Please help - Scared 22 year old :(

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MitchellVII
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Re: Please help - Scared 22 year old :(

Postby MitchellVII » Mon Mar 30, 2009 9:19 am

Magnolia,

I don't disagree that we should care for the weak amongst us. This is in the charter of any great society. However, as is the case with any Shakespearean Tragedy, that which has made us great has also become our fatal flaw. There is no perfect solution, but I agree with you that that doesn't mean we should not seek any solution at all. We don't need to go all the way to socialism and we don't need to leave the sick to die in the streets. The answer lies in the middle and unfortunately, will always leave someone unhappy with the outcome. We can never "solve" this problem in th same way we can never guarantee everyone happiness, but as you said, we can do better.
Stage IIA CRC Dx 03/08
Full right colectomy with 32 Lymph Nodes removed
Tumor 6 cm long by 2 cm thick in right ascending colon, 1/2 villous adenoma
MSI-High (MLH-1 indicated)
Factor V Leiden (Blood Clotting)
NED (as far as I know)

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MitchellVII
Posts: 643
Joined: Fri Apr 18, 2008 10:56 pm

Re: Please help - Scared 22 year old :(

Postby MitchellVII » Mon Mar 30, 2009 9:24 am

Then again, we could easily solve homelessness in one fell swoop. Simply have every Democrat in America invite a homeless person to come and live with them. Lol, but somehow I don't think that would go over too well.

(**Satire intended**)
Stage IIA CRC Dx 03/08
Full right colectomy with 32 Lymph Nodes removed
Tumor 6 cm long by 2 cm thick in right ascending colon, 1/2 villous adenoma
MSI-High (MLH-1 indicated)
Factor V Leiden (Blood Clotting)
NED (as far as I know)

Magnolia
Posts: 1514
Joined: Fri Jul 14, 2006 2:38 pm
Location: Virginia

Re: Please help - Scared 22 year old :(

Postby Magnolia » Mon Mar 30, 2009 9:37 am

The solution always lies in the middle. It's always about balance, isn't it?
Dx Stage IIIC CC 3/10/06
Surgery 3/20/06
Folfox 4/06 - 10/06
Avastin 4/06 - 4/07
NED!


http://www.CoverYourButt.org
Healthcare is a right, not a privilege.

Magnolia
Posts: 1514
Joined: Fri Jul 14, 2006 2:38 pm
Location: Virginia

Re: Please help - Scared 22 year old :(

Postby Magnolia » Mon Mar 30, 2009 9:50 am

Hey, I'm a Democrat, and I've lived among the homeless. I had an apartment, but it was across from the projects, and there was a squat in the building. Some of my patients used to see me in the neighborhood. One stopped me outside the Safeway and asked me to read her TB test. I have to confess I moved away after the second time I tripped over a dead body in my hallway, and the third drive-by in front of the building. That was before the baby. But I did work in the clinic, and a lot of people woudn't want to come that close to a problem they don't want to get personal with. Those are real people. Human souls. Honestly. I've canvassed a lot of Republicans who don't want to hear about it. At all. But you're right, a lot of Dems are happy to donate, but don't want to get close.
Dx Stage IIIC CC 3/10/06
Surgery 3/20/06
Folfox 4/06 - 10/06
Avastin 4/06 - 4/07
NED!


http://www.CoverYourButt.org
Healthcare is a right, not a privilege.

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MitchellVII
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Re: Please help - Scared 22 year old :(

Postby MitchellVII » Mon Mar 30, 2009 9:59 am

Magnolia,

The oxymoron in all this is that Republicans traditionally give far more to charity than Democrats. Both Biden and Obama infamously gave almost nothing to charity despite making millions.

Anyway, we are getting way OT here so I will drop the political line and save it for a more suitable forum :)
Stage IIA CRC Dx 03/08
Full right colectomy with 32 Lymph Nodes removed
Tumor 6 cm long by 2 cm thick in right ascending colon, 1/2 villous adenoma
MSI-High (MLH-1 indicated)
Factor V Leiden (Blood Clotting)
NED (as far as I know)

ihavecancer
Posts: 217
Joined: Mon Dec 15, 2008 8:01 pm

Re: Please help - Scared 22 year old :(

Postby ihavecancer » Mon Mar 30, 2009 10:21 am

Now I see why a thread about bleeding has ballooned into three pages in just day

anyway, get the colonosopcy. Insist on it. You may have to fabricate your story. Mention dark blood instead of bright blood so that the doctor will think the bleeding is further up and be more inclined to referryou for a colonoscopy versus a flexible sigmoidoscopy or none. Mention that blood is mixed in the bowel movements.

odds are due to the very lopng duration of bleeding, the bleeding isn't caused by cancer, but you still need the tests.
Diagnosed Jan 08 after lots of rectal bleeding
Stage 3
Chemo for six months
Having cancer is just part of the battle...

Reala
Posts: 23
Joined: Sun Mar 29, 2009 2:43 pm

Re: Please help - Scared 22 year old :(

Postby Reala » Mon Mar 30, 2009 10:54 am

Right guys... I got doctor in about 30 minutes (I literally live 10 doors away!!! - I may mention this so they knowI'll keep coming and bugging them).

