BajaNomad

Pass it On.................(a long story)

CortezBlue - 3-31-2016 at 08:20 AM

Well I hate to be a downer, but, I am hoping this story may touch one Nomad and make a difference.

I am 58 almost 59. I have a brother who is 4 years older than me.

We live a few hours apart and don't really see each other often.

Last Thanksgiving we had dinner at our home and my brother happened to mention to me, "they found blood in my stool."

This was shocking to me because my brother does not do docotors, if you know what I mean.

I asked him what the doctor said about it. He responded "I have to get a colonoscopy"

It really troubled me because I had had blood in my stool before, but it was normally associated with hemorrhoids. His was hidden oe occult blood.

Christmas comes and goes and I heard nothing more from my Brother.

I got a call in about February that they had done the colonoscopy and found several Polyps and another growth.

Two more weeks go by and it is now the end of February from my sister in law and she dropped the bomb that he has colon cancer and was going in for scans and surgery within the week.

My heart fell and I did not know how to feel or deal with the issue. I called him and tried to reassure him that it was found and he needed to keep a positive focus.

That day I setup an appointment for my first colonoscopy. I got an appointment on March 10 to meet with the doctor. This is simply a meeting to discuss history etc. When I told him my age and what I found out about my brother, my doctor looked out over the top of his glasses and I waited to get the lecture. He paused and said, "it is better late to the dance......"

They set an appointment for 3/25/16. I was nervous as a hell up to the time of the procedure.

I arrived at 8:45 and the usual wait took place. They finally called my name and I was going behind the door into a small hospital style area.

The nurses were very pleasant and did there best to calm the patients.

Once undressed, I was in a surgical gown and placed on a hospital rolling bed. They took my vitals and installed a IV drip line on my hand and after a short time they rolled me into an exam room.

Once in the room the Anesthesiologist introduced himself and explained he was giving me the same medication that Michael Jackson used to go to sleep, great, that made me feel better. They went on to say that the procedure is only about 10 minutes.

He began to position me on my left shoulder and then began to inject the fluid and before I could tell what was going on I was out in seconds.

The next thing I remember I was laying on my side and I was in recovery, but thought I was waking up at home. My wife was sitting by the bed side.

The first thing I asked. "is everything OK?"

She then told me the news that I had one polyp, but the doctor is concerned because it was nearly 20mm in size.

The doctor came back around and told me that it didn't look cancerous, but with my brother having colon cancer and the fact that it was larger than 10mm.

So now the waiting begins. It is Good Friday and they are telling me it could be a week before results are back.

FAST FORWARD

So many things went through my mind and so many Google searches on this topic, I was driving myself crazy.

Yesterday afternoon I decided I would call just to check. After making my way through the many layers of nurses I finally spoke with Jane. With my BP going through the roof I was expecting the worse or no news at all. Finally in what seemed like hours, she tells me, "everything came back good but we want you back in 3 years."

I couldn't believe it, finally this ordeal was behind me.

The first person I called was my brother to let him know that due to his issue, that he may have saved my life.

Now, I hope that this story will send you or someone you know that is in their 50's to get to the doctor and get looked at. I found out that my blood was not associated with my polyp and I had absolutely no issues, but when I think about having a 20mm, about the size of a golf ball, in me and feeling no issues, was a powerful thought.

Sorry for the wordy post.

bajaguy - 3-31-2016 at 08:39 AM

The actual colonoscopy is a breeze, over before you know it. Drinking the prep liquid and fasting is the tough part in my opinion. I was cleared for a 10 year return

TMW - 3-31-2016 at 09:00 AM

Good for you CB and here is wishing the best for your brother.

micah202 - 3-31-2016 at 09:04 AM

....''but when I think about having a 20mm, about the size of a golf ball''



.....yer must be playing with pretty small golf balls,, there's 24mm in an inch :light:

...good to get-er-done,, I'm on the slate next week

AKgringo - 3-31-2016 at 09:04 AM

I was scoped out five years ago, and got the ten year pass.

The camera liked my colon, should I post the video here?

Maron - 3-31-2016 at 10:18 AM

Good info and potentially live saving. Thks for the post. Best to you and your brother.

