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Here's to Your Health:  Preventative Colonoscopy  |
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nampafarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
494 Posts
Kim
Nampa
ID
USA
494 Posts |
 Posted - Oct 03 2008 : 3:00:29 PM
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Wanna hear a true story? its about me. I am 45, soon to be 46 yrs old. My husband has acid reflux issues, so after seekign care with the rpimary care, we went to a gastro. The gastro wanted to do an endoscopy and colonscopy. He is 47 yrs. He did his exams, both cam back ok. During the course of finding out hats wrong with Wendell, my dad wanted to knwo the next procedure, etc... When I told Daddy about the colonoscpy, he told me about his, he is 71, saying that he has polyps removed but they are always benign. When the Dr asked me after Wendells sx while wheeling him to his recovery room, do you know what a colonoscopy and removal of polyps means?, I said yes, that my dad has his colonoscpy and has polyps removed every five yrs. (Daddy is now on the three yr plan). Dr said to me, you should have a screening even though you are not 50 for family history. I scheduled the exam. They found two polyps. Dr said not to worry, he was sure they were not cancer, but possible pre cancerous. He called me two days later. They were cancer. They got it all but guess who is on the 3 yr plan? If you guessed me, you would be right. Istn it funny, being in the right place at the right time, and being asked the right questions, but also important knowing the family history. This nasty little exam may have saved me from wearing a bag for the rest of my life or perhaps may have saved it.
Kim
Farmgirl Sister # 302 |
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City_Chick
True Blue Farmgirl
509 Posts
Christina
Omaha
Nebraska
USA
509 Posts |
Posted - Oct 03 2008 : 3:05:27 PM
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Kim you must be blessed. Women very rarely worry about colon cancer but thankfully you have a good practioner that was actually looking out for your best interest even though you were not the one seeking the care. THat is a rare find these days. Kudos to your doc! You better cherish him.
Christina
Farmgirl Sister #195
http://justacitychick.blogspot.com/
Although no one can go back and make a brand new start; anyone can start from now
and make a brand new end.
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nut4fabric
True Blue Farmgirl
885 Posts
Kathy
Morgan Hill
CA
USA
885 Posts |
Posted - Oct 03 2008 : 3:12:30 PM
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Kim, 3 years ago my best friend passed away from colon cancer, she was just 51. The doctor told her that she had probably had cancer for 2 years prior to the diagnosis, which was already stage 4 at time of diagnosis. She had absolutley NO symptoms until she felt a lump under her rib cage, this was cancer tumors on her liver. They did surgery for the colon cancer (small tumor) and chemo for the liver tumors but to no avail. My doctor reccommends a baseline colonoscopy at age 45, not 50 as most doctors do, if my friend had had this done the cancer would have been caught and possibly treated successfully. You're right it is a nasty little exam but it beats the alternative. Congratulations on getting it done. I'm on the five year plan.
Hugs, Kathy |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Oct 03 2008 : 11:10:56 PM
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YOu know what? I am really glad you posted this. With my health junk the past year or so (breathing problems and then the thyroid stuff) I wasn't excited about my doctor wanting to schedule me for a colonoscopy and planned to just put it off.I am just sick of tests and doctor visits and all. Guess maybe I shouldn't do that.(put it off I mean)
I am so glad you had yours!!!! I will go ahead and schedule.
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
Edited by - Aunt Jenny on Oct 03 2008 11:11:39 PM |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Oct 04 2008 : 03:40:49 AM
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Oh tell me about it!
Both my parents have had polyps removed, and my mom's dad died of colon cancer.
As a result, I have been on the 5 year plan too since I turned 30, and I'm only 38!. Last year Dad and I had ours done at the same place at the same time.
How's that for quality family time??? |
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nampafarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
494 Posts
Kim
Nampa
ID
USA
494 Posts |
Posted - Oct 07 2008 : 12:17:24 PM
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I just spoke with my primary, he told me of another pt (no names)that at age 35, she is loosing or maybe lost, 2/3 of her colon.
