BobbyG

May the positive outcomes of some of the stories above give you courage. +1 colonoscopies as early as possible.

lphilpot

Agree 1,000%

I was given a choice between the quick overnight method (i.e., human volcano) and the much gentler "day before" approach. I opted for the latter. Aside from fasting the prep wasn't bad at all: One 10 oz. bottle of magnesium citrate (if I recall), half in the morning and half in the afternoon, and that was it. I had to remind myself I wasn't "just sick". The procedure started at 6 AM and I was home by 9, REALLY HUNGRY.

I should be due in another 3-4 years, more or less.

on2wheelsks

Charles, unfortunately, my Dad (there was 8 of us kids), passed from colon cancer in 1975, and from the rough chemo treatments of the time, sped up the process. I was 20 years old at the time, only got close to him the last 6 months. My Mother, bless her heart, was 53 at the time. She insisted we all get screened by the age of 40. I complied, and have had polyps removed 3 times since. I am now 60 years old, and am certain my health is much better after watching what my Dad went through. All of us kids have had polyps removed at one time or another. My Dad has always been my hero, and I often wonder how my life would have been different with him being around to provide sound advice. My Dad was a civil engineer, always did things the slow, practical and methodical way, nothing he couldn't fix. I miss him.
Having said that, I have watched several people since recover from 3rd and 4th stage colon cancer, where the docs gave them little chance of survival, my brother-in-law one of them. A positive outlook and support team can do wonders. I pray you have that, and I hope you'll come here for support also. You will be in my prayers.
Pat
on2wheelsks

Wanderer

Prayers from Illinois, Charlie. I hope they get it all corrected quickly.

You will be back on the bike, before you know it!

Catinella

Best of luck with your treatment and recovery.

Banded Krait

Charlie:

I am very sorry to hear this. My thoughts are with you as you go through your procedure.

This year I have been doing a lot of research concerning nutrition and health. There is very strong scientific evidence that a whole-food, plant-based diet protects against some of the most common forms of cancer experienced in the U.S., such as breast, prostate, and colon cancer. I wish every American would watch the documentary, Forks Over Knives, and consider adopting such a diet. I had been gradually reducing the amount of animal products in my diet over the last decade or so and, after watching this documentary, and watching some videos on YouTube by Drs. Dean Ornish, Joel Fuhrman, Calwell Esselstyn, and John McDougall, decided to take the final step and go totally vegetarian. The fact that there is a history of colon cancer on my father's side of the family played a big role in my decision.

unterhausen

good luck with the surgery. My dad was diagnosed with colon cancer early because he had a gallstone and they did a colonoscopy. He lived another 25 years until dementia finally caught up to him. Funny thing was, they never did remove the gallstone.

h2oxtc

Charlie, thanks for sharing. The encouragement and comments of others helped me encourage a friend who emailed me yesterday with his cancer diagnosis.

JohnJ80

Sounds like me in 2004. Colonoscopy found a small spot and it had to come out. Had the surgery mid October, went through the recovery and was downhill skiing on December 4th (5 weeks). Biopsy showed that I didn't need chemo or any further treatment other than a CEA blood test every 6 months, a CT scan in 6 months and then yearly, colonoscopy in 6 months and then annually from then on for 5 years. According to my oncologist, the mortality after 5 years is about the same as for the general population.

Yes, it's scary. But you have every reason to be optimistic and to expect a good outcome. What you get from the doctor now is all the risks associated with everything (which is scary and they are obligated to tell you). Colon cancer is some of the easiest to deal with once detected and outcomes are generally pretty good. FWIW, the doctor should be able to give you a good estimate of what he/she saw during the surgery and would expect to see in the report when the pathology report comes back. So you'll have some good information pretty much when you see the surgeon post surgery.

Good luck and expecting a good outcome for you.

J.

ButchA

Wow... That is awful. Sorry to hear about the "C" word.


I don't have a family history of cancer, but the family genes are laced with diabetes after age 60, and high blood pressure and heart disease at the later stages of life. My dad passed away from congestive heart failure in 2002 at age 80. Even though I'm the "baby of the family" at age 54, I am doing everything I can to keep in shape and fight off any illnesses.

Ursa Minor

Thanks again all. Your support means a lot.

Charlie

zeeway

Prayers for you and your family. Two opinions are always a good idea.