I'm going to lie and say the blood is a dark red, almost black (lie)... My stomach is cramping a lot (true) and I feel light headed all the time (true) and that I have even thought I was going to faint a few times (lie). I'm going to mention the tragic story cindy mentioned about her son and tell him/her that I am scared (true) and that I really want something done about this (VERY true).

Now surely any doctor will have me checked? Well... we'll see in about 30 minutes I guess... about to leave now.

Reala
Posts: 23
Joined: Sun Mar 29, 2009 2:43 pm

Re: Please help - Scared 22 year old :(

Postby Reala » Mon Mar 30, 2009 12:11 pm

Well just been to doctors...

I told him:
Shortness of breath...
Still feeling dizzy
DARK BLOOD mixed with stool (lie)
REALLY BAD pain in right side (although I had a slight pain in right side)

He asked if the previous doctor had actually checked for Hemroids... I told him no so he did a check. Although I had noticed that since using the cream they seem to have gone anyway and I did tell him this. He pretty much told me that I didn't have Hemroids... anymore at least... although I havn't seen blood in 3 months so this doesn't mean a great deal anyways.
(Although remember I had told him I'd seen dark blood).

He examined me, my eyes, my neck (felt side of my neck, kind of under ears) said 'You don't look Anemic' and he said my pulse rate was 48BPM, which he was suprised at, but I phoned my gym and they checked and it was that over a year ago also. I am a semi-professional athlete and therefore I am quite fit... He said Anaemia would usually speed it up if anything. He did a real good check of my stomach (pushing really hard in certain places, using his stephascope all over - took a good 5-10 minutes).

He asked about my water consumption and I told him about it... He said he doesn't think I drink enough water. He didn't explain why although I had recently had a test which found my TBW (Total Body Water) to be 49% where it should be 70% or something... which he said was probably causing the drop in energy and postural hypo tension. He gave me a leaflet with symptoms of not drinking enough water:
Headache, dry mouth, fatigue, dark urine, dizziness, constipation, stomach cramps, dry skin
Also said if this is a long term thing that not drinking enough water is a possible cause of hemroids...

Still leaves the dark blood I don't have... Maybe he saw through it... I don't know. I would have thought with pain and acid reflux (I suffer from this) though he would have susspected ulcers... nope...

He said he is going to run blood tests on my kidneys, liver, glocuse and a few others and that for now that would be enough. He said that a colonoscopy is far too much of a jump for a 22 year old without doing any other tests first... said my symptoms of rectal bleeding for 5 years on and off would almost rule out cancer anyway and the fact it came pretty much everytime I went to the toilet for a month and went away for a few months before returning would suggest a problem with hemroids.

He asked if I was worried about anything because he said a lot of my symptoms (esspecially the new ones like being overly tired and lack of focus or occasional shortness of breath) are linked with anxiety and stress... As are the sudden worsening of digestion (like stomach aches, etc). I said no because I didn't want him to think I was worrying about this or he may not take me seriously... but in all honesty I have been worried and sometimes when I read something that sounds like my symptoms I have literally felt sick, so maybe I have made it out worse than it is =/ I mean my dad said I look pale yesterday and I nearly threw up with worry as I knew that was a sign of Anaemia...

I don't know about anxiety, but as he said... If I have lived with it for 5 years, 2 weeks should not make too much difference in the long run for when they check my bloods. If they come back with something wrong we can treat that... if they come back everything is right then obviously it is something they need to investigate further...

I do feel a lot better now though... cause I know if the blood tests come back clear they will look further and ifthey come back with something they will be sorted also :)

dfar
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Joined: Mon Feb 02, 2009 3:18 pm

Re: Please help - Scared 22 year old :(

Postby dfar » Mon Mar 30, 2009 1:20 pm

i agree with everyone else who said get checked out! dont rest until YOU feel you got the answers you are looking for. My best friend is 37. Too young for the "typical" colon cancer scare. He has no family history of cancer, was very active and ate unbelievably healthy! And he is now battling stage 4 cancer. when he first went to the doctors they treated him for constipation. for a month and half he didnt get the treatment he needed becuase he was considered too young to have cancer, especially with no family history.

so please please please get checked out. and push the issue! there are so many young people effected by this cancer because they are considered too young. cancer doenst care how old you are! and colon cancer is among the most treatable when caught early.

my thoughts are with you! and i hope things turn out for the best!

NS3
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Joined: Sun Mar 15, 2009 9:10 pm

Re: Please help - Scared 22 year old :(

Postby NS3 » Mon Mar 30, 2009 1:57 pm

You're not alone with this problem. My doctor took it semi-serious at first, ordered a CT scan, stool tests, blood work, etc... But he refused to order a colonoscopy. After a clear CT scan and running a test that showed I have Thalassemia (blood disorder common amongst Italians that causes very mild anemia), he was pretty much done with me. He said it was IBS and Hemorrhoids. The GI (nurse practitioner-never actually saw the doctor) said IBS too. Nobody took cancer seriously because I'm 23.

