Colon Cancer related to breast cancer??!?!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2009

    Hey Susan! 

    I was terrified of having the complications you described.  They had me do breathing treatments right away (so, I wonder if that is a regular occurence?). 

    I was originally given Torodol?  No idea how to spell that.  It didn't help a bloomin' bit.  Then, after constant calls to the nurse, they finally got me Dilaudid every 2 hours.  I was originally chomping at the bit for my shot, because at least that would stop the spasms for a few minutes. 

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  • mzmiller99
    mzmiller99 Member Posts: 894
    edited April 2009

    Add me to the list of trumpeting elephants!!!  So glad that you are out and on the mend.  The elephant brigade can follow that aide home and poop on her front porch!  That should teach her!

    Hugs,

    Susan

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  • susan_CNY
    susan_CNY Member Posts: 276
    edited April 2009

    you sure have had a hard time with this, things will get better, I call it post traumatic stress, hugs

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  • Springtime
    Springtime Member Posts: 5,355
    edited April 2009

    Deb, you made it through and are still here, still standing!!!. SUCCESS!!!

    I drink the glop this Wednesday night and have my colonoscopy THursday am.

    As you say, OYE...... :)

    Spring....

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  • TenderIsOurMight
    TenderIsOurMight Member Posts: 4,493
    edited April 2009

    I've been praying for you, Deb. I know the news is challanging, yet as yourself and others, I am so glad your acknowledgement of symptoms brought an early diagnosis.

     Adding 5 year colonoscopy to my to do list too.

    Tender 

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  • spikedscrubs
    spikedscrubs Member Posts: 2
    edited April 2009

    Deb, is the genetic mutation you're talking about Lynch Syndrome?  My dad was just diagnosed today and I get tested for it as soon as his specific mutation gets determined.  I would love to be a support for you - even if it isn't Lynch Syndrome specifically.  Please know that you're in my thoughts.  I am a GI nurse at a large university hospital as well so I know how tough those NGs and abd surgery can be to recover from.  I also work with nursing students every day so I know exactly what scared face you're talking about with the students! :)  I wish you all the best!

    Kelsey

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  • NadineS
    NadineS Member Posts: 15
    edited April 2009

    Thanks gg08 and lexislove and everyone here for the support.  I am finally scheduled to have a CT-guided biopsy for the possible GIST on Thursday.  They originally had me scheduled for next Tuesday, which would have been almost three weeks from the original CT scan that showed the 11 cm tumor, which appears to be in the small intestine.   I was persistent and luckily they got an earlier biopsy.

    gg08, I will post a separate thread.

    Nadine

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  • Springtime
    Springtime Member Posts: 5,355
    edited April 2009

    starvation diet today, drinking the "glop" tonight starting at 5PM! oye. Tomorrow is the procedure.

    Thinking of you Deb!

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  • Springtime
    Springtime Member Posts: 5,355
    edited April 2009

    I survived the "prep" last night and the procedure today. I officially have a clear butt! Go back in 5 years....

    Spring. 

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  • hollyann
    hollyann Member Posts: 2,992
    edited April 2009

    Deb, glad to see you are home and doing well........As stephanie says, God is able.....and he has watched over you well........Wishing you a speedy and healthy recovery with NO chemo in your future!.......

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2009

    AYE!   I just typed a huge message, stopped for one minute, and my computer shut down!!!!  

    I'll try again.  I was in the hospital-again.  I had this awful pain that wouldn't go away, called my surgeon twice, and he finally said to go to the ER.  I did, on Monday, and was admitted.  They gave me dilaudid and my pain disappeared immediately.  


    Turned out I had a UTI.  I thought I was doing better until I woke up three mornings ago with a 102.6 fever.   They went into the fast track, and sent me for a liver/gallbladder/pancreas test.  I was okay, thank you Lord! 


    My fever broke last night, and I am home.  The only other weirdo thing that happened was that I had an IV that infiltrated.  Bleech!  It hurt like a mo-foe, and they were like, "Well, it's supposed to hurt because you are getting potassium."   I waited about 2 minutes, looked down, and my arm was suddenly like Popeye the sailor man.  They immediately took out the IV, and I went on oral meds.  

    BTW, I want to tell you all I am really proud that the crap (no pun intended) that I have gone through has inspired a bunch of you to go and get your bums checked out.   It is not a fun thing, but it is necessary!!!!!   I am proud of you for doing so!  

    Love and prayers, Deb

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2009

    PS-I debated on showing Daniel my stapled belly.  I was extremely open with my breast scars, and when he asked to see, I balked for a moment.  

    I said, "Are you sure?"  He said, "Yes."  

    I showed him.  He called it a zipper.  He said, "Woooooooow." 

    He was afraid to hug me because he didn't want to give me an owwie. 

    Today he saw me and asked if I still had a zipper.  I said no, and he gave me a big hug.  All is well. 

    PS-

    Here is an excerpt from a "note" to the Easter Bunny from Daniel.....


    "The reason for Easter is to take care.  Jesus took away the things in our Easter Eggs.  Jesus died to take away our pray.  

    Oh.  Jesus died on the cross to take away our sins.  Amen.  Love, Daniel" 

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  • Kindergarten
    Kindergarten Member Posts: 4,869
    edited April 2009

    Hey, Deb, I am so sorry that you have had to go through so much. You are one tough lady!!!! What an ispiration to us all and you are so young, but your wonderful spirit and positive attitude is going to see you through all of this. Can't wait to see you all again. Kathy

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2009

    Hello sweet sisters and Elephant Brigade! 

