?