Newbie to Rectal/Colonoscopy Exams and Results - Needing Advice

JohnInTexas
JohnInTexas Member Posts: 4
in Colorectal Cancer #1
My surgeon performed a colonoscopy on 12/1/11. During the exam, he found 6 rectal polyps. He removed 5 however he was only able to remove 80% of the 6th and stated I would need another surgery in 2-3 months to remove the remainder. He stated that the 6th polyp was "suspicious". Obviously, biopsies were taken from all of the polyps and sent off to pathology. What I find unusual, and a tremendous source of anxiety/panic, is that I am scheduled for my follow-up visit 2 days after X-mas. This seems like a long time to have to wait for results. This is all new to me and I have been all over the Internet researching the different stages of rectal cancer. I keep getting reassurance that if I do have cancer, it is in the very early stages and it would be extremely treatable. I have another week to wait until I meet with the surgeon but would appreciate any insight and/or advice anyone out there can provide. By the way, I am a 59 year old male and this was my 1st colonoscopy with no family history of similar.

Thank you all and God bless!

JohnInTexas (shaking in his cowboy boots)

Comments

  • Jewells
    Jewells Member Posts: 17
    #2
    Take a deep breath :}
    I understand your worries. Try to concentrate on your family and have a good Christmas. I know that is easier said than done, but you will feel much better if you are able to relax a little. Think of it this way, if there was an emergency, the docs would have done something immediately and not made you wait. Take it as a good sign :} Have a wonderful Christmas and enjoy all of the time you have.
  • Jewells
    Jewells Member Posts: 17
    #3
    Take a deep breath :}
    I understand your worries. Try to concentrate on your family and have a good Christmas. I know that is easier said than done, but you will feel much better if you are able to relax a little. Think of it this way, if there was an emergency, the docs would have done something immediately and not made you wait. Take it as a good sign :} Have a wonderful Christmas and enjoy all of the time you have.
  • Jewells
    Jewells Member Posts: 17
    #4
    Take a deep breath :}
    I understand your worries. Try to concentrate on your family and have a good Christmas. I know that is easier said than done, but you will feel much better if you are able to relax a little. Think of it this way, if there was an emergency, the docs would have done something immediately and not made you wait. Take it as a good sign :} Have a wonderful Christmas and enjoy all of the time you have.
  • Jewells
    Jewells Member Posts: 17
    #5
    Take a deep breath :}
    I understand your worries. Try to concentrate on your family and have a good Christmas. I know that is easier said than done, but you will feel much better if you are able to relax a little. Think of it this way, if there was an emergency, the docs would have done something immediately and not made you wait. Take it as a good sign :} Have a wonderful Christmas and enjoy all of the time you have.
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    #6
    "Don't Mess With Texas!"
    Hey, John...you're talking to another native Texan right here...up in D/FW.

    It's ok to 'shake' some, but remember you're a Texan - and 'Us Texans' kick **** on a daily basis - remember our motto up there in the header?

    The first thing we're going to need is to get the biopsy results back to see if it's cancer or not. Second, cancer is a huge subject so it will be overwhelming just to start dumping on you right now. It would just overwhelm you, believe me.

    I'm a stage 4 and have had cancer 3x and gotten ahead of it 3x in just 7.5 years. I was 43 when diagnosed and just turned 50 myself. It's safe to say, I've probably already forgotten more than I knew, LOL!

    But seriously, I think we should see what the doctor's consult reveals - what their plan of attack will be - and then you can post some questions and we will be able to give you some information and tell you about our experiences. There is alot of knowledgeable people on this site - all of our cases are unique, but we've walked alot of cancer roads together.

    Here's the thing on your appointment, John. You might be able to get in sooner to go over your results. But, let me just throw this out there for you to consider. It's the holidays, buddy.....if the news is not what you want to hear, it will be a depressing holiday and all of that will be weighing heavily on your mind 24/7.

    Now, you're still going to be thinking about it, even if you go 2 days past Xmas. But, here's the benefit...you won't have the confirmation, so you won't be feeling as heavy....apprehensive and concerned? Sure, but not that feeling of "I've got cancer and this is my last holiday..." etc.