DianaT - 3-31-2016 at 11:13 AM

THANKS --- a very good reminder. EVERYONE should have a colonoscopy when they reach the age of 50 and sooner if there is a family history. Colon cancer is a silent killer.

It has come up before on this forum and a few argued that it is only necessary if there is a problem or a family history. WRONG. As you mentioned, by the time your brother had any symptoms, it was cancer. It is like pap smears, mammograms, prostate checks, etc. It is a great preventative procedure to catch a potential problem early so it can be treated.

Most people will get the 10 year pass, but like in your case, if they see something that needs to be watched, it will be watched.

As mentioned, the prep is the not fun part, not fun at all, but the actual procedure is nothing.

Thanks for the post --- it may save a life, and I hope that things go well for your brother!



KurtG - 3-31-2016 at 11:21 AM

Glad you're doing well and I wish your brother a good outcome. I'm in my 70's and on the 5 year schedule since I have had "pre-cancerous" polyps removed. It is easy to put off colonoscopies and prostate exams but in reality these are procedures with only very minor discomfort and they just might save your life.

TedZark - 3-31-2016 at 12:04 PM

There is a genetic component to this, so if especially if you hear of a family member with a problem, get yourself checked out.

I did and they fixed the problem before it became a real problem. So did my brother, so did my father. I'll be back for an exam in the next year.

Thank you CB for raising the issue.

[Edited on 3-31-2016 by TedZark]

rts551 - 3-31-2016 at 12:55 PM

Get one starting at age 50. My father did not. It might have saved him later in life if he had been getting them regularly. Get your PSA done yearly.

LancairDriver - 3-31-2016 at 01:49 PM

I recently attended an aviation conference and ran into many old friends who I had flown with over the years. In talking to one of them who I knew was well acquainted with a good friend who I flew with a lot and had been meaning to get in touch with but somehow never managed to make the time. When I asked him how my old friend was doing, He informed me he was sad to say he had just attended his funeral the week before. Died from colon cancer at 59. I looked up his obituary and it ended with "don't forget to get your colonoscopy".

bajabuddha - 3-31-2016 at 02:21 PM

I'll share a personal recommendation; if you can get it done at a civilian hospital, avoid the VA if possible. I've had half a dozen of 'em, two at the VA. The private hospitals don't skimp on the Propofol. The VA does to cut costs; last one I kept telling them "You're hurting me!" and they shrugged and said I had enough drugs, quit complaining. The other ones, I woke up and asked my better half, "Are they done yet?" (last one gave me a 5-year pass). I don't want to be awake through the procedure; I wouldn't be able to do much if I were anyway. Otherwise it's just a real pain in the ..... nevermind.

Above all: Git 'er done.

SFandH - 3-31-2016 at 02:54 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bajabuddha  


Above all: Git 'er done.


ok, ok, ok it has been 10 years, I'm due for another.

"Approximately 4.5 percent of men and women will be diagnosed with colon and rectum cancer at some point during their lifetime"

http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/colorect.html

I remember feeling mighty fine the whole day after the last one. Don't know what they used to put me out but it lingered, in a pleasant way.

bajabuddha - 3-31-2016 at 02:58 PM

DEFINITION OF 'PROCTOSCOPE':

It is a long, silvery tube with an a$$hole at both ends. :biggrin:

DENNIS - 3-31-2016 at 03:12 PM


Old age is killing us all. So what. We won't be around to regret it.

rts551 - 3-31-2016 at 03:26 PM

Quote: Originally posted by DENNIS  

Old age is killing us all. So what. We won't be around to regret it.


Having watched someone go from colon cancer, I think I prefer to go from old age.

LancairDriver - 3-31-2016 at 03:29 PM

You may want to leave your cellphone on record during your procedure.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/anesthesiologist-trashe...

BajaBlanca - 3-31-2016 at 08:14 PM

hope your bro does OK

thanks for the reminder!

bajabuddha - 3-31-2016 at 09:34 PM

Quote: Originally posted by rts551  
Quote: Originally posted by DENNIS  

Old age is killing us all. So what. We won't be around to regret it.


