There should be a

frogz21
frogz21 Posts: 314 Member
in Chit-Chat
Health & Wellness thread on here.

Anyway, have any of you had colon cancer or polyps or know anyone who has? Can you tell me a little bit about your or their experience?

Replies

  • Laura_Suzie
    Laura_Suzie Posts: 1,288 Member
    My great grandma passed away from colon cancer. She was 99 though, so she lived a very full life. It's really an awful cancer, probably one of the most painful. I don't remember much about my great grandma being sick because I was young, but from what my mom tells me it was really awful for her. And colon cancer is hereditary too... and my mom was diagnosed with colitis a couple years ago. :ohwell: My mom has gotten a lot healthier since then after she was introduced to raw food. She says changing her way of eating drastically improved it and she rarely has any abdominal pain anymore.

    Also, the mom of the kids I babysat for in H.S. was diagnosed with colon cancer. It was so bad, they were actually don't to remove her colon (I think it was her colon) and replace it with a bag... luckily her husband is a doctor. They got a second opinion from a really great doctor and he cured her without her having to have anything removed. Today she is cancer free! :)
  • frogz21
    frogz21 Posts: 314 Member
    My great grandma passed away from colon cancer. She was 99 though, so she lived a very full life. It's really an awful cancer, probably one of the most painful. I don't remember much about my great grandma being sick because I was young, but from what my mom tells me it was really awful for her. And colon cancer is hereditary too... and my mom was diagnosed with colitis a couple years ago. :ohwell: My mom has gotten a lot healthier since then after she was introduced to raw food. She says changing her way of eating drastically improved it and she rarely has any abdominal pain anymore.

    Also, the mom of the kids I babysat for in H.S. was diagnosed with colon cancer. It was so bad, they were actually don't to remove her colon (I think it was her colon) and replace it with a bag... luckily her husband is a doctor. They got a second opinion from a really great doctor and he cured her without her having to have anything removed. Today she is cancer free! :)

    My Grandma's side of the family had colon cancer. She never got it , but she had a lot of polyps and had her colon taken out. Several of my uncles and aunts have had their colon taken out & as teenagers they had a lot of polyps. My cousin who is 7 has over 50 polyps, my 22 year old brother has over 100, and my Mom has polyps too. I know I have them it's just a matter of time when I get the colonoscopy done. I went to the ER in June and the doctors said I had an infection in my blood and I needed to get a colonoscopy done asap, but my insurance ended a few days later. Since then I have gotten more sick and I am hoping I am okay and my situation isn't as bad as I think it is.
  • SeaRunner26
    SeaRunner26 Posts: 5,143 Member
    I hope you're right and it isn't what you think. But as I understand it (and I'm NOT a doctor) that if you don't catch colon cancer very early, the odds of surviving aren't good, which is what happened to one of my grandmothers. Since you have a family hisotroy of colon cancer and polyps and the ER recommended a colonoscopy because of the infection they found, if I were in your place I'd find any way possible to get that done. Do you have a regional hospital that will work with people without insurance?

    I truly hope that everything turns out well for you and this is just a scare and not something serious.
  • frogz21
    frogz21 Posts: 314 Member
    I hope you're right and it isn't what you think. But as I understand it (and I'm NOT a doctor) that if you don't catch colon cancer very early, the odds of surviving aren't good, which is what happened to one of my grandmothers. Since you have a family hisotroy of colon cancer and polyps and the ER recommended a colonoscopy because of the infection they found, if I were in your place I'd find any way possible to get that done. Do you have a regional hospital that will work with people without insurance?

    I truly hope that everything turns out well for you and this is just a scare and not something serious.

    I am not sure of any hospitals that are willing to help. I am applying for financial assistance and medicaid, but that takes time. My family thinks I am fine because I am only 21, but I don't agree with that. If I have to get a colonoscopy and pay the full amount then so be it. I just want to know what's wrong with me.
  • SeaRunner26
    SeaRunner26 Posts: 5,143 Member
    I think you're being very smart about this. Do whatever you can to make sure you're healthy. And if the test comes back clean and everything is okay (like we want it to be), that woulnd't be a waste of money. You'd know for sure that you're okay. Peace of mind is priceless.

    Regarding hospitals, check around. I know in my area (Seattle), there is a regional hospital that handles people with no money. I don't know exactly how they work out the financial arangements, but I know they take care of it somehow. I'd say spending some time investigating what options you have would be well worth it.
  • heidimaggott78
    heidimaggott78 Posts: 203
    My father was misdiagnosed over and over for a year before he was diagnosed with colon cancer. He died less than a year after his diagnosis at the age of 49. If you think that something may be wrong, then I would advise that you go get it checked out immediately.
  • frogz21
    frogz21 Posts: 314 Member
    I think you're being very smart about this. Do whatever you can to make sure you're healthy. And if the test comes back clean and everything is okay (like we want it to be), that woulnd't be a waste of money. You'd know for sure that you're okay. Peace of mind is priceless.

