MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish

staynsane

Barsco- so great to note your return.  I too have had spotty attendance lately, and noticed that you had not made comments for a while.  Nice to see your cute little avatar self again!  I hope you are coming out of your slump like a spring bulb bursting through the frozen tundra!

Eli- thanks for sharing your wonderful news!  It's about time for me to receive my mailer containing my "poop on a stick" test.  I've never had a colonoscopy, but then I've never had known issues indicating one, either.  But I'll be double nickels on Friday and am wondering if it is time for me to have the more thorough check.  Anybody have knowledge or a recommendation about that?

elimar86861

luv, I'd wear that dress too (except those puff sleeves look freakish on me.)  I'm going to get some wearable Max one of these days. 

  Can someone loan me $1,000 for these sneaks?

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HI BARSCO, Sorry to hear about the slump.  Breaks are needed every now and then.  When the mind starts to get cancer filled you either need to come here more often to unload or take a break entirely.  And finding some Peter Max shoes at an estate sale for a few bucks could also help.  (Insert Antiques Roadshow dream here.)

elimar86861

SnS,  Are you 50 yet?  If yes, then that is enough reason to book some time with the aliens.  By age 50, you don't have to have family history.  It's as random as BC is, but the better part is that the evil can be easily snipped off before becoming cancer.  With family history, usually people get probed in their 40s or earlier even.

I'm sorry I did not bookmark the article, but I have read that getting the one time poo-smear (done at doc's office) is NOT very accurate at all.  The home test "poo-on-a-stick" (usually a series of three smear cards) is a little better.  Both of those tests can be early (but is it early enough?) indicators that something is wrong if occult blood is found.  Or you might just have a bleeding hemorrhoid but you will have to find out via colonoscopy at that point.

But the main point is this:  If you wait until you have occult blood to get a colonoscopy, you already MAY have a full blown cancer in there.  I did.

elimar86861

BTW, I no longer feel guilty about going on about CRC on this BCO thread.  Even tho' it is not on topic for BC, it is a Mid-Age topic.  If my saga gets even one person's pre-cancerous polyp snipped off in time, then the whole CRC tangent is well worth it.  

luvmygoats

Right on Eli. Cancer is cancer.

Oh looking at those EBay prices for Peter Max stuff. Is MegaMillions tonight?

NativeMainer

Eli, I finally took myself in hand and had my first colonoscopy this last summer.  15 polyps removed, some were the "bad" kind, so I'm on the 5 year plan.  I finally pulled together enough courage to deal with the whole IV stick nightmare 'cause I didn't want to go through what you have.  So I'm probably one save in your account. 

Eph3_12

I'm another save.  I'd been putting it off & finally had it done due to your experience.  I was fortunate-no polyps so I'm on the 10 yr plan.  Yippee!  And since you are the fearless leader, you can tangent anything you want.

Loral

I need to have it done, I'm 52....Had 2 Cat Scans pelvic and abdomen,they show some diverticula and ovarian cyst but no masses. MO was happy, me too.

elimar86861

Yeah, I heard about that Loral.  The Cats told me.  Congrats!

elimar86861

NativeMainer, really?  That is AWESOME that my CRC prompted you to get beamed up to get the baddies out in time.  I don't even remember you mentioning it over the summer, but I did have a slight case of chemo fog going on.  Well, maybe I earned a bit of good karma for my outreach efforts.  I could use some.

And Eph, I know you will enjoy the peace of mind about that over the next 10 year interval.  However, if anything so much as resembles a symptom of CRC before then, do not wait to get it checked out.

While the c-scope exam is the gold standard, it has a 5% miss rate.  I learned that the hard way.

barbe1958

How did some of you get a 5 year plan!! I was put on a 2 year plan for my first 3 scopes!! NOW I'm on a 5-year....

As for anxiety. None. Never even knew someone had touched my body!! I expected to have a sore bum, but not a twiggle!! Very impressed.  The prep is the worst. 

My only panic was when they tried to put the scope down my mouth but I wasn't asleep yet...remember, I get a stomach scope at the same time, just so I don't scare anyone!

MinusTwo

I'm scheduled for a colonoscopy every 3 years due to previous polyps.  Right now I'm 4 months over due but MO said to wait until I was through with rads since my blood counts are still low from chemo.  Getting anxious to get it done.  If I remember correctly, MoviPrep was the one I decided I liked best.

