Worried about cancer diagnosis

2

Comments

  • danker
    danker Member Posts: 1,276 Member
    First Colonoscopy

    I was 77 when I had my first colonoscopy.  The only clue i had was occasional diarrhea.  Read my history for the results.  Soon to be 86, i've been NED for 8 years now.  Hope you have same results!!!

  • LannyP
    LannyP Member Posts: 32
    danker said:

    First Colonoscopy

    I was 77 when I had my first colonoscopy.  The only clue i had was occasional diarrhea.  Read my history for the results.  Soon to be 86, i've been NED for 8 years now.  Hope you have same results!!!

    Many thanks danker

    Thank you sir. I'm hoping for the best.

    You must be quite strong to have made such a rapid recovery!

    I'l be sure and post back after my colonoscopy next week.

    Lanny

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,796 Member
    danker said:

    First Colonoscopy

    I was 77 when I had my first colonoscopy.  The only clue i had was occasional diarrhea.  Read my history for the results.  Soon to be 86, i've been NED for 8 years now.  Hope you have same results!!!

    EIGHTY SIX

    Party on the forum for Danker coming up.

    image   Tru

  • darcher
    darcher Member Posts: 304 Member
     When I bled, it was like a

     When I bled, it was like a stuck pig and scared the hell out of me. That was nearly a year ago.  I'm done with treatment now and looking ok.  Tumors will bleed and in a way that's good  since it presents the warning we need.  And like some of the others, blood tests, biopsys, and CEA were either inconclusive or indicated nothing.  The picture of a tumor was good enough to have me go the full monte on treatement.  After all, those things don't belong inside us. If it's light blood it could be an internal hemmorroid.  It's more likely that than cancer anyhow.  The stomach issues are probably your nerves acting up. I know mine did and it had nothing to do with the cancer. This isn't like it was 30 years ago.  As long as you do as you're told you'll come out of this fine.  

     Oh, one other thing.  When you go in for the colonoscopy, don't look around for the probe.  You'll be knocked out and won't feel a thing.  No sense giving yourself a reason to have nitemares.   

  • LannyP
    LannyP Member Posts: 32
    darcher - thank you

    Thank you for the experienced advice darcher.

    You're right, I'm beginning to realize how much worrying can affect a person's overall feeling and health.

    Quite a few times over the past several days I've had moments of positive feelings that make me feel almost normal again.

    Glad to hear you're doing well. And thanks for the tip about the probe [smile].

    Lanny

  • LannyP
    LannyP Member Posts: 32
    Trubrit said:

    EIGHTY SIX

    Party on the forum for Danker coming up.

    image   Tru

    Thanks Tru

    Happy Birthday Danker!

  • FckCncr
    FckCncr Member Posts: 1
    Stay calm

    There's a dozen things your bleeding could be. It's hard not to worry I know. There's also no way in the world to guess what stage it could be if it were cancer. The important thing to remember is that even if it's a worst-case scnario, modern medicine is all over this and colorectal cancer is very survivable. Having been through 10 months of treatment I can also say that it wasn't as bad as when i was in your place, conjuring up all kinds of worst-case scenarios in my mind. Chances are it's not even cancer. And if it is you have a very good chance of getting through it. As my oncologist says, "You'll look back on this years later as a bump in the road.

  • LannyP
    LannyP Member Posts: 32
    FckCncr said:

    Stay calm

    There's a dozen things your bleeding could be. It's hard not to worry I know. There's also no way in the world to guess what stage it could be if it were cancer. The important thing to remember is that even if it's a worst-case scnario, modern medicine is all over this and colorectal cancer is very survivable. Having been through 10 months of treatment I can also say that it wasn't as bad as when i was in your place, conjuring up all kinds of worst-case scenarios in my mind. Chances are it's not even cancer. And if it is you have a very good chance of getting through it. As my oncologist says, "You'll look back on this years later as a bump in the road.

    Makes me feel better...

    Many thanks, FckCncr.

    The positive input and support you and the other members provide makes me feel much better.

    All of you have made me feel like a friend when I haven't even been diagnosed yet.