    And here's the other thing - and this is important to consider as well. 7 more days of waiting is not going to make the cancer spread all over and get out of control. If that were the case, you've got more to worry about than 2 days after Xmas.

    Cancer won't grow that quick...waiting 7 more days to get your consult will give you your holiday and then you can get down to business.

    And just because the doc said it looks 'suspicious' doesn't make it so. It might not be - it could be - but it also might be a false alarm.

    Once you get a confirmation and a plan of attack in place, then posts your concerns and questions to the forum and we'll be more than happy to try and help you with the various aspects of the cancer experience.

    Welcome to the board - have a happy holidays - and remember, there's plenty of time to worry - savor this time, because if it is cancer, if you don't allow it to steal your holiday, then it won't - and you will have won your first skirmish:)

    Take care my fellow Texan:)

    -Craig
  • Jewells
    Jewells Member Posts: 17
    #7
    Take a deep breath :}
    I understand your worries. Try to concentrate on your family and have a good Christmas. I know that is easier said than done, but you will feel much better if you are able to relax a little. Think of it this way, if there was an emergency, the docs would have done something immediately and not made you wait. Take it as a good sign :} Have a wonderful Christmas and enjoy all of the time you have.
  • Jewells
    Jewells Member Posts: 17
    #8
    I'm sorry!
    I have no idea why that posted so many times and I can't figure out how to delete them.....
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #9
    Colonoscopy
    That seems a long time for results to come back in, but like Craig said, you don't want that news right before Christmas. My colonoscopy was the day before Thanksgiving 3 years ago and that was the hardest holiday to get through. Enjoy your Holiday. Just because it looks suspicious doesn't mean it's bad. Hope all goes well and let us know how the appointment came out. Welcome to the board.

    Kim
  • Lovekitties
    Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member
    #10
    Hi John
    Glad you have stopped in here because you have found lots of folks who not only have lots of experience but also caring and sharing souls.

    The wait time is not really that long. Rest assurred if any of the results were time critical you would be receiving a call for a sooner appointment.

    Yes, the waiting is bad...one of the things about this cancer road is trying to live through all the waiting.

    It seems to me that there are three possibilities for the results: 1) benign on all polyps including the one only partially removed - in that case no worries; 2) one or more plyps being pre-cancerous - not as good as 1 but still not bad and 3) one or more being cancerous.

    In preparation for the follow-up visit, preparing a list of questions might be good based on the possibilities. Some questions would apply regardless. Questions like since there were polyps when should you get your net colonoscopy? What is the reason to wait 2 - 3 months for the removal of the remaining partial polyp? Was the doc able to do a complete survey or would he recommend a CT with contrast to be sure?

    Hang in there and stay in touch. Ask us anything that comes to mind or just vent about how hard it is for Texan's to be told to wait...lol. Seriously, you have found a good place for any concerns you have about this.

    Marie who loves kitties
  • JohnInTexas
    JohnInTexas Member Posts: 4
    #11
    Sundanceh said:

    "Don't Mess With Texas!"
    Hey, John...you're talking to another native Texan right here...up in D/FW.

    It's ok to 'shake' some, but remember you're a Texan - and 'Us Texans' kick **** on a daily basis - remember our motto up there in the header?

    The first thing we're going to need is to get the biopsy results back to see if it's cancer or not. Second, cancer is a huge subject so it will be overwhelming just to start dumping on you right now. It would just overwhelm you, believe me.

    I'm a stage 4 and have had cancer 3x and gotten ahead of it 3x in just 7.5 years. I was 43 when diagnosed and just turned 50 myself. It's safe to say, I've probably already forgotten more than I knew, LOL!

    But seriously, I think we should see what the doctor's consult reveals - what their plan of attack will be - and then you can post some questions and we will be able to give you some information and tell you about our experiences. There is alot of knowledgeable people on this site - all of our cases are unique, but we've walked alot of cancer roads together.

    Here's the thing on your appointment, John. You might be able to get in sooner to go over your results. But, let me just throw this out there for you to consider. It's the holidays, buddy.....if the news is not what you want to hear, it will be a depressing holiday and all of that will be weighing heavily on your mind 24/7.

