Thanks For Listening And Looking For Advice - Cancer: Colon Message Board

NavyGoat1998 · 03-26-2005, 10:14 AM

Hello all here is my story and I am sure there will be more to follow and thanks for listening:

It started around the 25th of February 2005, almost a week after the passing of my wife of 22 years from Hepatic Failure after fight breast cancer for the last 6 years. I had a hard stool that just did not feel right, so I wiped and normally I never really looked at my wipes but for some reason I looked and it was covered with bright red blood…….scared me to say the least. When I went back to work that next week I went to my Doc and he did the digital exam and told me that it was probably a anal fissure but to be on the safe side he told me give 3 stool samples which came back with out any invisible blood and I also had a CBC as well and counts came back normal.

I tell you for some reason that was not enough for me and I told him that I would like to maybe get a colonoscopy done he is really good guy so he put me in for a consult with a GI Doc, but since then my body is starting show me different symptoms and signs like I am having dull vague stomach pains, (except when I wake in the morning they are more painful and feel better after morning coffee), I feel sometimes light headed and like I am floating and once and awhile I feel nauseas (have not thrown up) and the last 2 mornings after drinking coffee my bowel movements have been skinny and narrow. On the plus side I am still able to run and exercise and I have no fatigue and I am eating semi normal. Right now I have myself diagnosed with colon cancer and or stomach cancer……. My appointment is this Wednesday 30 March, please tell me what to ask or say to the GI Doc to ensure that I get the scope

I am 42 years old and have an 18 year daughter who lives with me and is 4 months pregnant and I want to be around to help her and my Grandchild.

NaVyGoAt1998

West Coast Girl · 03-26-2005, 10:55 AM

Please don't worry about the unknown. Stress can and does affect the digestive system a lot. You have had tremendous stress in your life recently and your body could be reacting to it more than you realize. To me, your symptoms sound a lot like irritable bowel syndrome but it is a good idea to get everything checked out. My gastroenterologist feels people should get their first colonoscopy starting at 40 so don't feel uncomfortable pushing for one. It's your body and you need to know what's going on. Good luck on Wednesday and keep us posted.

Nassau one · 03-26-2005, 02:26 PM

I agree....you have had such a stressful time recently and your symptoms could be due to many other things other than cancer. But you are doing the right thing in getting properly tested, if only to put your mind at rest. Just be up front with the doctor and tell him your fears. Do not let him brush you off. A colonoscopy now will eliminate any possiblity for colon cancer for a few years if they find nothing...so it is an investment!

Hopefully, soon you will be able to put your fears behind you and look forward to the birth of your grandchild. Do keep us posted.

ktee_uk · 03-26-2005, 03:24 PM

Ahoy there navygoat

I echo alisons and WCGs sentiments but i suppose that it is easy to say dont worry and another thing to actually not worry

.

I think you need to try and keep it simple with the GI doc. Simply tell him/her that you believe you have symptoms of colon cancer (bleeding, thin stools, pains) and you would like the colonoscopy to rule it out. If they offer you a less significant test just repeat yourself.

good luck
ktee

NavyGoat1998 · 03-27-2005, 08:34 AM

Thanks all for the valuable feedback and I am trying to deal with everything the way we did with Trini and that is we don’t worry until its time to worry. Of course as I say that last night was a difficult one, went and paid my respects to my wife and talked to her and just wished she was here with me and after. I ate lunch about 1:30 or so and by 8:30 I was having serious stomach cramps and violent diarrhea that relived the cramps, after that I was sitting on the couch watching TV drinking a glass of Mountain Dew and every time I would drink some it would send me running to the restroom with more watery stools. That’s it I am swearing off Mountain Dew.

I have also noticed that I hear like rumblings around my back side area.....any ideas

Mike - NaVyGoAt