Worried...

Phil64
Phil64 Member Posts: 838 Member
edited March 2018 in Colorectal Cancer #1

If you’ve been following my case I’ve been NED since 12/5/2014. I recently posted about being ”deported” as I had my port removed since all was going well. Before it was time to remove the bandage from the port removal I had an incident.

I experienced irritable bowels shortly after eating a spicy lunch. Had to rush to a rest room and made it just in time. And noticed what looked like blood. 

The doctor said he wasnt too concerned since I renently had a colonoscopy. But wanted to know if it happened again.

Yesterday, similar experience. Had to get to a bathroom quickly and noticed what looked like blood. 

In addition I have what feels like a tenderness in my right abdomen. I also felt some sort of pain when I went to get out of a chair just before the first blood episode. I remember that it felt some sort of twinge/twist and then it felt like a spasm. Sort of like a Charlie horse but in my abdomen right side, just under my ribs.

I wonder if I had some sort of hernia or tear or something??? I’d rather wonder it’s that instead of it being some more cancer.

Anyway, now I just noticed a couple messages from my onc‘s office. I‘m scheduled for another colonoscopy on Monday morning. And I’m now laying here a bit disgusted and sad.

This cancer business is very troubling. 

What do you all think? Colonoscopy in November shows clear. CEA and CT scans in February show clear and now this. Ugggh.

 

 UPDATE ON COLONOSCOPY.

We‘re driving home. No sign of cancer. Lots of exposed blood vessels.  Likely caused by radiation treatments for testicular cancer. The doctor said it is very likely that a hard stool could rupture one or more of these blood vessels. She is recommending stool softener. 

 

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Comments

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
    edited March 2018 #2
    I hope it's nothing or

    I hope it's nothing or something minor, at least. I wonder if it was trying to block or kink. Maybe the hot food was too much and created spasms. I get blood from my rectum on a regular basis but I'm on blood thinners and my surgeon says every time my colon is irritated- which it is often due to not being used- that can happen and it's normal. But it's scary to see it.

    Hoping for the best for you,

    Jan 

  • airborne72
    airborne72 Member Posts: 303 Member
    #3
    Thoughts vs. Feelings

    Phil:

    My thoughts are not relevant as I am too inexperienced in this malady.  However, my feelings are relevant.  I so much hope and pray that this is nothing of consequence.  I am sure that your emotions are all over the map right now and this will be one of the loooongest weekends of your life.

    Hang tough my friend.

    Jim

  • kyolcu
    kyolcu Member Posts: 111
    #4
    Phil64

    Hi Phil,

    I hope nothing to worry about cancer because cancer is something chronic and should not come out acute. The symptoms you are having look like acute therefore I hope it is not related to cancer. You are NED for a while now. Be optimistic and try to enjoy your weekend.

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    edited March 2018 #5
    Worry

    It's so hard not to worry, but if you just had all those tests, I'd be a little bit more relieved by knowing that they all came out good.  Not all blood in stool is a sign of cancer as it could be you have developed an internal hemmhroid (sp?) which can bleed.  Wait until the other colonoscopy and if all is good there, your surgeon should tell you there is nothing to worry about.  Adhesions can give you pain anywhere in the abdomen so that could be causing your pain.  Glad that you are on top of things and wishing you well.  Let us know how you are doing.

    Kim

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    #6
    Hate Cancer!

    People don't understand that, when your Stage IV and NED, it doesn't mean you head isn't still filled with the fear of recurrence.

    I hope it is notihng, but you know you want it to be something, just NOT Cancer. And I pray that 'something' is easily treatable. 

    I will be thinking of you on Monday, my friend. 

    Tru

  • Tunadog
    Tunadog Member Posts: 235 Member
    edited March 2018 #7
    Its easy to think the worst...

    But it usually doesn't help. Let's hope it's minor.