    Hope you're doing well.

    Lanny

     

  • LannyP
    LannyP Member Posts: 32
    edited May 2018 #30
    wanted to say hello...

    Hello everyone, hope everything is looking on the bright side in each of your worlds.

    Just wanted to write back with an update. 

    My colonoscopy has been rescheduled for Thursday morning of this week.

    I'll post again after my procedure.

    Thanks, Lanny

     

     

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,796 Member
    LannyP said:

    wanted to say hello...

    Hello everyone, hope everything is looking on the bright side in each of your worlds.

    Just wanted to write back with an update. 

    My colonoscopy has been rescheduled for Thursday morning of this week.

    I'll post again after my procedure.

    Thanks, Lanny

     

     

    Thinking of you on Thursday

    It will be over and done with, and hopefully you won't wait long for the results.  Often times the GI Doc will let you know at the procedure, at least mine did. 

    Good luck!

    Tru

  • LannyP
    LannyP Member Posts: 32
    How kind you are Tru

    I want to begin by thanking all the kind, caring folks here at CSN.

    I feel like I've dodged a bullet.

    My colonoscopy went well, of course the preparation was the worst part.

    The doctor discovered that I have moderate diverticulosis, 3 polyps and internal hemorrhoids.

    The report he gave my wife said two of the polyps were 0.5 cm in size and "sessile" which I think means there's no stalk. The third polyp was 1.0 cm in size and "penunculated" which I think means there is a stalk. It said he was able to remove the 3 polyps cleanly.

    The report said all 3 polyps were "benign-looking" so that sounds good but I guess I'll have to wait until my follow up visit to know for sure these polyps aren't cancerous.

     

    A great deal has happened since I first posted.

    I learned that I've been poisoned by a contaminated Brita water filter pitcher that I bought brand new in April.

    I grew extremely sick with severe nausea, loss of appetite, mounting fatigue and losing 20 pounds over the last 2 weeks. I feel certain going nuts with worry over a possible cancer diagnosis has been a big factor in my illness too.

    My family doctor prescribed a medication called Zofran that has been like a miracle drug allowing me to get through the day without extreme distress.

    After many tests including blood, urine, stool, ultrasound, etc. the doctor found that I have gall stones and will have to have my gall bladder removed as soon as possible.

    I want to warn everyone to be extremely wary of these Brita water filter pitchers. The one I bought made both myself and my wife sick within days after drinking from it.

    We followed the directions on setting the pitcher up carefully and the insertable filter was brand new. Fortunately my wife drinks a lot less water than I do and has already made a full recovery.

     

    Again, I want to thank you all for your kind help and support. The information you provide here is invaluable.

    The advice several of you gave me turned out to be right on the money. A thousand thanks.

    Good luck to everyone. May all your days be sunny.

    Lanny

  • SonicSedition
    SonicSedition Member Posts: 30
    LannyP said:

    How kind you are Tru

    I want to begin by thanking all the kind, caring folks here at CSN.

    I feel like I've dodged a bullet.

    My colonoscopy went well, of course the preparation was the worst part.

    The doctor discovered that I have moderate diverticulosis, 3 polyps and internal hemorrhoids.

    The report he gave my wife said two of the polyps were 0.5 cm in size and "sessile" which I think means there's no stalk. The third polyp was 1.0 cm in size and "penunculated" which I think means there is a stalk. It said he was able to remove the 3 polyps cleanly.

    The report said all 3 polyps were "benign-looking" so that sounds good but I guess I'll have to wait until my follow up visit to know for sure these polyps aren't cancerous.

     

    A great deal has happened since I first posted.

    I learned that I've been poisoned by a contaminated Brita water filter pitcher that I bought brand new in April.

    I grew extremely sick with severe nausea, loss of appetite, mounting fatigue and losing 20 pounds over the last 2 weeks. I feel certain going nuts with worry over a possible cancer diagnosis has been a big factor in my illness too.

    My family doctor prescribed a medication called Zofran that has been like a miracle drug allowing me to get through the day without extreme distress.

