I am getting nervous

ladybug52
ladybug52 Member Posts: 41
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I had an appt. with Gastrointerologist on Tuesday.
THey said the cancer was contained in the rectom
,removed up to where decending colon comes down.

THe Doctor also thinks that my hoarseness has been from acid reflux, put me on aciphex, going to see if I can switch to nexium. If that dosent work he will do an upper GI. Been hoarse since operation in may.
It is now time for another colonoscopy. I am getting a little nervous about it, the prep that they use has changed, they say that there is no taste to it now, just have to wait and see.
I am scheduled for December 15th. just 10 days from christmas.
what can one expect from having colon cancer surgery and then another colonoscopy?
Scars and that sort of things?

Comments

  • PGLGreg
    PGLGreg Member Posts: 731
    #2
    Most get a general anaesthetic for a colonoscopy -- I did. There's no sensation, no scars, so far as I know no after-effects at all. Go to sleep, wake up, and it's over.

    I've been hoarse, too, off and on in the year since my resection for rectal cancer. I don't know why. Last summer, I went to an ear-nose-throat specialist, and he didn't know, either.

    Greg
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #3
    Well, I DO have scars from my surgery....but they are mostly external. Got a GREAT picture from my first post-treatment scopy...saw the place where it got put back together. Same as you, I lost my rectum, decending colon made into a new rectum.

    There is something called 'conscious sedation' that was used for me. I was awake, but sedated. At the end, they gave me something so that I didn't remember anything...hehehehehe...quite the source of entertainment for my beau...lasted a few hours after the procedure....

    Make sure your doc knows your history. Did you have radiation, too? Tell him if you did.

    Even the traditional prep, although not alot of fun, is survivable. Remember, this is YOUR colon he will be looking at...you want to give him the best view possible.

    I agree with the reply in the other post...what a GRAND early Christmas present...you are past it, and don't have to think about it for a long while!!!

    Hugs, Kathi
  • jams67
    jams67 Member Posts: 925 Member
    #4
    You could think of the prep as the gift that keeps on giving. Or maybe peace of mind that all is well. That is quite a gift! Take a deep breath, relax, it won't help for you to worry, and you will only be a pain to those around you. Practice relaxing and smiling. Good luck, jams
  • Betsydoglover
    Betsydoglover Member Posts: 1,248 Member
    #5
    I wish you all the best with your colonoscopy - as you know the prep is by far the worst part and I like Kathi's notion that you want to give the gastro doc the best possible view of your colon.

    I am sure you will be fine.

    I had my surgery in June 2005 - couldn't get all the way thru with colonoscopy in May - so I had another colonoscopy in November - all was fine. They could see the reconnection point (anastomosis). Fast forward to November 2006. I just had another one two weeks ago. Clean again (yeah), but also of note - the GI doc could no longer even see the area of surgical reconnection. He doesn't think I need another one for 3 years - my oncologist is not going to agree - so we will probably do one in 18 or so months is my guess - that's a battle for another year!

    Good luck. All I want for Christmas is a clean colon!

    Betsy

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