Having watched someone go from colon cancer, I think I prefer to go from old age.


In our day and age, we do have a lot more choices than just 'do or die' ..... I monitor my type II diabetes more than other intrinsic illnesses. I don't want to be 'carved on'. Had relatives go from many different causes; now we have insight as to 'choices'. Yeah, none of us are gettin' outa here alive... but with each passing breakthrough gives us more options. Do nothing, is exactly what you will reap.

"The old dog you cannot teach a new trick to, chances are, you never could". .... anon.

CortezBlue - 4-1-2016 at 04:46 PM

It appears my brother was lucky or fortunate.

They took a portion of his Sigmoid(SP) colon and got it all according to his pathology report. No Chemo and a pet scan every 6 months and a colonoscopy every year for 5 years..:biggrin:

DianaT - 4-1-2016 at 06:16 PM

Quote: Originally posted by CortezBlue  
It appears my brother was lucky or fortunate.

They took a portion of his Sigmoid(SP) colon and got it all according to his pathology report. No Chemo and a pet scan every 6 months and a colonoscopy every year for 5 years..:biggrin:



GREAT NEWS and I hope it stays that way. :bounce::bounce:

bajabuddha - 4-1-2016 at 08:43 PM

Good news, VERY good news for your brother, CB. My older bro is on a colostomy bag for the rest of his life. That's a tremendous prognosis.

We have choices: Git'er done!

willardguy - 4-1-2016 at 09:55 PM

probably just more boolchit....but another good reason to enjoy your cup of joe!

http://medicalxpress.com/news/2016-03-links-coffee-consumpti...

durrelllrobert - 4-2-2016 at 04:58 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bajabuddha  
DEFINITION OF 'PROCTOSCOPE':

It is a long, silvery tube with an a$$hole at both ends. :biggrin:


When a Proctologist gets up every morning at least the proctologist knows that he will be dealing with arseholes all day long.

[Edited on 4-3-2016 by durrelllrobert]

durrelllrobert - 4-2-2016 at 05:02 PM

Quote: Originally posted by LancairDriver  
You may want to leave your cellphone on record during your procedure.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/anesthesiologist-trashe...


Her's what your cellphone wont see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0t9dOZPj71k

daveB - 4-2-2016 at 06:05 PM

I'm 71, had my first one almost a year ago. The campaign to get all cleaned out was the worst, two or three days for that, but only a couple of seconds of discomfort once on the table. No real anesthetic, I was awake; Dr. came by soon after and showed me the single, small pollup he had harvested, said it very well could have become cancerous "in ten Years." This was a private clinic, Vancouver Canada, no charge for anything. I got dressed and walked out.
Men have a few things they should watch out for especially, the colon being one, along with the heart, prostate, and a few others that can be treated and prevented if caught early. Do it.

rts551 - 4-2-2016 at 06:26 PM

Good news. Yes, he was lucky!

tripledigitken - 4-2-2016 at 07:28 PM

Come on Nomads, if you're 50 you should be having this done. It saves lives!

durrelllrobert - 4-3-2016 at 10:51 AM

Quote: Originally posted by tripledigitken  
Come on Nomads, if you're 50 you should be having this done. It saves lives!


and PSA testing for prostrate cancer too. When i was 62 my PSA shot way up and my doctor ordered a prostrate biopsy. Sure enough the results came back malignant in 6 of the 8 samples taken. Of course the first thing they wanted to do was surgery to remove it followed by chemo and radiation. I told them to reverse that sequence so they gave me some shots of a female hormone to shrink it then sent me to radiation 5 days a week for 7 weeks. After that my PSA went way down and a second biopsy showed no cancer. That was 16 years ago and my PSA is still normal. I am just as lucky as your brother CB.

[Edited on 4-3-2016 by durrelllrobert]

Genecag - 4-5-2016 at 09:15 AM

Great to hear a happy ending to a health scare!!! Salud Amigos!

Don't forget to get an EKG for your heart as well. 2 of my friends suffered heart attacks around 50 as well and luckily survived.

Here's my story...