JanMM

Current guidelines call for screening colonoscopies starting at age 50. Ten years intervals up to about age 75 if no polyps or other significant issues found. If a polyp is removed then next colonoscopy interval should be three years. More info: American Cancer Society recommendations for colorectal cancer early detection

HAMMER MAN

Best of luck and I hope all works out for the best

roccobike

I hope this all works out for you. Think positive. The problem has been found and now the corrective actions will take place. It's not pleasant, but it beats the alternative.
I'm now three years cancer free from prostate cancer. The hardest part was the corrective action. Once that was over, I just went about getting my life back in order.
May God be with you, keep strong.

reverborama

Sorry to hear this. I had one 4 years ago. They found one polyp. It was not cancerous but of the different types it was the kind most likely to turn cancerous so I am on the 5-year plan. I will get one about this time next year. I encourage people to do it saying that while the comedians on youtube tell very funny jokes about the prep for it, it's really not all that bad. Hope the results of the biopsy are good.

qcpmsame 

Charlie,
One positive note, the various radiation and chemotherapy methods used are much less "destructive" than they were even 15 years ago. Hopefully, yours was found early and it won't have much therapy necessary. Prayers that if you have to go through chemo, or radiation, that its not overly hard on you. It won't be easy, not going to paint a false picture, but hopefully things will go well for you. It will be great to read your thread about getting back on the bicycle, from you, in a few months. Be strong, we all are here for you.

Bill

Oldguyonoldbike

All the best wishes and nothing but positive thoughts and prayers here. Two cancer survivors in my immediate family. The advances in cancer treatment over the last few years have been phenomenal.
It's also very important to keep a positive outlook. Fight it!

fishboy316

Hey Charlie, Sad to hear this. Anytime they hit you with the c word It is scary. Keep the positive Tude and don't give up!
Will keep you in prayer!
Bill

rumrunn6

thanks for the reminder, had my 1st last yr, good luck , stay positive and distracted!

Pamestique 

I had colon cancer... I had some rectal bleeding got my first colonscopy (I was 55 so this was 9 years ago) and was partially awake so watching the scope when the doctor says to me "see? right there... there's the cancer..." My mind went totally numb. Long story short, I found a great surgeon who I was comfortable with and who connected me with the coolest oncologist ever (he was a cyclist even!).

I had the surgery, a section of the transverse colon was removed. I had a week long hospital stay (I won't tell you the surgery was painless and the hospital stay fun - it was what it was). About a 8 weeks recovery and follow up oncology for 2 years with screening every year for 5. I am cancer free (thank God!). As you know colon cancer is the most treatable cancer but also the deadliest. Follow doctor's advice. When I got home, I felt good. Was told to rest for at least 2 weeks. I instead thought "I am off from work, I'm going to Costco!" Made it in the store and fainted. Got the hint, I stayed home 2 weeks.

Quick word fo advice... watch use of pain meds. They cause constipation; not good after colon surgery. Trust me on that! Anyway stay positive. It likely will just be a minor inconvenience for awhile. Just know the community here is praying for a good result.

EDITED TO ADD: For anyone going for that first colonscopy... from someone who has had her share... first off don't agree to the "gradual" method of drinking 5 gallons of water with that sugarly sweet stuff... the rate of failure to do a proper cleansing is high (I can't tell you how many of my friends were sent home to fast another day because they weren't squeaky clean). Tell your doctor you want prospher soda - the quickest method possible (it's now prescription only). Promise to drink lots of water. That is the only way to guarantee a complete cleansing. Also its quick (although not painless but at least quick). Also, best to stop eating solid foods at least 2 or 3 days before. I generally just move to soups or smoothies, nothing solid. No meat etc. That way the fast is easier and the cleansing quicker.

rumrunn6

since we are on the topic - to help stay "regular" aside from other dietary attentiveness, everyday after work, in the car, on my commute home, I have a lettuce wedge, handful of baby carrots, and soemtiems some dried fruit like raisins, then a little magnesium at bedtime

berner

Best wishes for the best outcome.

My attempt to deal with issues, often successfully but not always, follows Oldtriguy's protocol, especially the part of living stress free. I once worked in Connecticut and traveled to work on I 95 through heavy traffic that almost always had me angry by the time I arrived at work. I quickly figured out that was not how I wished to spend my life and quit that job for a lower paying job in a pleasant small town. There are many small ways to relieve stress and otherwise improve the quality of life on a daily basis when we look.

Darth Lefty 

Get well. My Dad had a colon surgery (complications from coumadin and popcorn, we joked).

Cyclosaurus

Good luck and keep your spirits high Charlie. My mother in law was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer almost 4 years ago (but is still going strong). She avoided getting colonoscopies, mostly because I think she was uncomfortable talking about GI issues (she kept up with breast cancer screenings, for instance). That made the difference between catching it early stage and late stage. Colonoscopies are super-important if you have any GI concerns.