CALLING ALL STAGE I SISTERS

sheila888

Good night

raeinnz

Hi Sheila - have been MIA - very busy with all DDs home, summer and holidays for me.  Holiday in Hawaii sounds nice although we are having fantastic weather at the moment so no need for me to go to a warm place for a holiday.

My GP has never mentioned a baseline screening colonoscopy.  He ordered a baseline bone density scan and mammo at 40 and said I was to have an annual mammo after that.  Was scanned inside and out once got dx of course but only on going test will be bone density every 2 years because on Femara.  Have even dodged my scheduled BS appt as they didn't send me a reminder so I just asked my GP to check my foobs and he prescribes the Femara anyway.  Will say no thanks to BS if his office contacts me.

Twilah

Chabba, that is the drug I was put on, too. I've been taking it for two weeks now...notice lots of body aches and pains. Also headaches. I'll be seeing my Oncologist on the 28th...by that time I should have a little idea of how it's going to work.  Thanks ...

jo1955

raeinnz - Why subject yourself to a colonscopy if you don't have to?  My GYN had me go for one 3 years ago and I'm telling you, unless there is an absolute need, I will never do that again.  The procedure is horrible and not needed for a baseline for anything.

Meece

Not only did did my GP suggest it, I went to a surgeon in September and he also wrote a referral for one.  Who knows why they are both thinking I need one.

jo1955

Meece -  Here is my version of the 5 yard quilt - no binding or hand quilting yet.

 

Anonymous

My aunt passed in October after fighting colon cancer for 3 years.  A horrid 3 years during which she suffered terribly through multiple chemos, rads, meds, pain - she never had a colonoscopy and so the polyps just grew and grew.  Yes, she was in her 70's but it can hit earlier. 

I had my first one at age 50 (that's the magic number for your first) and nothing was found.  Put it off for 11 years and then gave in last year.  Yuck!  just barely got through 7/8's of the foul liquid but they did find and remove one small polyp so I am to repeat it in 3 years. Three weeks before my aunt died I went to see her in hospice and walked right pass her hospital bed that was parked at the nurses station (she would try and climb out of bed and then fall) because I literally did not recognize the skeleton of a person she had become.

No, it's not the most fun, but why are we here supporting one another in our fight against BC?   Sorry for the rant but there's little difference, to me, which cancer you have to fight.  I may be wrong but advanced stage colon cancer may be less manageable than advanced BC?

Meece

Jo, that is gorgeous!

I am having a hard time finding a quality "Mark be Gone" pen.  I just bought one for dark fabrics, and it does Nothing.  How do you mark for your quilting?

jo1955

Meece - For colored fabrics, I use a white pounce pad.  For light fabrics, I use a quilter's silver pencil.  The pencils are easy to find, the pounce pad I ordered online.

Eph3_12

Patoo-your rant is welcomed!  I'm 56 & have yet to have a colonoscopy because my insurance doesn't cover it.  A friend of mine from high school died 5 years ago from colon cancer.  She had her "baseline" @ 51 & it was too late!  I need to get one scheduled, no matter, but knowing me, I probably won't!

Anonymous

I am horrified that it's not covered under insurance.   So insurance companies would rather pay for the treatments, chemo, rads, meds, then the exam!!!  I guess their actuaries figure it's cheaper because most won't have a problem.  Playing with people's lives that way - sinvul.

Eph3_12

I agree!  Just like the physical therapy for my shoulder-my cap was $1500 for the year.  Now that it's a new year, I have to meet my $1000 deductible, so if I do PT I'll have an enormous bill incurred; but by not doing PT my shoulder gets worse & freezes up.  Catch-22 

sheila888

Isn't colonoscopy considered preventative measure test?

You are over 50.

jo1955

It is a preventative test unless there is something suspicious going on.

Anonymous

Joni, is it specifically noted by name in your policy as being not covered? 