I had to fight and fight and fight to get a colonoscopy ordered. And it's still another 4 and 1/2 weeks away. The wait is killing me. If there's something in me, it's still there and still growing.

Don't delay. Go to another doctor and get a second opinion. Keep going to different doctors until you find one that will take you seriously. I wasted too much time trying to get my Doctor and GI nurse practitioner to test me. I should have done that back in January, when I first started seeing them.

Magnolia
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Location: Virginia

Re: Please help - Scared 22 year old :(

Postby Magnolia » Mon Mar 30, 2009 2:47 pm

Actually, what this doc said may well be true. Dehydration can cause a lot of what you're seeing. But then maybe not. Colonoscopies are not simple tests. You don't do them like you run a CBC. They're expensive, invasive, and a little bit risky. But with bleeding that doesn't resolve when the hemmies go away, you start thinking hard about it. Keep in mind too, that hemorrhoids and IBS are very common in young people. Colon cancer is not. It wouldn't make sense to subject every young person who comes in with symptoms of two very common problems to a test that is not without risks of its own because of a cancer they probably don't have. It does make sense to filter a bit and scope the ones that look like things may be a bit more amiss. Hence the other tests first. The young people we meet here who did have cancer are exceptions. They're proof that doctors should always keep an open mind, but being TOO quick to scope can do harm. My point is, try to relax a bit. Lots of things besides cancer can cause these problems. Don't let them ignore you, but if you don't get scoped tomorrow, it's OK. It's just possible you may not need it. As long as they continue to keep it available if things worsen or if answers are not forthcoming via bloodwork or other avenues, you can breathe a little easier.
Dx Stage IIIC CC 3/10/06
Surgery 3/20/06
Folfox 4/06 - 10/06
Avastin 4/06 - 4/07
NED!


http://www.CoverYourButt.org
Healthcare is a right, not a privilege.

User avatar
MitchellVII
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Re: Please help - Scared 22 year old :(

Postby MitchellVII » Mon Mar 30, 2009 2:52 pm

What no blood test for hemoglobin levels? Geesh. How does someone "look" anemic? I looked like a million bucks when my hemoglobin was half what it should be.
Stage IIA CRC Dx 03/08
Full right colectomy with 32 Lymph Nodes removed
Tumor 6 cm long by 2 cm thick in right ascending colon, 1/2 villous adenoma
MSI-High (MLH-1 indicated)
Factor V Leiden (Blood Clotting)
NED (as far as I know)

Magnolia
Posts: 1514
Joined: Fri Jul 14, 2006 2:38 pm
Location: Virginia

Re: Please help - Scared 22 year old :(

Postby Magnolia » Mon Mar 30, 2009 2:57 pm

You CAN look anemic, but you can't bet the ranch on NOT looking anemic. You gotta check. THAT at least you can do simply, safely, and cheaply. No excuses for that one! Anemia is a cardinal symptom of colorectal cancer.
Dx Stage IIIC CC 3/10/06
Surgery 3/20/06
Folfox 4/06 - 10/06
Avastin 4/06 - 4/07
NED!


http://www.CoverYourButt.org
Healthcare is a right, not a privilege.

Magnolia
Posts: 1514
Joined: Fri Jul 14, 2006 2:38 pm
Location: Virginia

Re: Please help - Scared 22 year old :(

Postby Magnolia » Mon Mar 30, 2009 3:03 pm

On more thought. Dehydration can mask anemia. Can make your hemoglobin look normal when it's not. Iron levels relative to water are higher because water is low, not because iron is high. Medicine is as much an art as a science. Palor is less when the blood is not diluted. One big problem with "evidence based" medicine is that it takes the craft out of it. Flashes like I just had may not be in the algorythm. I connected two dots that may not have been on the same chart.
Dx Stage IIIC CC 3/10/06
Surgery 3/20/06
Folfox 4/06 - 10/06
Avastin 4/06 - 4/07
NED!


http://www.CoverYourButt.org
Healthcare is a right, not a privilege.

Reala
Posts: 23
Joined: Sun Mar 29, 2009 2:43 pm

Re: Please help - Scared 22 year old :(

Postby Reala » Mon Mar 30, 2009 3:30 pm

Hi guys :) Just back from Kickboxing... I couldn't stand another day off training!!!

Well I appriciate all the opinions and as someone has said the bleeding has stopped and the hemmoroids seem to have gone, however I'm going to keep an eye on it. The doctor has now told me I DO NOT have hemmoroids, so if I see blood I'm gonna know the blood is internal.

The doctor IS testing me for anaemia, but not until April 14th sadly... I am having every standard blood test done apparently. Dehydration is a good answer after having looked online, but the narrow stools are still one of my concerns... but I'll wait until the 14th-21st when I get my results and then start back on it.

I can't thank you all enough for the advice and support... I'll owe you all so much if something is found that I was close to giving up on :)

Magnolia I will be sure to drink 3-4 litres of water a day until my blood test, thanks for the advice :)


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