    After many tests including blood, urine, stool, ultrasound, etc. the doctor found that I have gall stones and will have to have my gall bladder removed as soon as possible.

    I want to warn everyone to be extremely wary of these Brita water filter pitchers. The one I bought made both myself and my wife sick within days after drinking from it.

    We followed the directions on setting the pitcher up carefully and the insertable filter was brand new. Fortunately my wife drinks a lot less water than I do and has already made a full recovery.

     

    Again, I want to thank you all for your kind help and support. The information you provide here is invaluable.

    The advice several of you gave me turned out to be right on the money. A thousand thanks.

    Good luck to everyone. May all your days be sunny.

    Lanny

    Hey Lanny, sorry to here

    Hey Lanny, sorry to here about your issues, but at least you were spared the cancer diagnoses. I've been using a Brita pitcher for years. What did they determine was the issue? Mold? Cheap overseas contaminated filter?

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
    I'm so happy for you that you

    I'm so happy for you that you're not dealing with cancer. It's great to be proactive about any concerns and to get checked. Early detection is key. Congratulations!

    Jan 

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    Wonderful

    So glad to hear the good news about the colonoscopy but sorry about the Brita water filter.  Wow you have been through some major issues in the last several weeks.  Glad you got the scope done - you can breath a sigh of relief.  Go out and celebrate the great news - you deserve it.  If you need anything further from us in the future, we are always an open door.

    Kim

  • LannyP
    LannyP Member Posts: 32

    Hey Lanny, sorry to here

    Hey Lanny, sorry to here about your issues, but at least you were spared the cancer diagnoses. I've been using a Brita pitcher for years. What did they determine was the issue? Mold? Cheap overseas contaminated filter?

    Thanks SonicSedition

    Thank you sir.

    I drank from the new pitcher for almost a month before my wife and I put two and two together that the pitcher was causing our severe illnesses. I also had moderate to severe pain in both shoulders upon waking in the morning and my wife had severe dental pain in all her teeth within a few days after beginning drinking from the pitcher.

    I Googled "Brita water filter made me sick" and was met with hundreds of reports from individuals having severe GI problems after drinking from the Brita system. Two websites that had the most reports were consumeraffairs.com and a site called beatingupwind.com.

    It is rather peculiar because like you, my wife and I had a similar Brita pitcher about 20 years ago, drank from it for several years and never had a problem. Can't help but think there may be cheap counterfeit knockoffs on the market now?

    I stopped drinking from the pitcher on May 11th and now I'm finally beginning to get back to normal. My appetite is much better, the fatigue has lessened but I still have to take Zofran every 12 hours to combat nausea. I feel certain I was worrying myself sick about cancer too because after I got the colonoscopy report, it was like an emotional dam had broken. Several of the members here warned me not to worry so much and they were right.

    We had the pitcher, filter and water tested at a reputable laboratory and the water test came back contaminated with bacteria and bacterial toxins. Apparently these filters also use silver particles in the filtration process and a defective filter could possibly release a toxic dose of silver into the water that's invisible to the naked eye. Of course silver is a heavy metal and we're suspicious this is what caused my shoulder pain and my wife's severe dental pain. The lab is still looking for evidence of silver contamination. We may have consumed it all.

    Thank you again sir for posting. Hope you're doing well.

    Lanny

  • LannyP
    LannyP Member Posts: 32
    JanJan63 said:

    I'm so happy for you that you

    I'm so happy for you that you're not dealing with cancer. It's great to be proactive about any concerns and to get checked. Early detection is key. Congratulations!

    Jan 

    How very kind you are Jan

    Thank you so much for helping me.

    I hope and pray you're doing well and your health gets better and better.

    You deserve it. Smile

    Warm regards, Lanny

     

  • LannyP
    LannyP Member Posts: 32

    Wonderful

    So glad to hear the good news about the colonoscopy but sorry about the Brita water filter.  Wow you have been through some major issues in the last several weeks.  Glad you got the scope done - you can breath a sigh of relief.  Go out and celebrate the great news - you deserve it.  If you need anything further from us in the future, we are always an open door.