    Regarding hospitals, check around. I know in my area (Seattle), there is a regional hospital that handles people with no money. I don't know exactly how they work out the financial arangements, but I know they take care of it somehow. I'd say spending some time investigating what options you have would be well worth it.

    Okay, thanks.
  • frogz21
    frogz21 Posts: 314 Member
    My father was misdiagnosed over and over for a year before he was diagnosed with colon cancer. He died less than a year after his diagnosis at the age of 49. If you think that something may be wrong, then I would advise that you go get it checked out immediately.

    I am going to call a few places on Monday and schedule an appointment for a colonoscopy.
  • NeedANewFocus
    NeedANewFocus Posts: 898 Member
    My grandmothers died from it. My mom was diagnosed a week ago with polyps.
  • SeaRunner26
    SeaRunner26 Posts: 5,143 Member
    I am going to call a few places on Monday and schedule an appointment for a colonoscopy.

    Glad to hear. Best of luck to you.
  • JesterMFP
    JesterMFP Posts: 3,596 Member
    My friend had colon cancer several years ago and was successfully treated, but they caught it very early. Good luck. :flowerforyou:
  • LesliePierceRN
    LesliePierceRN Posts: 860 Member
    My mom went in for her first colonoscopy at 52 or so, only because she'd went to a specialist for a liver workup and he told her that he liked all of his patients to have all of their routine screenings.. that he'd treat her once she had them. He saved her life. They found a 2cm lesion, and a week or so later they did surger, removing 4 inches of intestine. That was all the treatment necessary, and she's been fine (and getting yearly screens) for like 8 years now. Lucky me, because she had colon cancer young, I get my routine colonocopies starting this year, the year I turned 40.
  • RealWomenLovePitbulls
    RealWomenLovePitbulls Posts: 729 Member
    it doesnt matter that u are young, you can get it any time. also, not all polyps are cancer, but it is good to be checked out just to be safe
  • Michelle650
    Michelle650 Posts: 218
    My friends father was diagnosed with colon cancer nearly 3 years ago. He was diagnosed in the January and had chemotherapy and some of his intestine removed. He was given the all clear that summer. The family were making plans for to go on a once in a lifetime holiday to Australia the next summer, when in September of the same year, he went to his GP with abdominal discomfort and was told the cancer had returned in a more aggressive form. Unfortunately, it had spread to other organs in his body and he passed away the day after christmas that same year! It was such a sad time!
  • SLLeask
    SLLeask Posts: 489 Member
    My stepdad had colon cancer a few years ago now and is now all clear and well and my mums best friend currently has it and has just come out of hospital after treatment, she still has more chemo etc but prognosis is also good for her. Hope all goes well for you too.:flowerforyou:
  • VanessaHeartsMasr
    VanessaHeartsMasr Posts: 727
    I definitely agree. Don't wait to get insurance before getting this checked out. Also, if you do qualify for Medicaid, they usually retroactively pay your doctor bills 90 days back (or at least they do in my state), so you might not even have to pay for it. Good luck. Take care of yourself.
  • frogz21
    frogz21 Posts: 314 Member
    it doesnt matter that u are young, you can get it any time. also, not all polyps are cancer, but it is good to be checked out just to be safe

    Yes, I know. Thanks.
  • hacker1234
    hacker1234 Posts: 225 Member
    Lots of colon cancer in family history so it's something we keep a close watch on with....many colonoscopies and many more to come. If you have polyps, they likely have you return for your next one in the next 2 yrs or so; if you have none, probabably 5 yrs in between procedures. I've had them and so has my wife. Get a colonscopy sooner rather than later once you hit about 40 unless you have symptoms that require one sooner
  • frogz21
    frogz21 Posts: 314 Member
    Thanks everyone for the input.
  • frogz21
    frogz21 Posts: 314 Member
    Lots of colon cancer in family history so it's something we keep a close watch on with....many colonoscopies and many more to come. If you have polyps, they likely have you return for your next one in the next 2 yrs or so; if you have none, probabably 5 yrs in between procedures. I've had them and so has my wife. Get a colonscopy sooner rather than later once you hit about 40 unless you have symptoms that require one sooner

    I am sure I have them. It's just a matter of getting that colonoscopy done asap. I am hoping I don't have many, but I'll just have to see.

Categories