Diem Brown

Trubrit said:

Too many of us

I have never heard if Diem Brown, but I am sorry to hear of her suffering. 

I admire her for blogging. People need to be made more aware. sadly, even in today's world, where people talk about parts about their bodies more openly, it still seems to be taboo to talk about cancer. 

I know people feel embarrassed when i tell them I have Colorectal Cancer. The word rectum seems to freak them out.  Too bad!  I tell them in ant case. 

I know Robin Gibb died of Colorectal Cancer that spread to the liver. Most news reports said he died of Liver Cancer, either not understanding or not wanting to say Colorectal.  I will be going to Robins grave next month, as he lived in the next village over from where I grew up. 

I think a lot of people are afraid of the word cancer and would rather not face it. Adding the word colon or rectum to that makes people even more squirmish. In Robin Gibbs case I think you reasons for them calling liver cancer are 50/50. I have been dealing with liver tumors from when I was first diagnosed so I cant tell you how many times people thought I have liver cancer and I have to explain to them that it is colon cancer that has spread to the liver.

As far as celebrities go I am thankful for all of the work and awareness that Katey Couric has done for colon cancer.

lilacbrroller said:

the Bee Gees!!

Are you a Bee Gees fan? I like their music too, and also from brother Andy when he was a solo artist. 

Farrah Fawcett had anal cancer - now talk about embarassing - it's typically caused by HPV.  Audrey Hepburn had colon cancer, as did Robert Reed (Dad from the Brady Bunch),  heres a link to more celebs with MCRC: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/23/colorectal-cancer_n_1446032.html

I think even the Queen Mum had stage I or II CRC

I second the Katie Couric comment.  yeah!

Ms. Brown's blog isn't too raw, and she does raise awareness about how unpleasant cancer treatment can be, and what a roller coaster it is for cancer patients to live from scan to scan.  Now if only such reality blogging could motivate teenagers to quit smoking, or parents to have their children vaccinated for HPV ... sigh.

I also wish that the mandatory screening age would be lowered to 45 - then it would be mandatory, on the checklist, and insurance would pay for the first colonoscopy.  Many people on this board and colon club are between the ages of 45 and 55 and would have benefitted from earlier screening. I know I certainly would have. 

atb

Karin

I listen to their music all of the time.  Great artists. 

Andy Gibb lived his last days with Robin, in his home about ten miles from where I was living. I did not know that at the time though. 

I did did not know about the Queen Mum. 

I wish the age would drop to at least 40, but it won't. And if it did, how many would take advantage of it? We have trouble getting people to have theor Colonoscopies at 50. 

I think of all on this forum under the age of 50, and they are just a drop in the ocean, of people with Stage IV. How blessed would they have been to have been able to catch it at an earlier stage. 

SUE

janderson1964 said:

I had just turned 41 when I

I had just turned 41 when I was diagnosed. At first they insisted it was IBS but the pain got worse and I insisted on a colonoscopy. They said I was too young. My gastroenterologist still says I am too young. In fact when I saw him last week he just went on and on about my age and that he is amazed I am still alive. I started to get aggrivated listening to him go on and on about it. You would expect that kind of reaction from a family member but not a doctor who deals with this everyday. I felt it was unprofessional and made me feel uncomfortable. Maybe I should of said something to him. Not sure why I didn't.

- I love that expression -   But really, if you did say something, it probably would have rolled right off of him.  

but I'm glad she is trying to bring attention to it. I had no idea that one of the Gibbs brother had CRC. I thought it was liver cancer caused by too much drinking? It's difficult to explain to people that it's not liver cancer but a crc that spread to the liver or lungs. People don't get it. 

My brother used to be embarassed to say he had rectal cancer. I told him we all have butts and we all poop the same way. He usually tells people he has colon cancer because it doesn't sound so odd to him. I told him to say whatever he wants, but make sure he's clear when he goes to the doctors. He is heading down to Montefiore to see a surgeon about his liver tumor. He is going to see Milan M. Kinkhabwala, MD. Has anyone heard of him?

Anyway, I wish the facts were told correctly because I thought Robert Reed died from complications from AIDS. If he developed CRC, I wonder why they didn't just say that. Katie Couric is such a wonderful lady for bringing such attention to CRC and the need for colonoscopies. I'm so glad to see that she is happy now!

Lin

annalexandria said:

I saw them in concert

in OR when I was in middle school!

I loved their music, including the older stuff from when they were popular in England in the 60s.

And really...couldn't Staying Alive be our forum's theme song? 

That's a great idae Anna. Staying Alive is what it is all about for us. Well we have to live some too.

'You Should Be Dancing' Let's remember to do this while we're 'stayin alive!' I grew up during the disco craze and I remember the music well. I don't mind telling everyone I have colon cancer, I've convinced 9 people to get colonoscopies. I do think screening is happening too late in life, my son is getting his first one at 30. The big hurdle for colonoscopies for most people is the prep. I believe the future will be a fecal test and then maybe a scan or some kind of virtual colonoscopy. If that happens maybe we can erradicate this stupid disease. I don't know Diem Brown either but the more awareness the better- look at the ice bucket challenge and ALS. Hmmm, what would be in the bucket for colon cancer? Yuck just kidding!

annalexandria said:

Here they are, the CSN mascots!

 

And if anyone wants to sing along, click here...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_izvAbhExY

 

This is awesome!

I loved their music then and now.

Lin

LivinginNH said:

 LOVE IT!!! 

 

 

how did they breath enough to be able to sing??