About 18 months ago, they found a lump in my neck and after some tests found it to be a mass of fat or liquid..... Since I didn't feel anything wrong, I procrastinated and fast forward 14 months. One day in La Paz, I feel like there is a slight electrical shock where the tumor is located and have some discomfort swallowing and at times taking a breath.

Back for more tests and the thing Grew and now was the size of a golf ball. So surgery is immanent. Through a family referral, I see a surgeon. The Doctor looks through the Blood Tests, Sonogram, MRI and delivers the message: You GOt CANCER!

What?! But, but, I say, the tests were negative....

The Doc says, Being male and the size of the tumor and being part of the Thyroid, sorry it's cancer.

Wow, what a kick in the huevos...

The Doctor recommend surgery and removal of both thyroids and the tumor. She said these types of cancer are not aggressive and can be well treated and with daily medication my thyroid levels can be controlled...

Well, if you don't like the diagnoses then you get a second opinion, Right? Right, I answered myself :)

So with the recommendation of my Family Doctor, we went to see another surgeon. Well, with the nuts kicked in, his diagnosis seemed better. The Doc says, it's really difficult to predict and a pathology report of the tumor was the only way to be sure. He added some good news in that the area looked clean and his preference would be to leave the left thyroid but would determine during surgery.

There was an opening in his schedule in one week, are you ready he asked...

I think I was scared....Never had surgery before and aside from few broken bones and a nasty motorcycle accident, never needed hospitals. Also, to gauge my toughness, I peed out a 7mm kidney stone twice with no pain killers. Once, I did it 32,000 feet in the sky with 2 glasses of Chard on a flight to China. That's another story....

So the surgery took place and took a little longer than expected due to the muscle around my neck, guess I got a thick neck, and the Doc had to cut through the muscles to remove the tumor and thyroid. Everything went well. Spent 2 days in the hospital in a private room and a week at home with my private nurse (my Wife :) )

A week later the pathology report came back ALL CLEAR - No Cancer!

Here's an interesting part for us "Gringos" with a choice....I had the tests and surgery done here in TJ. Over the years, I had only good experiences in Mexico and while not 'state of the art' compared to the North, Doctor's and Nurses were more accessible and showed more compassion.

The best Nurse was my Wife and she took such great care of me :) Only issue, in the hospital the nurse asked me if wanted a sponge bath and my Wife said no :(

Ok, let's look at prices. In the US, my surgery with all the tests would have run about $100K.

In TJ, my surgery was done with the surgeon, the hospital doctor as assistant, my family doctor, anesthesiologist, and a nurse. The hospital stay and all the tests leading up to the surgery.

TOTAL COST under $4K...

How is this possible??? Why is our System so expensive?

durrelllrobert - 4-5-2016 at 09:29 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Genecag  
Great to hear a happy ending to a health scare!!! Salud Amigos!

Don't forget to get an EKG for your heart as well. 2 of my friends suffered heart attacks around 50 as well and luckily survived.

Here's my story...

About 18 months ago, they found a lump in my neck and after some tests found it to be a mass of fat or liquid..... Since I didn't feel anything wrong, I procrastinated and fast forward 14 months. One day in La Paz, I feel like there is a slight electrical shock where the tumor is located and have some discomfort swallowing and at times taking a breath.

Back for more tests and the thing Grew and now was the size of a golf ball. So surgery is immanent. Through a family referral, I see a surgeon. The Doctor looks through the Blood Tests, Sonogram, MRI and delivers the message: You GOt CANCER!

What?! But, but, I say, the tests were negative....

The Doc says, Being male and the size of the tumor and being part of the Thyroid, sorry it's cancer.

Wow, what a kick in the huevos...

The Doctor recommend surgery and removal of both thyroids and the tumor. She said these types of cancer are not aggressive and can be well treated and with daily medication my thyroid levels can be controlled...

Well, if you don't like the diagnoses then you get a second opinion, Right? Right, I answered myself :)

So with the recommendation of my Family Doctor, we went to see another surgeon. Well, with the nuts kicked in, his diagnosis seemed better. The Doc says, it's really difficult to predict and a pathology report of the tumor was the only way to be sure. He added some good news in that the area looked clean and his preference would be to leave the left thyroid but would determine during surgery.