Eph3_12

Yes

raeinnz

Thanks for your thoughts.  Jo, I know it is a nasty test and I am tempted to stick my head in the sand and hope for the best and Patoo your insight into the reality of colon cancer and the kick in the butt message about early detection was heard ....  decisions, decisions!!!!  Will discuss it with my GP when next I see him I think and will check out my insurance.  They don't cover preventative surgery but used to cover preventative tests, although they dropped off annual mammograms last year  - how short sighted is that?  I don't need them anymore but I was MAD for the other ladies that won't be covered and could be dx early. 

jo1955

raeinnz - I would not look forward to having a colonoscopy done anytime soon.  I really, really would not discourage anyone from having it done.  A dear friend of mine when through colon cancer a few years ago and have a terrible time with chemo.  She is two years cancer free and now listens to my sad tales with BC.  Although we had two different types of cancer, we are our biggest supporters.  We were both in the Air Force and retired on the same day in 1996.  Have kept in touch ever since.

oakley

Just checking in to say hi.  I haven't hit 50 yet so I haven't had the colonoscopy - just something to look forward to!  Even though it sounds like torture, I'm all for it if it helps with early detection.  My insurance has been a bit of a pain - I have to reach the max out of pocket before they begin paying 100 percent, which of course in 2010 I did.  However, the insurance company's idea of reasonable and customary is certainly not what I'm paying for doctor's fees (out of network)!  Also, the insurance company reimbursed my BS fee 100 percent on the lumpectomy, which ended up being less than 3/4 of her fee (the reasonable and customary thing) and considered the SNB a second procedure during the same surgery and only reimbursed HALF of the reasonable and customary - oh it's all so crazy.  Rambling on, but in summary, insurance is a tough one...

Hope everyone is doing well. 

susantm

I had a sigmoidoscopy a few years back. That's what my health plan recommends after age 50 or 55--can't remember which, rather than a colonoscopy. It wasn't a big deal. The worst part was the enema I had to use ahead of time. The procedure itself was quick and pretty much painless. I was totally clean, so that gave me one less thing to worry about.

Anonymous

The colonoscopy procedure itself is, or was for me both times, easy and the best sleep I ever had.  It's getting down the 2 liters of prep solution that is the hardest part.  They apparently do have a pill you can take but my doc said it doesn't work so she wouldn't give me that instead.  So if your doc believes in the pill for the cleansing there is really no reason not to have the procedure.  IMHO anyway.  And, yes, one less thing to worry about is priceless.  (okay, I'm starting to preach again!)

catbill

I have to agree with patoo.  The prep is much worse than the procedure itself.  I wasn't asleep however.  I asked if I could watch as there is a camera on the scope, andwas told I could.  I was given a pain med, but not the Versed that makes you sleepy.  I've had 3 colonoscopies (every 5 years, beginning at age 45) since my grandfather died of colon cancer. I think sometimes the stories get blown out of proportion. It really isn't so bad, and it's over in about 20 minutes.  Since Medicare now pays for them, more insurance companies are starting to pay for the routine ones as well.  Since I have a family history, mine have always been covered.  I think they have found the pill that patoo mentioned doesn't work well for many people.

mimi1964

Hi ladies hope all goes well with the colonoscopies!  I don't think I'm quite ready for that yet.  I won't be 50 for several years.  I hope my doc doesn't want to do it before then.  But if colon cancer is caught early enough it is very manageable, just as much so as BC, and it doesn't always require a colostomy like most think.  I do advise if you are having problems to discuss them with your doc and not ignore them.  (O.k. enough of my soap box).  

Hope you are all having a wonderful week. 

Sheila, Val, patoo, Meece, Oakley, Suz- Hello!!

Valjean

Hi everyone!

jo ~ the quilt is beautiful!!

{{Renee}}

My colonoscopy was a bit less than 5 1/2 yrs ago. I was told to wait 10 yrs for a repeat. No polyps. The prep was the worst, slept through the procedure.

BarbaraA

I'm with Val, I had one a few months ao and drinking the stuff was horrid. Mine was at 1PM on a Monday and Sunday was clear liquids only, then the prep stuff started at 2. I did my last one around 5 and headed to a beach bar to see DH's band play (asked if beer was considered clear liquid. Answer: yes). So I get up Monday and I am SOOOOO hungry!! Sitting in the waiting room at 12:30, I was ready to rip DH's arm off and start gnawing. Anyway, schedule the appoinment early.

jo1955

Valjean - Thanks so much.  I do the quilts to keep my sanity.  I really enjoy doing them and it is my "escape" from reality.  Whenever I find a new pattern, I have to make it right away.

Meece

I could make quilt tops every day.  Making them into quilts is what slows me down.

jo1955

Meece - Know the feeling.  Love to do the quilt tops.  I need someone to do the finishing work.

jo1955

sheila888

jo...That's just adorable.  Cok guzel.

Sorry if I don't participate in quilt conversations because i don't know nothing about sewing and make beautiful things like you and other Sisters do.

Good Morning.