I thought I would share my now daily diet: 30 min of exercise every day, mettamucil, folic acid, calcium (caltrate)2 x daily, one baby aspirin, vitamin b, low fat, little red meat, more raw veggies. Thing is though, they say the above may help prevent. Sounds to me that they really dont know for sure,
Kim
Farmgirl Sister # 302 |
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Suzan
True Blue Farmgirl
659 Posts
suzanne
duncannon
pa
USA
659 Posts |
Posted - Oct 08 2008 : 06:44:40 AM
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| Ok, I've been ignoring it even tho the dr tells me every year I need to have it, after reading this I'm convinced, I"ll get it scheduled. |
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nut4fabric
True Blue Farmgirl
885 Posts
Kathy
Morgan Hill
CA
USA
885 Posts |
Posted - Oct 08 2008 : 5:31:00 PM
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Suzanne...Please have this test done, it's not pleasant but neither is dieing of cancer like my friend.
Hugs, Kathy |
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jo Thompson
True Blue Farmgirl
603 Posts
Jo
the mountainside of the Chugach
in Alaska
USA
603 Posts |
Posted - Oct 09 2008 : 3:21:18 PM
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I did it, was glad I did. I had just watched a 35 year old woman die of colon cancer in our hospital. I had one polyp and my mind has one less thing to worry about.
"life is drab without a lab"
http://web.mac.com/thomja/ |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Oct 10 2008 : 03:41:33 AM
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Had a 50 yr old friend who had her first one a few years ago. Her polyps were cancerous.
She was able to have a section of her intestine removed just to be sure. She is fine now.
Scary stuff
And what's even scarier is my dad's best friend was a staunch vegitarian a-naturalle and ended up dying from colon cancer! Mr. twigs and berries never saw this one coming.
I think like certin forms of breast cancer, some are just genitically linked and we are predisposed anyway!
High fiberous foods certinly help, but we have to also be responsible and take precautionary measures, even if its really expensive too. |
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Georgia
True Blue Farmgirl
92 Posts
Angie
ballwin
mo
USA
92 Posts |
Posted - Oct 12 2008 : 11:08:50 AM
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I am 47 now but about 6 years ago I had a change in bowel habits. Went to the doctor and he put me on fiber pills. This only masked the problem. Finally 2 years later I went to a different doctor and he insisted that I have colonoscopy. Well I am glad I did because they found a polyp that was to big to remove and I had to have colon resection. It was stage two colon cancer. I was lucky enough not to need chemo or radiation. But let me tell you HAVE THE TEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It saved my life. Only you know your body and if you feel that something is wrong take charge and don't just put your life in the hands of a doctor! They are human too! and make mistakes. Trust yourself. I did and it saved my life. DON'T BE AFRAID to talk about colon cancer. It is the only preventable cancer. All you need is a colonoscopy. Since this has happened to me my life has changed in almost every way. It is how I found Mary Janes Farm. By taking control of my life and pursueing other life styles than what you see on television. Organics and whole grains are an everyday part of my life now. This has become my passion and I hope this helps someone out there struggling right now! God Bless this forum for letting people share their experiences that may help someone else!
dreamer |
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MagnoliaWhisper
True Blue Farmgirl
2817 Posts
Heather
Haysville
Kansas
USA
2817 Posts |
Posted - Oct 12 2008 : 12:17:24 PM
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hmmm, 3 years, and they were cancer????? Isn't that long time in between?
I had it the first time when I was 14. I only get on the 5 year plan, if I go a full 3 years with out cancer! First time they find cancer, I'm on the 3 month plan! Checked every 3 months, when they no longer find cancerous polyps then I go to 6 months, if in 6 months no cancer, I can wait a year, if in the year no cancer, then I get to wait 3 years, if no cancer then, I can wait 5 years.
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
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nampafarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
494 Posts
Kim
Nampa
ID
USA
494 Posts |
Posted - Oct 15 2008 : 12:07:08 PM
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WOW, the reponse to this posting is amazing. I am glad so many of my 'sisters' are getting this done. According to my Dr, this type is slow growing. My primary agreed. Now my daughters have to have their firsts 10 yrs prior to my diagnoses. That makes them 35 unless that rule changes as the older they get.
Kim
Farmgirl Sister # 302 |
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Here's to Your Health: Preventative Colonoscopy |
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Preventative Colonoscopy
