New to this board very scared and worried

ppurdin
ppurdin Member Posts: 1,181 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi everyone.I am new to This board .I am formiluer to the Breast Cancer board.I have a long story.I am a Breast Cancer surviver for 4yrs. Now.I have had problems with my bowls for years.I have Colonoscopys every two years.This year I have had two since January.And a scope.I have had a lot of pain in my stomach recently and sever bowl problems.the Dr. Kept brushing me off.I got tired of being treated like nothing was wrong.So I made another appointment.And I told him their is something wrong.The pain is horrible.So after the last Colonoscopy two weeks ago he told me he found a large mass in colon.He said he don't think it is Cancer.I ask what they would do for the mass.He said he dint know.that we would talk about it when biopsies are back.He said he took several biopsies.After each colonoscopy I am in even more pain.He done a double Mack this time.three days without eating and drinking the medicine.Between all that and the stomach pain was terrible. Thought my follow up was tomorrow.It was yesterday and I missed it.Now they won't work me in until next Tues.Another week to wait.I am really scared that this is serios.Can they remove a mass from colon with surgery.I ask if the mass was causing the pain and he said no.So what the heck.Any imput will be appriatted.Thank you.

Comments

  • thxmiker
    thxmiker Member Posts: 1,278 Member
    #2
    Welcome to the Colon

    Welcome to the Colon Forum!

     

    My cancer started with stomach pains also. All three times I told the Doc something was wrong and testing needed to happen.  (Luckily all three times the Docs listened to me.)   My wife has strictures in the colon. Which are little fiberous connections that can limit the peristalsis of the colon muscles.  She can have terrible stomach pains for a few minutes and then it is all over.  Where my stomach pain is constant, not aggrevating like hers, but constant. 

     

    When you have more information then you will know what to do, or can ask more questions. We are all afraid of the unkown. 

    We are sending our thoughts and prayers for a positive outcome!

     

    Best Always,  mike

  • devotion10
    devotion10 Member Posts: 623 Member
    #3
    Sorry you have to be with us ... but welcome to the board.

    I understand why you are very scared, worried, and frustrated.  If your stomach pain is intolerable you should go to the emergency room, if not, perhaps waiting until next Tuesday will be ok to receive the report on the biopsies.  You simply may not be able to know what is causing your pain until then.  Sounds like you are a survivor and a strong person.   Hang in there and get to that appointment next Tuesday.  Maybe take a note pad to write down what the doctor tells you, even a tape recorder to record what he says, or have a friend/family member take notes for you.  Are you being seen at a major cancer center? Please come back and tell us what the doctor says.  This is a good board filled with kind individuals with a great deal of experience.  Should you need us, we will be here for you.  Try not to get ahead of yourself with this.

    Best to you,

    Cynthia

     

    Courage doesn't always roar.  Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying ... I will try again tomorrow.

  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #4
    Oh, dearest...I am not happy to see you here...

    ...for the reason you are here.....

     

    WHAT a nasty doctor you have!!!  We '2-fer' cancer warriors (my first was rectal, second breast, if you remember) are not so rare!!!  (Sadly)  I would shop for a new doctor....at least for a second look...

    To answer your question...yes, of course a mass can be removed from the colon.  Depending on it's location, many are removed through laparoscopy.  If you meant 'without' surgery....well, that is also possible.

    But the pain should be able to be managed!!!  You should not be suffering!!!!  And I am stumped as to why he would say that the mass was not causing the pain....

    All in all, I don't think he is the right doctor.  I could be all wet, but is there some other doctor on your plan you could see?

     

    BIG hugs from a fellow 'pink'......Kathi

     

     

     

  • janderson1964
    janderson1964 Member Posts: 2,215 Member
    #5
    I don't mean to scare you but

    I don't mean to scare you but part of my story is very similar. I was having a lot of pain. Had a colonoscopy. They found a large mass and said if HAD to come ou weather it was cancer or not and immediately referred me to a surgeon. The surgeon told me that hea had NO reason to believe it wasn't cancer. He would do surgery and then biopsy it. Of course it was cancer.

  • janderson1964
    janderson1964 Member Posts: 2,215 Member
    #6
    I don't mean to scare you but

    I don't mean to scare you but part of my story is very similar. I was having a lot of pain. Had a colonoscopy. They found a large mass and said if HAD to come ou weather it was cancer or not and immediately referred me to a surgeon. The surgeon told me that hea had NO reason to believe it wasn't cancer. He would do surgery and then biopsy it. Of course it was cancer.

  • KayeKay
    KayeKay Member Posts: 122
    #7
    im sorry but first of all bs.

    im sorry but first of all bs. my docs put me in pain management for 2 years for back pain. i dohave back pain but it was very intensified by the tumor. once they removed the tumor it decreased by about 35%. secondly, yes they can remove the mass its called a resection. they cutout the diseased portion of the bowel and resect them back together. they took 12" of my colon and i didnt have to have a bag. but make sure they do a pet ct to make sure it hasnt spread any farther. sending best wishes your way..

  • ppurdin
    ppurdin Member Posts: 1,181 Member
    #8
    KathiM said:

    Oh, dearest...I am not happy to see you here...

    ...for the reason you are here.....

     

    WHAT a nasty doctor you have!!!  We '2-fer' cancer warriors (my first was rectal, second breast, if you remember) are not so rare!!!  (Sadly)  I would shop for a new doctor....at least for a second look...

    To answer your question...yes, of course a mass can be removed from the colon.  Depending on it's location, many are removed through laparoscopy.  If you meant 'without' surgery....well, that is also possible.

    But the pain should be able to be managed!!!  You should not be suffering!!!!  And I am stumped as to why he would say that the mass was not causing the pain....

    All in all, I don't think he is the right doctor.  I could be all wet, but is there some other doctor on your plan you could see?

     

    BIG hugs from a fellow 'pink'......Kathi

     

     

     

    Thank you for the reply
    If I know one thing for sure I will be going to a different dr.I see my Cancer Dr. Next week.She is very caring.She will send me to a better one.This dr. Has put me off way to long.And I am still in a lot of pain.I will post again when I get results.Thanks again.
  • ROPINGBUNCH
    ROPINGBUNCH Member Posts: 2
    #9
    not knowing is the worst!

    I was having similar symptoms which ended me up in the ER.  Five long days later, it was confirmed to be colon cancer.  I had a blocked colon from my cancer mass.  The surgeons were wonderful and were able to save my colon (recision)  My cancer had spread (lymph nodes, stomach, liver) so I am stage 4 with ongoing chemo. 

    Do not stop pushing your doctor for results.....call EVERYDAY if you have to, to ask for any cancellation appointments...I believe the doctor and his staff should be ashamed of their actions!

     

    Good luck and keep positive thoughts...they do go a long way!

    Hope

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