There was an opening in his schedule in one week, are you ready he asked...

I think I was scared....Never had surgery before and aside from few broken bones and a nasty motorcycle accident, never needed hospitals. Also, to gauge my toughness, I peed out a 7mm kidney stone twice with no pain killers. Once, I did it 32,000 feet in the sky with 2 glasses of Chard on a flight to China. That's another story....

So the surgery took place and took a little longer than expected due to the muscle around my neck, guess I got a thick neck, and the Doc had to cut through the muscles to remove the tumor and thyroid. Everything went well. Spent 2 days in the hospital in a private room and a week at home with my private nurse (my Wife :) )

A week later the pathology report came back ALL CLEAR - No Cancer!

Here's an interesting part for us "Gringos" with a choice....I had the tests and surgery done here in TJ. Over the years, I had only good experiences in Mexico and while not 'state of the art' compared to the North, Doctor's and Nurses were more accessible and showed more compassion.

The best Nurse was my Wife and she took such great care of me :) Only issue, in the hospital the nurse asked me if wanted a sponge bath and my Wife said no :(

Ok, let's look at prices. In the US, my surgery with all the tests would have run about $100K.

In TJ, my surgery was done with the surgeon, the hospital doctor as assistant, my family doctor, anesthesiologist, and a nurse. The hospital stay and all the tests leading up to the surgery.

TOTAL COST under $4K...

How is this possible??? Why is our System so expensive?
It's because of necessary multi-million dollar malpractice insurance policies. The lawers in the US will file a huge claim for just about anything. Not so in Mexico

Skipjack Joe - 4-6-2016 at 04:35 AM

Cancer is still a crap shoot. My friend and I were both diagnosed with prostate cancer at about the same time and with the same severity. He's now dead and I'm cured.

Strange thing is that he for sure his was minor (PSA 8) and I was sweating bullets for 2 years (PSA 35).

Makhaon - 4-6-2016 at 06:07 AM

DR, your answer to Genecag's important question focuses on a small part of the problem. Our tort law system and the expenses from it including the cost of malpractice insurance are a part, but only a small part of the high cost of healthcare. In the United States healthcare is the most expensive in the world for complex reasons. We pay twice as much per capita as the next First World country.

While the care some of us can receive is the best in the world, our health care system is broken, fragmented and very inefficient. We spend too much money and must depend too much on the hard work and integrity on our healthcare professionals. Our healthcare system must be reformed.

Forgive me for opening this can further but it must be.

rts551 - 4-6-2016 at 06:42 AM

Quote: Originally posted by durrelllrobert  
Quote: Originally posted by tripledigitken  
Come on Nomads, if you're 50 you should be having this done. It saves lives!


and PSA testing for prostrate cancer too. When i was 62 my PSA shot way up and my doctor ordered a prostrate biopsy. Sure enough the results came back malignant in 6 of the 8 samples taken. Of course the first thing they wanted to do was surgery to remove it followed by chemo and radiation. I told them to reverse that sequence so they gave me some shots of a female hormone to shrink it thprosteen sent me to radiation 5 days a week for 7 weeks. After that my PSA went way down and a second biopsy showed no cancer. That was 16 years ago and my PSA is still normal. I am just as lucky as your brother CB.

[Edited on 4-3-2016 by durrelllrobert]


Today surgery or radiation are options (a choice of one or the other) (as long as the cancer have not spread beyond the Prostate). Tomorrow hopefully gene therapy can take care of it. In any case do not let it go.

[Edited on 4-6-2016 by rts551]

Genecag - 4-6-2016 at 08:21 AM

Another benefit in Mexico is the no appointment for tests...

Blood tests, sono, MRI and X-Rays can all be done just by going to the clinic.

I went for my MRI, waited 20 minutes, they performed the MRI, waited 30 minutes and got the results including a video CD with an expert opinion from the Doctor. The costs for the MRI was $230.

Most of the test clinics provide a diagnosis with the report so it's like getting a second opinion.

My Family Dr. charges me $20 for an hour consultation and I also pay $20 for my Dog's grooming! Go figure....