A Cautionary Tale

P

Pat Anderson

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2005
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On Monday, I had a GI event that scared the be-Jesus out of me, details would definitely be TMI. To doc on Tuesday morning, the gastroenterologist on Wednesday, scoped on Thursday at 7 a.m. At 65 I had never had a colonoscopy...about 15 years overdue. Very relieved when doc said "Removed a polyp, no cancer, see me again in 3 years."

I had putting this off, and might have put it off forever. It COULD have been too late. I want to see Harper grow up. If you are overdue like I was, you just might want to MAKE the time for your colonoscopy.

 
BTDT, good for you! Glad you're OK! :wink:

Charlie
 
Well done Pat. I think I resisted a couple of years longer than you but the result was similar and to be honest the prep was the worst bit. Now if they could just make that stuff taste like beer....

M
 
Glad to hear it, Pat. I have a friend who is only 67 and had never had a colonoscopy. He is now in the fight of his life w/ colon cancer. Early detection is the key! If you have a family history you should get one at 40; if no history, 50. I am getting my first one this yr as I just turned the big 50...


....yuuuum...beeeer.... :wink:
 
Glad that things turned out OK! When I was in practice, I did occur blood in the stool tests every year, and recommended colonoscopy at least every 5 years after 40, and earlier and more often if there was a family history.

We may "recommendations" from agencies of lesser intervals in the future--as we have seen with some other exams. I would tend to resist these decrease in intervals. Your survival is far more important.
 
Pat I'm glad that everything turned out ok. I'm lucky in that one of my fishing buddies is also my physician. So I get 'pressured' to have all the regular diagnostic checks. I've already had two scope jobs with nothing but polyps.

It is necessary to have these check-ups. In the past ten years I've lost two friends to colon cancer. Not a good way to go. The worst thing about a colonoscopy is the prep and that isn't really all that much.
 
Glad you are still among the walking Pat, but dam you waited this long?? I had my first one three years ago and was given a clean bill of health. I hate doctors but I like living to much to ignore then totally.
 
Pat, glad to hear that what a friend of mine refers to as the "Up periscope!" procedure went well. (He delivers the line as though he's the Captain in Das Boot.)

These things aren't the most fun in the world, but they really do save lives. Thanks for the reminder. We should all take heed. If you're a Boomer or older, or have other risk factors besides age, you just have to get over yourself and go see the darn doctor. Try a light-hearted approach: My brother-in-law came out of the changing room at his first colonoscopy wearing a hospital gown and a Three Stooges tie. He ignored the odd look the doctor gave him and said, "I just thought I would try to maintain a shred of dignity."

PS: You could have titled this thread "A Cautionary Tail" [sic].
 
This reminds me of a small cartoon I saw at a doctor's office back in Hawai'i. A male patient is leaning over a table w/ his pants around his ankles. The doctor is sitting in a stool at the the patient's "business end" and a nurse is standing next to the doctor, holding a tray w/ a bottle on it. The caption: "No nurse...I asked for a butt light". Classic.
 
OK, Mark, THAT makes me think of the guy who had just tried Preparation H for the first time, his review was that it is greasy, tastes terrible, and for all the good it did, he might as well have shoved it up his a**!
 
Pat,

Glad to hear you got a good report. That Prep stuff, It's not named "goLitely" by accident. :shock: :lol:

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Don't forget whats up front. Prostate screening worked for me. I Had major surgery to get rid of a prostate tumor that was much bigger than it appeared in the initial needle biopsies. They cut it out and threw it away 15 years ago. GET the PSA checked anytime after 40.

Just my two cancer cents.
 
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