Of flinches and words...can we say 'rectum'????

KathiM
KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Ok, now that I said it...not so bad, right?

I am so happy that this word, along with it's cousin, "colon", is getting more play in the outside world.

And it's all the semi-colons that refuse to remain part of a 'silent' group!!!

If I ever questioned the advancement of cancer treatment...well, all I have to do is look at the refining in the past few years with Avastin, 'treat first/cut later' protocols, even the 'customized' chemotherapies.

We cannot rest, we need to keep the word out there!!!! It's CRAZY that in 2007 in California alone, over 2,000 people are going to die from colorectal cancer needlessly...just because they have never been educated. Ewwwww, Ouch! Rectum!!!

Hugs, kathi

Comments

  • JoyceCanada
    JoyceCanada Member Posts: 134
    When I was undergoing chemo/radiation I invariably was asked the question while waiting for treatment... what cancer do you have, "breast"?

    I always wanted to answer "rectum"!!
    However, I never had the nerve and would always say "colon".

    Stage III rectal cancer
    NED October 2006
  • StacyGleaso
    StacyGleaso Member Posts: 1,233 Member
    Rectum (wrecked 'em) ? Damn near killed 'em! lol

    Stacy
  • This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    One for sure for me. His wife told him about me...with NO symptoms to speak of...he had been refusing to go for a few years....

    The scope revealed 3 polyps, 1 cancerous, 2 pre-cancerous. He sent me flowers for 'saving' him!!!

    Hugs, Kathi
  • jams67
    jams67 Member Posts: 925 Member
    I tried to tell people even in the grocery store and gym after mine. Some of them went on to have a colonoscopy.
    Part of the problem is the scope. A colonoscopy is so much trouble, when you have no symptoms. You just assume that you are ok. I was in great shape physically and felt fine. No bm problems at all, and I had stage iv. As soon as researchers figure out another way to test for it people will be more apt to have it done. Until then, we will just have to encourage everyone and get the word out, that it is a silent **** (can I say that?).
    Jo Ann
  • usakat
    usakat Member Posts: 610 Member

    When I was undergoing chemo/radiation I invariably was asked the question while waiting for treatment... what cancer do you have, "breast"?

    I always wanted to answer "rectum"!!
    However, I never had the nerve and would always say "colon".

    Stage III rectal cancer
    NED October 2006

    Hey Joyce!

    I had the same thing happen to me more than once. I would always reply, "I have coloRECTAL cancer...colon cancer. And you should go and get a colonoscopy too!"

    I wonder if this is why most folks picked up a magazine and ignored me after that?

    Colonoscopy the video...staring ANUS, RECTUM AND COLON! Lights, camera, action!
  • robinvan
    robinvan Member Posts: 1,012
    jams67 said:

    I tried to tell people even in the grocery store and gym after mine. Some of them went on to have a colonoscopy.
    Part of the problem is the scope. A colonoscopy is so much trouble, when you have no symptoms. You just assume that you are ok. I was in great shape physically and felt fine. No bm problems at all, and I had stage iv. As soon as researchers figure out another way to test for it people will be more apt to have it done. Until then, we will just have to encourage everyone and get the word out, that it is a silent **** (can I say that?).
    Jo Ann

    Hi All...
    "...it is a silent ****" It sure is that! Silent... but deadly. I had no symptoms other than periodic blood in my stool. It was too easy to minimize that. No pain, no blockage, no fatigue.
    The language around it is tough. "Metastatic Colorectal cancer" Yeecchhh!! It even sounds nasty! I guess reclaiming the language is part of understanding and caring for this important part of our body. Thanks for helping us to do that Kathi and all.
    Rob