This Can't Be Happening Again!

wolfen said:

Nothing Yet

Thanks you guys, for asking. Nothing to report yet. The colonoscopy prep contained Aspertame, which Robert is allergic to. The first round of it made him very ill with a migraine and bluured vision. They are going to have to come up with an alternative and then reschedule. I took him to the ER today as the hip pain had become so severe that he was almost in tears. They did a CT, but could find no explanation. He declined pain meds as they make him sick and he can't take anti-inflammatory meds because of the bleeding. He was able to get a few days off work so he wouldn't be standing for 10 hours a day which exacerbates the bleeding and hip pain. Something is very wrong and no one knows what it is.  Doctors and medicine remain high on my hate list.

4 Dulcolax, drink a cup of water every hour from noon to 6; drink a bottle of Mag Citrate.  No more "heavy" drinking after that. Saline enema at bedtime.  Saline enema in the morning.   Don't know if Mag Citrate contains aspartame.  The one I looked up had saccharin in it.

Much more tolerable prep. 

Sending best wishes.

wolfen said:

Good To Know

Thanks Alice, I will copy this Mag CItrate concoction for him.

Marie, I don't know what his prep was. He said it was like drinking glue. The Aspartame was defined by another name, which he researched, unfortunately only after drinking it.

Sue, I was so exhausted when I reported this last night that I didn't tell the worst part of yesterday. We started at an Urgent Care where his new PCP works. He is on the "poor people's" insurance and his options are limited. He was seen by an old "SOB". Any fool could see he was in extreme pain. After the exam  and explaining all the recent happenings, he asked if he could get a note for a few days off from work just to stay off his feet. This person was so rude. He said "Absolutely not, I don't know you from Adam." Needless to say, Robert told him where he could stick his compassion. That's when we headed to the ER. He was just stunned that a doctor would treat him this way. I hated to tell him "Welcome to the real world." where compassion walked out a long time ago.

I know you all have been through much, much worse and probably run into this type of "doctor". Fortunately the ER doctor is probably in the early phase of his career and still retains his humanity.

My CRC surgeon had me use the Moviprep stuff.  Nasty stuff.  My GI doctor has me use a combo of Ducolax, Miralax, and Gatorade.  Using this mixture has never been a problem with any of my colonoscopy procedures.  The Gatorade helps in providing some decent flavor along with keeping your electrolytes up while everything is blowing out the other end.

Still watching this thread to see what's happening. I hope everything will be okay. How unfortunate for him to have run into a nasty doctor. Like things aren't hard enough already. I'll be thinking of you both. Hugs.

Jan

Wolfen, I remember you and Johnnybegood.  Your kind words to me were always lifting and supportive. And I am forever grateful. I just dropped in as I haven't been on the site in a while and I am so sad to read your post. I don't know what to say. It is so not fair!

You and your son are in my prayers beginning today.

Love and Light to you both. And may goodness FLOW to you both today, tomorrow, and the next!!!

Phil

Most states have programs to cover the cost of colonoscopies due to the increased incidence of this dreadful disease.  I believe it was part of the Affordable Care Act and has been effective since 2009 in North Dakota.  I found out about it last month when I was talking to one of the cancer center coordinators at the clinic here. 

Also you should check with the clinic and hospital to see if they have assistance for low to moderate income individuals.  The clinics and hospitals that operate as non-profit organizations in my state (North Dakota) have to offer some assistance to unisured and underinsured individuals to maintain their "non-profit" status.  They offer discounts on uninsured and costs not covered by insurance anywhere from 50-100 percent depending on income levels.  This is not advertised but is handled through the business office.  I found out about it after my cancer diagnosis due to my huge expenses that remained after insurance paid their share.  I applied for the help buy we were just barely over the limit so didn't get the help.

It looks like your son may have coverage in a couple weeks, but it can't hurt to ask about any other options available to him.

I will be praying he does not have cancer! 

Good luck,

Joan

I don't see any recent posts, and that worries me.

I hope your son found a decent doctor (we all know how difficult that can be; especially on government assisted insurance), and that everything is okay with him.

Sending good vibes your way,

Krista

wolfen said:

Thank You, Krista

And all my other friends who responded with concern.

I'm sorry I have not updated. I have nothing to report except that our lives have become an even bigger "can of worms". The bleeding has become sporadic, but the hip pain remains constant. He has not gotten a new doctor yet, since the insurance change in February. He has been more concerned with finding a job. He quit his job of 3 years in mid January because of the constant standing for 8-10 hours with one fifteen miiute break and the fact that his employer did not adhere to the state's mandatory minimum wage increase. He was working on a reservation and they do not have to comply. He thought it would be easy to get a new job, even just cashiering, where the working conditions are more humane, but so far he has had no luck. I can remember my husband saying so many times, "Don't ever quit one job until you have another lined up." I have been helping him financially the best I can, but we are struggling, both on sinking ships. He is all I have left.

So his medical problems are on hold even though I have urged him to find a new doctor to discover what is going on. Until then, I can only hope it is nothing too serious. He does not have the typical symptoms of CC, but as we all know, there is nothing typical about cancer.

Take care,

Wolfen

Thank you so much for updating us. I'm sorry that you don't really have news. When you get some I pray that it's good news.

Jan

ahh Dear Wolfen.....very rarely here any longer.  Just read your long and difficult journey with your son.  so so sorry.  Johnny was a wonderful girl and we walked a lot of cancer roads together....sending you love Wolfen.....mags