Anonymous

Elimar, I don't consider it judgmental when you been through it and you're only speaking your feelings. Glad we can talk about anything here, not true in the real world. (And I lurk a lot even though I may not post often. Feel comfortable with this group, just don't always have some to say or contribute. Live the change in your headers!) 

My anxiety is 95% IV (I freaked out before MRI, had no clue about the noise) and 5% procedure. Mom had to give me shots starting when I was an infant thru age 6 (she was a pediatric nurse in the nursery before I was born), she had anxiety GIVING them to me, so I'm sure that's where I picked it up because logically, it's not a problem. What I have is a down-right phobia, not helped by the fact that blood tests are a torture too (requires multiple sticks and then the bold flow comes to a grinding halt, only a small few have been successful the first time try without causing me pain). And I love the cats, are they yours?

LuvMG, thanks for researching the MoviPrep. Not looking forward to, we'll just see how it goes. Love the shirt btw, but the placement of faces under the boobs is a bit different. I wouldn't want to draw attention to that area.

Minus Two, hoping the stuff is drinkable, your comment makes it better.

I think I heard mega-millions is Tuesdays and Fridays and no big winners last night.

macatacmv

Hey Barsco, we missed ya!!!! I get the taking a break business, tho!

So I have a Peter Max towel. How cool is that? I've had it for many years, it even has a hole in it, but I can't let it go. Whooeee, those prices for his paintings are sure amazing. 

I had my 2nd c-scope last spring. I'm on the 5 year plan. I agree it is not too bad. Sounds like the prep is changing a bit. I got halflyte (sp?) to drink. I always joke if they are going to give me some drug to make me forget, how bout the year 1978? lol I remember picking my Dad up one time from getting his c-scope. He was eating cookies happily in the waiting room, he said I don't think they did the procedure, I feel fine!!!!!!

edited to add 2TA, ya gotta do what ya gotta do to get through the things we gotta get through! You know yourself best!

I don't have trouble with needles. I had to give my DD shots in the stomach after her last surgery. (Luvnox.  we called it hatenox) It was to prevent blood clots. Of course it produced anxiety!!

elimar86861

2TA,  Have to keep it real and tell you that the last two IV experiences I had, they made a pincushion outta me.  Did chemo change my veins or something?  This is a brand new problem for me.  Luckily, I have no fear or phobia of needles.

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I don't know why some of you (Barbe, others) are getting invited back after 2-3 years, even if there was a polyp removed.  On the one hand, in the slim chance that something was missed, it would kind of be like getting a second chance to find it and get it removed in time.  On that same hand, some rare CRCs are on the aggressive side.  Maybe your docs look at your Grade of BC and if it was a Grade 3 they might suspect you could develop an aggressive CRC.  (Note:  I don't know if it would even work that way, I am just guessing why they want to scope you that often)

On the other hand, this I can tell you...and this is straight off the The American Society of Clinical Oncologist website:  The guidelines(*) are that I don't need to go back now for another 5 years.  Me, who had full-blown freakin' CRC.  Check it out on there for yourself. 

My surgeon scoped me before surgery (no additional cancer was seen) and now again one year after my surgery (clear.)  That is as per ASCO guidelines.  He wants me to come back in one year for another one, even tho' I was clear.  ASCO guidelines say that if nothing was found, I can go directly to the 5-year plan from this point on.  FYI: The garden variety of CRC takes about 7-8 years, minimum, to go
from a polyp to cancer.  So that is why, if (and maybe it is a BIG IF) I
am truly clear now, even I should be o.k. on the 5-year plan.

So WTH?  Why does my surgeon want me back in just a year?  My thinking now is that I would feel comfortable splitting the
difference and getting another in about three years. Can't wait to see
how that goes over with him.

*These guidelines are current as of Fall 2013 (and Barbe, they were derived from Cancer Care Ontario guidelines, btw.)

Momine

Anonymous

Momine, I think that's where I learned how much Valium helped (I think that's what it was back in 1996). Was like a puddle of jello, my DH would rub my neck or shoulders to get me to sleep back then. Now for IV's my good luck charm is a J-pen (what they use on kids).

NativeMainer

2nd time--I have the
IV phobia, too.It usually takes
multiple sticks in one arm before they will consider using my feet, and using
my feet hurts even when they get it the first time.I found a place where they would use my feet
without going through the arm thing, actually got the IV on the first try, but
it still hurt.At least I know it can
be done that way now, and that will help in the future!

Barbe--I have the
stomach one done at the same time, too.I can remember having one of those when they tried to put down the tube
before I was asleep,apparently I put up
a fight at the time, and then woke up from the sedation trying to fight them
off.I'm supposed to have that done
every 3 years or so, but don’t, also due to the IV phobia thing.