    Now, you're still going to be thinking about it, even if you go 2 days past Xmas. But, here's the benefit...you won't have the confirmation, so you won't be feeling as heavy....apprehensive and concerned? Sure, but not that feeling of "I've got cancer and this is my last holiday..." etc.

    And here's the other thing - and this is important to consider as well. 7 more days of waiting is not going to make the cancer spread all over and get out of control. If that were the case, you've got more to worry about than 2 days after Xmas.

    Cancer won't grow that quick...waiting 7 more days to get your consult will give you your holiday and then you can get down to business.

    And just because the doc said it looks 'suspicious' doesn't make it so. It might not be - it could be - but it also might be a false alarm.

    Once you get a confirmation and a plan of attack in place, then posts your concerns and questions to the forum and we'll be more than happy to try and help you with the various aspects of the cancer experience.

    Welcome to the board - have a happy holidays - and remember, there's plenty of time to worry - savor this time, because if it is cancer, if you don't allow it to steal your holiday, then it won't - and you will have won your first skirmish:)

    Take care my fellow Texan:)

    -Craig

    Thank you!!!
    I too am up in the DFW area. Your kind words of wisdom are great. This afternoon I meet with the gastro specialist and review the pathology reports and next steps (if any). I am not very religious, have no family or friends locally so the isolation and lack of close support is maddening and my mind is racing all over the place. While the Internet is a tremendous medium for information, I have reached critical mass with information overload. Sometimes knowing too much is not a good thing.

    Thanks again and I will post results tomorrow!

    - JohnInTexas
  • JohnInTexas
    JohnInTexas Member Posts: 4
    #12
    Annabelle41415 said:

    Colonoscopy
    That seems a long time for results to come back in, but like Craig said, you don't want that news right before Christmas. My colonoscopy was the day before Thanksgiving 3 years ago and that was the hardest holiday to get through. Enjoy your Holiday. Just because it looks suspicious doesn't mean it's bad. Hope all goes well and let us know how the appointment came out. Welcome to the board.

    Kim

    Thank you!!!
    I get my pathology results from my gastro specialist this afternoon and will provide an update!

    Really appreciate the support and kind words from EVERYONE!!

    - JohnInTexas
  • JohnInTexas
    JohnInTexas Member Posts: 4
    #13
    Lovekitties said:

    Hi John
    Glad you have stopped in here because you have found lots of folks who not only have lots of experience but also caring and sharing souls.

    The wait time is not really that long. Rest assurred if any of the results were time critical you would be receiving a call for a sooner appointment.

    Yes, the waiting is bad...one of the things about this cancer road is trying to live through all the waiting.

    It seems to me that there are three possibilities for the results: 1) benign on all polyps including the one only partially removed - in that case no worries; 2) one or more plyps being pre-cancerous - not as good as 1 but still not bad and 3) one or more being cancerous.

    In preparation for the follow-up visit, preparing a list of questions might be good based on the possibilities. Some questions would apply regardless. Questions like since there were polyps when should you get your net colonoscopy? What is the reason to wait 2 - 3 months for the removal of the remaining partial polyp? Was the doc able to do a complete survey or would he recommend a CT with contrast to be sure?

    Hang in there and stay in touch. Ask us anything that comes to mind or just vent about how hard it is for Texan's to be told to wait...lol. Seriously, you have found a good place for any concerns you have about this.

    Marie who loves kitties

    Thank you!!!
    Thanks for providing me with questions to ask the gastro specialist! I have a short memory so little does my doctor know but I plan on writing down every single answer! I get the results this afternoon. I am cautiously optimistic but obviously scared.

    Thanks again!

    - JohnInTexas
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #14
    Wishing you the best outcome on the results. One thing you shouldn't do is search the internet for constant information. A lot of it is outdated by years and statistics are not reliable. You are better to ask your doctor first, or come here and see if we can give you some insight on our experiences. There is just way too much knowledge floating about and it's old. If anything serious ever arises, it's best to consult with your doctor.

    Kim

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