    Good Luck 

  • Canadian Sandy
    Canadian Sandy Member Posts: 784 Member
    #8
    I agree with what Annabelle

    I agree with what Annabelle said. Keep strong Phil.....you've been doing such a good job.

     

  • abrub
    abrub Member Posts: 2,174 Member
    edited March 2018 #9
    I get it

    I just went through something similar in that I had pain where I know tumor is growing, supposedly very slowly. Had it grown so large as to impinge on other organs? Fortunately, my scan showed that tumor growth was minimal (even slower than before), and my pain is from something else (likely scar tissue.)  However, the worry that went into awaiting the scan and finding out was inordinate.

    I'm glad that you have the colonoscopy soon.  Like others said, the bleeding could be from something benign, but having been where we've been, we need to know for sure.

    Thinking of you, and looking forward to hearing a benign report.

    Alice

  • abita
    abita Member Posts: 1,152 Member
    #10
    I don't have any words of

    I don't have any words of wisdom as to what it might be. My thoughts are with you and I hope it is something that can beeasily taken care of

  • Dick L
    Dick L Member Posts: 6
    edited March 2018 #11
    The fear and experience of colorectal cancer

    I just finiished about 1 1/2 years of treatment with nearly everything that could go wrong going wrong.  Worked hard to never lose my sense of humor and try to make other folks around me stay positive.  Not sure where it is all headed, but I'm staying upbeat.  I wrote a booklet during the entire process called "Cancer Care -- from a Patient's Perspective."  It was written to help newly diagnosed cancer patients and medical providers improve their understanding of what goes through the mind of a patient as they try to defeat their cancer.  I've tried to get in into this Site's library, but my limited technical abilities are fighting me.  If you would like to read it, send a note to <Content Removed by CSN Support Team> and I'll send it to you.  

  • Mikenh
    Mikenh Member Posts: 777 Member
    edited March 2018 #12
    **** L said:

    The fear and experience of colorectal cancer

    I just finiished about 1 1/2 years of treatment with nearly everything that could go wrong going wrong.  Worked hard to never lose my sense of humor and try to make other folks around me stay positive.  Not sure where it is all headed, but I'm staying upbeat.  I wrote a booklet during the entire process called "Cancer Care -- from a Patient's Perspective."  It was written to help newly diagnosed cancer patients and medical providers improve their understanding of what goes through the mind of a patient as they try to defeat their cancer.  I've tried to get in into this Site's library, but my limited technical abilities are fighting me.  If you would like to read it, send a note to <Content Removed by CSN Support Team> and I'll send it to you.  

    It looks like they won't link

    It looks like they won't link to personal materials here. If you want to make it available, I'd look for a public documents site like Dropbox or Google Documents. I don't know whether or not you can upload free books to Amazon but that might be an option too. I have my own webhost so I put public stuff there - it costs me $10/month. That's another option.

  • Mikenh
    Mikenh Member Posts: 777 Member
    #13
    There are a lot of things

    There are a lot of things that it could be besides a recurrence but I think that anyone with CRC or has had it in the past already knows that. It sounds like the Colonoscopy should help to diagnose the issue - or maybe scans are needed. I don't think that getting up from a chair should cause a hernia unless it was getting up pretty quickly. The cases of hernias that i know about generally involved a fair amount of force.

  • Phil64
    Phil64 Member Posts: 838 Member
    #14
    **** L said:

    The fear and experience of colorectal cancer

    I just finiished about 1 1/2 years of treatment with nearly everything that could go wrong going wrong.  Worked hard to never lose my sense of humor and try to make other folks around me stay positive.  Not sure where it is all headed, but I'm staying upbeat.  I wrote a booklet during the entire process called "Cancer Care -- from a Patient's Perspective."  It was written to help newly diagnosed cancer patients and medical providers improve their understanding of what goes through the mind of a patient as they try to defeat their cancer.  I've tried to get in into this Site's library, but my limited technical abilities are fighting me.  If you would like to read it, send a note to <Content Removed by CSN Support Team> and I'll send it to you.  