Momine

Native, I almost wish I had the same excuse. I have marvelous veins. I would make a great junkie. There is no problem sticking me, it is pure irrational phobia. 

barbe1958

My first two scopes were before breast cancer. If CRC is so "aggressive" why do they say it is there for 7-8 years minimum??? I don't get it. My sister has had many polyps removed and she's on a much shorter plan than 5 years, but I'd be guessing if I said what it was. (She lives in Oregon.)

Dianarose

I too hate the IV part. Doc gave me some numbing cream to put on prior to. I used it when I got my nipple tats too. It did back fire the last time though. I numbed my arm and they ended p putting it in my hand. That sucked. 

elimar86861

Barbe, Where are your reading CRC is aggressive?  It is slow growing, although there can be exceptions (like in almost anything.)

O.K. here is a link to the American Cancer Society guidelines for colorectal screenings.  It is different (more conservative) than the ASCO model, and does show some recommendations for 3 year follow-ups based on number, size, and cell dysplasia of polyps removed.   If your doc wants you back in 3 years, maybe this is why.

I fall into the increased risk group and, for me, this chart recommends I get scoped again in three years rather than the ASCO recommendation of five years.  Will have to see if my doc has a convincing argument on why I should have another one in just a year.  Maybe he is worried he missed seeing something?  But I have had two looks in the last year and feel the most comfortable going again in three years.

staynsane

Okay already!  I've decided that I will book an appointment TODAY for a colonoscopy.  Normally I wouldn't choose to link something with a poop connotation to my birthday (55 tomorrow) but that's usually when I make yearly-type appointments.  Coming up on two years since my BC diagnosis.  I have been thinking the at home stick test is probably analogous to an Easy Bake oven versus a commercial dual fuel model and that I deserve the later.

So at this point, I guess I should figure out whether I should be asleep or just mildly sedated.  Needles are not a problem for me.  But Valium doesn't work and I hate the feeling I get from Codeine.  Love the sleepy feeling after coming to post-surgery though.  Any thoughts?  I will have to read back and see what kind of cleanse you recommend, since my gag reflex is fully intact.

elimar86861

My anesthesia drug was the amnesia-class drug, Versed.  I didn't notice any anesthesia hangover from it.  I just came awake and had the apple juice.

If you want to be awake, they will just give you less, and you will be kind of drowsy but able to see the monitor.  You might feel some pressure from the scope tho'.  For those who never remained conscious, you didn't miss much, but the bowel does look like inside a pretty conch shell.

luvmygoats

You know I think with Versed at least the "lite" version you are not "out". Like you can still cooperate to do things if asked. You just don't give a you know what. But then the only procedures I've had in 24 years are the colo. and the LX. I may not be the be all/end all authority on Versed. I had sodium pentathol in 1977 for a gangion cyst removal and was completely awake but made no sense at all. I remember yelling, yes I don't think I was polite, "I want a cheeseburger". Which is why your comment Barbe about cheeseburgers made me laugh so much. Hated that stuff - gave me a tremendous 4 day headache that rivaled my hand pain.

Mine was Versed too as well Eli. I don't think I had it with my LX (not sure what I had, couldn't see nurse anest. with syringes who was behind me). With my colo.it was like asleep, awake. No in between. DH seemed to have more of the in between dozing in/out for 10 minutes or so.

And yes I have the pretty inside conch shell pics to prove it as well Eli.

MinusTwo

I think I also had Propofol in addition to Versed for colonoscopy.  Wiki says it causes amnesia so you don't remember the procedure.  And I sure don't.  I can hardly wait to have my next scope now that I've learned so much through 3 BC surgeries & LOTS of tests.  Think of all the questions I can ask!!!

luvmygoats

Dang MinusTwo - after all that earlier discussion It was the milky Propofol that I had. Geesh what a terrible memory I have. Not Versed but bet that's what I had for LX. They use Propofol for pts on ventilators. Maybe GoatWoman needs some memory builders. Going to take my vitamins.

Loral

Eli..

Momine

How do you guys know what anesthesia you get/got? I have never had a doc tell me that, and it did not occur to me to ask.

barbe1958

Is anyone else's view of bco kind of weird? This looks more like a DOS application than a pretty Windows app.....

e - not sure where I heard CRC was aggressive, maybe just the urgency to find it in the first place? Why do they jump all over it with rads and chemo and not just take it out surgically like they do with so many breast cancers?