I'm about to panic!

kristasplace
kristasplace Member Posts: 957 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Well, two years out from diagnosis and i haven't had a colonscopy since. My oncologist said i'd better get one immediately because this was the time people had their recurrences. I've been having so many bathroom related problems since the takedown in May, i figured it was due to being constipated, and a stricture. As a result of taking fiber regularly, i will go for a couple of days without much productivity, then the fiber will hit like a ton of bricks. Last night was one of those nights. I clean myself after each bathroom visit with a washcloth, and last night on the washcloth was "jello". It's a gelatinous goo that i haven't seen since i was first symptomatic with cancer five years ago. It preceded the bleeding which happened off and on during that period. I'm beginning to freak out, thinking the worst! Has anyone else experienced "jello" before, during, or after their diagnosis and/or recurrence? Is this a sign i have a recurrence? I don't want to call my doctor until i hear from others and their experiences. BTW, my colonoscopy is scheduled for August 14th.

Thank you, and many hugs!
Krista

Comments

  • ittapp
    ittapp Member Posts: 383 Member
    #2
    Krista, I am about 3 mths.
    Krista, I am about 3 mths. out of my colon surgery and every chemo treatment I get constipated so, I will take colace and get a gel like substance, it feels like it's cutting right at the lower rectum before it tries to come out and if it does it's like a small rock. At that point I give up and wait for the colace to work along with activa and prunes. The next week it will come out fine. I don't know when I will need a colonoscopy again but will ask. Sorry if this is too honest and grosses you out but it's my story. Patti
  • kmygil
    kmygil Member Posts: 876 Member
    #3
    Schedule the colonoscopy
    Hi Krista,

    It sounds like it's time to have it checked out. It may be nothing, but you should make sure and not have to be a nervous wreck. I, too, have been having similar bowel issues for the last 3 months. I am scheduled for my 3-year colonoscopy next month and I am anxious also. Maybe we aren't drinking enough water or something. I bet Emily will have a juicing solution for us. I am getting closer & closer to her philosophy on nutrition!

    Schedule that test and put your mind at rest!

    Hugs,
    Kirsten
  • kristasplace
    kristasplace Member Posts: 957 Member
    #4
    Thanks you guys!
    No, that doesn't gross me out, Patti! I reached the point of nothing bowel related grossing me out some time ago. Here's a funny story: I told my boyfriend this morning about the jello, and my thought it could be a recurrence. Later this evening, he came out of the house where i was sitting looking distraught. He had been having bathroom issues all day (the runs mostly). When i asked him what was wrong, he told me he had that same jello i was talking about in his underwear, and he was worried he might have cancer. I couldn't believe he would all of a sudden have that jello!! I looked in his underwear and knew right away that it was my hemmorhoid (sp?) gel. He had forgotten he used it. The relief on his face was priceless! I felt bad that i couldn't stop laughing.

    Poor David! Throughout this entire ordeal he has developed everything from sympathy pains to downright paranoid feelings that he too will suffer my fate. A doctor even suggested that during one of his doctors visits!

    Back to the issue...I do take colace twice a day for a long time, and it's never caused the jello. It only concerns me because i haven't seen it since i was cancer symptomatic all those years ago, and i've never discussed the jello with a doctor. I think i will take your advice and call my oncologist on Monday.

    Thank you so much!

    Hugs,
    Krista
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    #5
    kristasplace said:

    Thanks you guys!
    No, that doesn't gross me out, Patti! I reached the point of nothing bowel related grossing me out some time ago. Here's a funny story: I told my boyfriend this morning about the jello, and my thought it could be a recurrence. Later this evening, he came out of the house where i was sitting looking distraught. He had been having bathroom issues all day (the runs mostly). When i asked him what was wrong, he told me he had that same jello i was talking about in his underwear, and he was worried he might have cancer. I couldn't believe he would all of a sudden have that jello!! I looked in his underwear and knew right away that it was my hemmorhoid (sp?) gel. He had forgotten he used it. The relief on his face was priceless! I felt bad that i couldn't stop laughing.

    Poor David! Throughout this entire ordeal he has developed everything from sympathy pains to downright paranoid feelings that he too will suffer my fate. A doctor even suggested that during one of his doctors visits!

    Back to the issue...I do take colace twice a day for a long time, and it's never caused the jello. It only concerns me because i haven't seen it since i was cancer symptomatic all those years ago, and i've never discussed the jello with a doctor. I think i will take your advice and call my oncologist on Monday.

    Thank you so much!

    Hugs,
    Krista

    Colonoscopy
    Krista,

    I'll be praying you can have the colonoscopy soon, and that your mind will be put right at ease.

    *hugs*
    Gail
  • kristasplace
    kristasplace Member Posts: 957 Member
    #6
    tootsie1 said:

    Colonoscopy
    Krista,

    I'll be praying you can have the colonoscopy soon, and that your mind will be put right at ease.

    *hugs*
    Gail

    Thank you, Gail, you're so
    Thank you, Gail, you're so sweet!

    Hugs back,
    Krista
  • VickiCO
    VickiCO Member Posts: 917
    #7
    Get the colonoscopy
    Go for it if for nothing else than to ease your mind. I, too, have the 'jello' issues, usually after taking something like colace or dolculax. My problem now is loose bowels all the time, so I take meds to stop it (they now have me on Paregoric) and then I block up completely. There isn't a happy medium. I am now having acupuncture treatments, mostly to treat my hip pain left after chemo/radiation, but she is working on the bowels as well. I know it's only 5 1/2 months since surgery, but I am so tired of all this...

    Good luck. We'll be thinking of you. Vicki
  • krystle singer
    krystle singer Member Posts: 108
    #8
    To colonosco[y or not to colonoscopy?
    Good question? I am almost 5 months from resection and have endless bouts of constipation and (i can' spell the technical term for this..) "the runs." I never had the 'jello" stuff, but I am nearly always surprised at what I do see. I hate the prep for colonoscopy day. I might as well drink Tide as the horrible stuff my dr. prescribes. But if I were you, I would talk to my dr. One never knows and it is almost always best to be safe than sorry.

    Wish you the best and a clean 'oscopy.'

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