New battle to fight

Haven't posted in awhile but read the forum every day. Been having bowel problems for a couple of months. Talked to my radiation oncologist at the end of Sept and he didn't think it was radiation proctitis. Referred me to a gastroentrologist who performed a colonoscopy last week which was aborted due to a large tumor in the rectum. Biopsy revealed several suspicious cells but not a confirmation of cancer. C-scan of abdomen and pelvis confirmed the tumor and several small spots on the liver but all else looked OK. GI doc said he's convinced I have rectal cancer and is referring me to a surgeon at Duke Hospital. Spots on the liver indicate it's metastasized so not a good prognosis. Had blood work done today to check for what ever the heck they look for. LOL I know this isn't a PC post but for anyone, especially you younger guys, get the colonoscopy done no matter how much your dread it. This was my first one at age 65. If I'd done it 10 years ago I probably wouldn't be facing this. Please keep me in your thoughts. Need all the good vibs I can get at this point.

Your post really touched me as we all know it is enough dealing with PC now this...... life is so cruel sometimes.

I wish you all the best and my thoughts and prays are with you & your family.

English Rodger.

Raypat...I am so sorry to hear of your situation. You will be in my prayers...we will be here if you need to vent or just talk.

Take Care, Amy



50yr.old female
Chronic pain, fibro, mild depression an nerve pain

very sorry to hear that Raypat.  i'm also guilty of not going to the doctor regularly.  i could have caught my PC years earlier.  i have been telling my wife and friends to ride my butt when we get back from xmas vacation about setting up doctor's appointments, and one of the most important things is to get my first colonoscopy.  playing dumb just isn't going to work for me anymore.  hang in there man.

ed

 

RayPat,

You are not alone. After my husbands PCa diagnosis, I was diagnosed this past May with colon cancer. It was my 1st colonoscopy as well. I went only to appease my G.P whom I rely on for yearly prescriptions. At age 56 I thought I had nothing to worry about. I had no family history, no signs, or symptoms, always followed a health conscious diet, lots of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Imagine my surprise finding I had colon cancer with lymph node involvement! I've had surgery, and am now doing a six month chemo regimen. I've had a couple of setbacks due to a blood clot, brought on by having the chemo pump installed. Then developed a relatively new super -bug, called C.Diff, brought on by antibiotics used to treat an infection caused by an I.V. to treat the blood clot.

I'm doing well now. I figure if I can survive chemo, and it's side effects, I'll be in really good shape.

I'm surprised yours was not discovered somehow during your PCa treatment. Cat scans, etc. One good thing is that all my relatives and friends scheduled their colonoscopies, asap, after they heard about my experience.

Another good thing is that my brother-in-law got the same diagnosis 10 yrs ago. He participated in the clinical trial for the chemo regimen that I am on now. Two years after that they found it had metastasized to his liver. They removed a large portion of his liver, it has since grown back in size. He is doing very, very, well today.

So my friend, I hope sharing this helps, (we need to start a colon cancer site on this forum). Wishing you all the best in this newest battle.

MiraBeau

Mirabeau, thanks for sharing. Maybe I'm in denial or just a hopeless optimistic but I think I'll survive this somehow. Glad you and you bother in law are doing well. With all the DRE and the c-scan to check seed placement I also am surprised it wasn't found earlier.

RayPat:
-you will get a lot of good vibes from this bunch here - as you have seen with the postings above -
-you did the guys a service - for the younger ones as well as older PCa guys about getting a colonoscopy -
-I just had my yearly physical and joked with doctor about "well, at least you don't have to put your finger up my butt anymore..." - he shook his head - that "colon and rectal cancer are a concern and need to be checked" .... so have made an appt in may 2012 to have it done at major hospital ....

-you are in our thoughts and prayers,

hugs,
Bronson

RayPat, sorry to hear your news. I have been down a similar path with colon cancer, and can tell you (and MiraBeau too) there is still plenty of hope. I had surgery five years ago, also had a spot on the liver which turned out to be benign. My most recent CEA blood test shows no recurrence.

Of course rectum is a different story, but it is interesting that despite a large tumor, the biopsy did not confirm cancer. So let's hope for the best...

RayPat and MiraBeau, HW does need a colon cancer site. I have a friend fighting colon cancer also. At first they thought he just had liver cancer and did not discover the colon cancer until 2 years later. He is doing well but still feeling the SE's of radiation to the colon. Now he is on chemo, but seems to be handling it well. The Drs are more optimistic than they were a couple of years ago.

I may have already posted this, but both my GP and Uro advised me not to get a colonoscopy after my pca dx. Glad I ignored them, as I had 5 polyps removed before I decided on open RP. So Endoscopy and colonoscopy on 7/5 and RP on 8/5. Fired the Uro 7/8.

Its up to us ambassadors to help our friends and family understand the importance of early dectection when we can. And to assure them that we are proof that cancer is treatable.

Chins up and best wishes.

My uro and rad-onc reqiured me to get a colonoscopy before they treated the PCa as they wanted to be sure everything was ok before radiating the area. I had two small benign polyps that were removed and was set for a five year return.

I second the suggestion for a vrtual colonoscopy for David.

Thanks to all for the replies. I'll post more about my journey as it develops.

RayPat, I am so sorry to hear about more complications with your health.  I wish you well and hope you will come back with the final results.   No cancer!  Your thread topic is an important one and well worth a discussion. 

Dealing with my hubby's PCa was the most difficult, but he has been in the hospital for other things since his DaVinci dance. Recently, he had a 5 day hospital stay for diverticulitis.  No food or water for 48 hours, then the jello/broth diet, and gradual introduction of light meals.  He was on heavy duty IV antibiotics and the doctors were quite concerned.   He was told to wait 8-10 weeks before getting a colonoscopy.

Then developed a relatively new super -bug, called C.Diff, brought on by antibiotics used to treat an infection caused by an I.V. to treat the blood clot. 

MiraBeau, I read your post with great interest.  THANK YOU!! I have never heard of C.Diff.  I did a bit of research and believe Ron may have had it.  The doctor prescribed a double dose of Cipro and Flagl.  I understand that Flagl is used to combat C.Diff.  He has been so weak, and I asked him to postpone his monthly pain procedure #6.  The doctor inserts 5-6 injections into the nerves of his testicle.  This is to "deaden the nerves."  It has done very little to help with his constant pain, but he is holding out for possible relief.  We worry about our husbands, don't we?  He had disc sugery on c-4, 5, & 6 on his back just 5 years ago.  I have been there every step of the way, doing whatever I can to help.  He is his happiest when with our Grandbabes.

Although, he is experiencing ED, that has taken a back seat for the moment.

David, I also go with the suggestion for a vrtual colonoscopy.  I don't know if our insurance would cover one for Ron.

Star Tech, so happy to hear you took charge and took care of your body.

Bogerman, I also wish you the best.  Now, it's been almost 4 years for me - time to schedule another "fun" colonoscopy!

Piano, so glad to hear of your recovery!

RayPat...Sending good vibes and prayers your way.