    Kim

    Kim - many, many thanks

    Yes, it's been rather tough but you wonderful folks here are the real troopers.

    In only a few short days you've opened my eyes and for that I'm very grateful.

    It's a good feeling to know that if I or any of my friends or family are in need they can come here.

    The positive attitudes and fighting spirit that all of you have displayed is rare and to be truly admired.

    Good luck to you always, Lanny

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,796 Member
    LannyP said:

    How kind you are Tru

    I want to begin by thanking all the kind, caring folks here at CSN.

    I feel like I've dodged a bullet.

    My colonoscopy went well, of course the preparation was the worst part.

    The doctor discovered that I have moderate diverticulosis, 3 polyps and internal hemorrhoids.

    The report he gave my wife said two of the polyps were 0.5 cm in size and "sessile" which I think means there's no stalk. The third polyp was 1.0 cm in size and "penunculated" which I think means there is a stalk. It said he was able to remove the 3 polyps cleanly.

    The report said all 3 polyps were "benign-looking" so that sounds good but I guess I'll have to wait until my follow up visit to know for sure these polyps aren't cancerous.

     

    A great deal has happened since I first posted.

    I learned that I've been poisoned by a contaminated Brita water filter pitcher that I bought brand new in April.

    I grew extremely sick with severe nausea, loss of appetite, mounting fatigue and losing 20 pounds over the last 2 weeks. I feel certain going nuts with worry over a possible cancer diagnosis has been a big factor in my illness too.

    My family doctor prescribed a medication called Zofran that has been like a miracle drug allowing me to get through the day without extreme distress.

    After many tests including blood, urine, stool, ultrasound, etc. the doctor found that I have gall stones and will have to have my gall bladder removed as soon as possible.

    I want to warn everyone to be extremely wary of these Brita water filter pitchers. The one I bought made both myself and my wife sick within days after drinking from it.

    We followed the directions on setting the pitcher up carefully and the insertable filter was brand new. Fortunately my wife drinks a lot less water than I do and has already made a full recovery.

     

    Again, I want to thank you all for your kind help and support. The information you provide here is invaluable.

    The advice several of you gave me turned out to be right on the money. A thousand thanks.

    Good luck to everyone. May all your days be sunny.

    Lanny

    First things first

    It's looking good for you to be Cancer clear.  Will post my special little man when you get back to us.

    But I am sorry for all of your other problems. How awful to get poisoned by something you purchase to stay healthy.  That is awful!  I use a Shaklee water filter, and now I will be extra wary when I put in a new filter.   Goodness sakes, you just can't win, sometimes. 

    I'm glad the Zofran worked. I took that during chemo, and it worked well for me, as well. 

    Good luck with the upcoming surgery. I hope its keyhole, and easy recovery. 

    May your days be sunny also. 

    Tru

  • LannyP
    LannyP Member Posts: 32
    Trubrit said:

    First things first

    It's looking good for you to be Cancer clear.  Will post my special little man when you get back to us.

    But I am sorry for all of your other problems. How awful to get poisoned by something you purchase to stay healthy.  That is awful!  I use a Shaklee water filter, and now I will be extra wary when I put in a new filter.   Goodness sakes, you just can't win, sometimes. 

    I'm glad the Zofran worked. I took that during chemo, and it worked well for me, as well. 

    Good luck with the upcoming surgery. I hope its keyhole, and easy recovery. 

    May your days be sunny also. 

    Tru

    Many thanks Tru

    Tru, your kindness is greatly appreciated. Thanks also for the positive prognosis.

    My family doctor said the gallbladder removal should be keyhole and I hope so. Got an appointment to consult with the surgeon tomorrow morning.

    Good luck to you also Tru, you're a jewel.

    Lanny

     

  • LannyP
    LannyP Member Posts: 32
    Polyp pathology came back negative

    Hello everyone,

    I had a follow up visit with the gastroenterologist on Thursday and was very relieved to learn the polyp pathology came back negative.

    I really can't express how kind and helpful each and every one of you have been.

    I also hope more than anything that everyone's health is on the upswing and all your future days are positive.

    God bless you all.

    Lanny