Questions about 1 year colonoscopy

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Susanbm
Susanbm Member Posts: 61
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I'm scheduled to have my colonoscopy tomorrow. This will be the first one I've had since my surgery & chemo(Stage III with 1 lymph node). I'm very apprehensive but I know that it will most likely show no cancer and no tumor. What I'm really saying is I'm curious of the odds of the cancer returning to my colon. Would y'all please share your experience? (Okay, I'm from the South--y'all looks funny but I can't think of better word right now) :) Thanks & prayers, Susan

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  • lfondots63
    lfondots63 Member Posts: 818 Member
    #2
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    Hi Susan,

    Just wanted to say Good luck and sending good vibes your way. I'm sure others will jump in with their experiences. Congrats on the 1 year and tell us how it goes.

    Lisa
  • DK2006
    DK2006 Member Posts: 126
    #3
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    Hi Susan,
    Good luck with the colonoscopy. Great question and I'm looking forward to reading what everyone has to say. I'm also stage 3a, and I know that I personally worry more about metatasis to liver and lungs. Anyway, keep us posted on your results. Best wishes, Donna
  • Betsydoglover
    Betsydoglover Member Posts: 1,248 Member
    #4
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    Susan - good luck. Being Stage IV, I am more worried about liver mets than another colon tumor. I had my surgery in June and needed to have another colonoscopy after 12 weeks so they could get all the way through (as they could not due to the tumor). I finally had it in early November and all was clean. My GI doc said not to come back for 2 years - said most docs actually say 3 years, but he is not willing to go that far. SO, I am not nearly so worried about my colon as about more distant metastases.

    Good luck. Not a fun test, but you will feel so good when you get the good news!

    Betsy
  • CAMaura
    CAMaura Member Posts: 719 Member
    #5
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    Hey Susan - I'm right there with ya..although just a little ahead. I am due for my ifrst colonoscopy after the post-chemo one. I am stage III, 3 lymph nodes affected. I guess all I can say is that i thought that chemo would keep me pretty clean for the first year - and it did - so now I worry more. Not giving you much news - just wishing you the best. i am sure you will be fine, and plese keep us posted. So glad that you are finished with chemo. Now you can concentrate on strengthening your body to fight off everything! Take care and all the best - Maura (sorry for the poor spelllling tonight...just really tired and don't feel much like editing)
  • kangatoo
    kangatoo Member Posts: 2,105 Member
    #6
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    CAMaura said:

    Hey Susan - I'm right there with ya..although just a little ahead. I am due for my ifrst colonoscopy after the post-chemo one. I am stage III, 3 lymph nodes affected. I guess all I can say is that i thought that chemo would keep me pretty clean for the first year - and it did - so now I worry more. Not giving you much news - just wishing you the best. i am sure you will be fine, and plese keep us posted. So glad that you are finished with chemo. Now you can concentrate on strengthening your body to fight off everything! Take care and all the best - Maura (sorry for the poor spelllling tonight...just really tired and don't feel much like editing)

    Hey Susan...forget about the odds gal....just BELIEVE.....BELIEVE...BELIEVE!!!! All the best for your scope...PLEAAASSE....come back and tell us all is ok!
    (drinkin that crap still sucks....yyyuuuuk!)
    huggies, Ross n Jen
  • drmrgirl47
    drmrgirl47 Member Posts: 129
    #7
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    Hi,
    I am also Stage 3, 3 nodes affected (rectal cancer). I am 2 years NED. My colorectal surgeon and oncologist both work together. I go for a colonoscopy every year, sigmoid every 3-4 months, CAT scan and chest xray every year and bloodwork every 6 months. I also worry about the lungs and liver and always worry that those 3 buggers traveled someplace. My doctor said that if anything is going to reoccur it most likely will the first year. Good luck and Peace, Annette
  • ron50
    ron50 Member Posts: 1,723 Member
    #8
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    Hi Susan,
    I think you will find that the 12 mos scope is the surgeons way of covering his butt. Stats indicate that the first 18 mos is the most critical time for recurrence. The scope will make sure of two things ,first that the surgeon did get it all the first time and did not get to cute with tissue conservation. I believe that it is also quite difficult to discern ca cells in fatty tissue where the colon flange joins the body. When they remove part of your colon they take it as a field from the actuual colon all the way to where the flange connects to the body. The flange contains all of the blood supply and regional lymph nodes. The second point is that I know of cases where the original GI investigation was not as thorough as it should have beeen particularly in the area passsed the ca site ,in my case they couldn't get passed the ca and had to do a scope at 6 mos. I wouldn't worry too much about the scope I really do believe that it is just an insurance policy ,Cheers ron.

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