    ****, I too have written a

    ****, I too have written a blog. And there’s something therapeutic about writing down our experience. I haven’t yet told anyone about these latest incidents except my wife. If this is another recurrence it will be very difficult to share. But if it is, I too hope to keep a good perspective and stay positive.

    They removed your email. However you can post a private comment on my blog and I’ll reach out to you.

    blog: http://PScamihorn.me

     

     

  • Phil64
    Phil64 Member Posts: 838 Member
    #15
    Mikenh said:

    There are a lot of things

    There are a lot of things that it could be besides a recurrence but I think that anyone with CRC or has had it in the past already knows that. It sounds like the Colonoscopy should help to diagnose the issue - or maybe scans are needed. I don't think that getting up from a chair should cause a hernia unless it was getting up pretty quickly. The cases of hernias that i know about generally involved a fair amount of force.

    I didn’t know what adhesions

    I didn’t know what adhesions were until Kim posted in this thread.  I looked it up and now think the pain could likely be from adhesions. I had three different liver surgeries, one laparoscopic, 2 full incisions. I’m sure I have adhesions. And I notice I most feel it when my stomach is empty or over full. 

    update. I started feeling terrible today. Cold, chills, nausea. My son had a stomach virus earlier this week. So I’m guessing that is it. Just woke up and had to deal with vomiting and diarrhea. Luckily I was prepared.

    At least now I feel better. Nausea is gone and no aches or chills.

    I supposed to start the prep tomorrow afternoon. Feels like I started this morning already.

     

  • Lily Flower
    Lily Flower Member Posts: 260 Member
    #16
    Phil, I don't think a

    Phil, I don't think a recurrence can happen so soon after your recent cleared colonoscopy. It does sound like an adhesion pain. Hope you don't have a tear. Good luck on your tomorrow's colonoscopy! 

  • Ruthmomto4
    Ruthmomto4 Member Posts: 708 Member
    edited March 2018 #17
    Phil

    i would not think you could have a recurrence so quickly after clear scans and the pain could be anything. I won’t tell you not to worry I just hope you get a clear colonoscopy to help ease your mind. Sorry you had the stomach bug on top of everything else! Good luck!  

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #18
    Breath

    I've got this gut feeling that EVERYTHING is going to be just fine.  Smile  It's so hard to do, but I'm sure all will come out well.

    Kim

  • Phil64
    Phil64 Member Posts: 838 Member
    #19
    UPDATE ON COLONOSCOPY

    UPDATE ON COLONOSCOPY.

    We‘re driving home. No sign of cancer. Lots of exposed blood vessels.  Likely caused by radiation treatments for testicular cancer. The doctor said it is very likely that a hard stool could rupture one or more of these blood vessels. She is recommending stool softener. 

  • Joan M
    Joan M Member Posts: 409 Member
    #20
    Phil,

    What you're describing in your upper abdomen sounds like gallbladder pain.  Has your doctor looked into that possibility?

    I've been dealing with gallbladder issues since last August.  It can get really painful at times, and then not hurt at all for weeks or even months.  

    I'm also very familiar with the blood in stool.  I'm having a colonoscopy on Thursday at Mayo at the same time as the ECRP to open my cystic duct.  

    Sure hope you aren't dealing with a recurrence, it sounds like you're not so that is good to hear.

    Thank you for sharing your story and God bless you and your family.

    Joan

  • Ruthmomto4
    Ruthmomto4 Member Posts: 708 Member
    #21
    Phil64 said:

    UPDATE ON COLONOSCOPY

    UPDATE ON COLONOSCOPY.

    We‘re driving home. No sign of cancer. Lots of exposed blood vessels.  Likely caused by radiation treatments for testicular cancer. The doctor said it is very likely that a hard stool could rupture one or more of these blood vessels. She is recommending stool softener. 

    That’s great news!

    i am sure you  feel so relieved!

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