Information please?

Shoda
Shoda Member Posts: 12
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
On Apr 28 had subtotal colectomy, stg III with 2/27 lymph nodes involved. Just finished 6 months chemo, currently NED. Onc has set up appt for my 4 month checkup, ordering ultrasound, blood work and colonoscopy. When calling surgeon to book colonoscopy (he did my surgery) he advised only sygmoidoscopy required as he advised I have no colon left except sygmoid. I suppose this makes sense(?) but concerned this may not detect far enough. Should I take surgeon's word for it or look to another organization to do colonoscopy. Thanks in advance for your input.

Comments

  • chynabear
    chynabear Member Posts: 481 Member
    If you only have the sigmoid part of your colon left, there would be nothing for them to scope (I think?).

    I would discuss your concerns and fears with your surgean and make it clear that you want your entire colon (or what remains of it) scoped. If you are still not comfortable or if the surgean did not lessen your fears, by all means go get a second opinion... go to a gastroenteologist (I hope I didn't spell that too horribly).
  • johnom
    johnom Member Posts: 86 Member
    I would go back to the oncologist and tell him what the surgeon said. I suspect you are caught in an unnecessary dilemma.
  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    Shoda -

    I ain't got much left down there either, but I ALWAYS have a colonoscopy NOT a sigmoidoscopy. My GI says that by using the colonoscope, he can go on into my small intestine as well and have a look in there. He's the guy that does the President and most of Congress, so I suspect he'd be a trusted source.

    (besides they give you DRUGS for a colonoscopy, but not for a flex-sig!)

    GET THE FULL MONTY!

    - SpongeBob
  • nanuk
    nanuk Member Posts: 1,358 Member
    spongebob said:

    Shoda -

    I ain't got much left down there either, but I ALWAYS have a colonoscopy NOT a sigmoidoscopy. My GI says that by using the colonoscope, he can go on into my small intestine as well and have a look in there. He's the guy that does the President and most of Congress, so I suspect he'd be a trusted source.

    (besides they give you DRUGS for a colonoscopy, but not for a flex-sig!)

    GET THE FULL MONTY!

    - SpongeBob

    wonder if there are any shared secrets there...?
  • Shoda
    Shoda Member Posts: 12
    spongebob said:

    Shoda -

    I ain't got much left down there either, but I ALWAYS have a colonoscopy NOT a sigmoidoscopy. My GI says that by using the colonoscope, he can go on into my small intestine as well and have a look in there. He's the guy that does the President and most of Congress, so I suspect he'd be a trusted source.

    (besides they give you DRUGS for a colonoscopy, but not for a flex-sig!)

    GET THE FULL MONTY!

    - SpongeBob

    Thanks for your input. I am pushing for the colonoscopy. You wouldn't believe what an uproar I have caused between surgeon & my oncologist. But I figure its my life, right? Looks like i will be looking to the colonoscopy clinic to do the job. Many thanks.