Postby weisssoccermom » Thu Feb 18, 2010 9:54 pm
First of all a CT scan will only show a growth in your colon if it is big enough and it won't be able to tell you what that growth is - just that 'something' is there - more than likely, IF anything shows up it would only be a shadow. It also can't show, for example, diverticulitis, Crohn's or any number of other gastro symptoms. I went back and read your other posts and while it does sound like you have some problem, don't automatically assume that you have cancer. That's certainly not to say you shouldn't keep pressing for answers but there are a lot of other conditions that have many of the same symptoms you are describing. It sounds right now as though the upper GI is the right way to go as the CT scan identified 'something' there. You won't be knocked out for that particular test. If it is an upper GI as opposed to an endoscopy, you'll have to drink some barium and then the radiologist will watch how the barium goes through you. Usually, they don't watch it go all the way through, BUT....if they see something suspicious or something they want to watch more closely, you can be there for quite some time while the barium works its way through your digestive tract. Just be prepared. Since the CT scan did show something amiss in the duedomum area, they are going to focus on that first. It may very well be that truly that is the source of your problem but you won't know until you have further testing.
I would start keeping a journal (don't exaggerate or anything - just the facts) about all your symptoms. When do they start - for example, how long after eating. How long do they last??? How do your symptoms affect your bowels. Pay attention to what you are eating - write down the foods and be specific. Some of your gastric symptoms could be occuring if, for example, you had celiac disease. If the upper GI doesn't show any problems, going in with a detailed list of your symptoms, times, duration, etc. can be very helpful to the doctors and can help them make a determination about what tests to do next and what they can rule out and not waste time on. So be thorough, be concise, be meticulous and write down everything. Don't though, automatically jump to the conclusion that you have colorectal cancer.
Just remember that while a colonoscopy is a very good test for the large intestine, it is NOT going to discover what is going on in your duodenum and that IS the place right now where the CT identified that a "pouch" exists.
Jaynee
Dx 6/22/2006 IIA rectal cancer
6 wks rad/Xeloda -finished 9/06
1st attempt transanal excision 11/06
11/17/06 XELOX 1 cycle
5 months Xeloda only Dec '06 - April '07
10+ blood clots, 1 DVT 1/07
transanal excision 4/20/07 path-NO CANCER CELLS!
NED now and forever!
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