    I'm just asking you all to offer some Elephant strength for me tomorrow.  I've been recovering slowly buyt surely.  The one problem has been my gallbladder.  It shows up as enlarged on an US, and causes me quite a bit of discomfort. 

    I have to go tomorrow for a HIDA scan?  I'm a little nervous because this is totally new to me.  Everything else feels like I've done it a thousand times before, but what the heck is this one going to be like?!?! 

    So, hold out those trunks if you don't mind.  Maybe sound a cool trumpet call so I know you are there.  Just don't bump the person putting in the IV.  I've only got one usable arm! Don't wanna blow any veins! 

    Thanks for being the greatest sisters ever! Elephant Whoopsie

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2009

    bumping for elephants to jump in!

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  • lvtwoqlt
    lvtwoqlt Member Posts: 6,162
    edited May 2009

    Whoop. Elephant sister Sheila, here for you, I will be careful not to bump anybody.

    Sheila

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  • 1Cathi
    1Cathi Member Posts: 1,957
    edited May 2009

    Hi Woopsie -I just stumbled across this thread, I may have missed you as far as the HIDA scan, but if not just wanted to tell you I had one in 06 for some stomach/gallbladder issues, if nothing has changed as far as the procedure goes, it was completely pain free (except of coarse for the IV stick), it was extremely long however about 2 hours of laying still, half way through I was allowed to sit up to drink Ensure which helped with the last part of the test, to see gallbladder  and liver functions. The worst part really was the TIME. Sending you cyber hugs and peaceful wishes.

    XOXOXOXOXO

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  • krcll
    krcll Member Posts: 343
    edited October 2010

    Just bumping this. My paternal grandfather and my father both had colon cancer. No other cancer in the family.

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  • BMac
    BMac Member Posts: 650
    edited October 2010

    I've had both ovarian and breast cancer and had read that having had ovarian put me at risk for colon cancer.  Kept thinking I must ask my doc about getting a colonoscopy.  When I asked her she said how did you get to 57 and not have a colonoscopy yet?  Grrrrr.  She's usually on the ball about these things.  Anyway, I'm having it next month and hopefully all is well.  I've recently started having indigestion and my abdomen is feeling weird.  Hopefully, it's nothing.

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  • krcll
    krcll Member Posts: 343
    edited October 2010

    BMac- Do you know if there is a link between ovarian cancer and breast cancer, if you don't have the BRCA gene? I had a borderline serous ovarian tumor in 2005. I guess it is time for me to get a colonoscopy, too. I'm 49. Good luck on yours.

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  • BMac
    BMac Member Posts: 650
    edited October 2010

    I don't know.  I'm BRCA1 so mine are definitely related.  Lucky me!  Thanks for the good wishes and make sure you get your colonoscopy.  We have to advocate for ourselves.

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  • hobie644
    hobie644 Member Posts: 94
    edited October 2010

    I thought I'd post on this thread since I just had my first colonoscopy.  The prep was horrible, but luckily, I don't remember the procedure thanks to good drugs. When I woke up from my twilight sleep, the Doctor told me that he found 2 polyps and took them out.  Then he said that the polyps will be biopsied and I should be getting a letter in a few days telling me whether or not to come back in 5 years or 10 years. I know most colon polyps are benign, but since I had bc, I can't help worry that mine aren't and I'll get that call telling me so.  I'm praying that I'll be told to schedule my next colonoscopy in 10 years.  Right now, instead of my breasts being on my mind, I'm thinking about my colon...Not Good!

    Carol 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2010

    How is everybody doing here?  Test results? Updates?

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  • hobie644
    hobie644 Member Posts: 94
    edited November 2010

    I finally got my test results from my colonoscopy and I had the same type of polyp that Dr. Oz had; a adenomatous polyp, the kind that can become malignant over time so, they want me to have a follow up colonoscopy in 5 yrs. 

    I'm not too freaked out by this, just crap Embarassed one more thing I have to keep a close eye on.

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  • Lowrider54
    Lowrider54 Member Posts: 2,721
    edited November 2010

    Good bump - I had my first colonoscopy last year during all the testing and surgeries and finally dx and treatment of mets to the bone.  They removed several small polyps but 'tatooed' one spot after removal.  My results were all negative. 

    I was to go again in September this year as they wanted me in yearly due to the bc mets but didn't - yet.  I knew I was going to have my 6 month PET scan in the fall so I figured I could wait a little bit.

    My question - will the PET show active cells in the colon or should I go back and go through the colonoscopy again? 

    I have been feeling pretty good and the scanxiety for these scans is starting to get pretty intense (7 days away) - they are a big milestone as it will either leave me on the same course of treatment or, if progression, everything is going to change so I am starting to get VERY nervous.

    I know there is an increased risk of developing colon cancer now with mets.  Any thoughts would be appreciated.

    Thanks...LowRider

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  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited November 2010

    Lowrider, if I were you I'd go for the colonoscopy. The PET will only show lesions of at least 2mm, not precancerous stuff. The colonoscopy not only shows the precancerous stuff, it TAKES THEM OUT.

    Best of luck.

    Leah

    P.S. I know the prep is absolutely the awful, but not nearly as awful as colon ca would be.

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  • Lowrider54
    Lowrider54 Member Posts: 2,721
    edited November 2010

    Thanks Leah...at least this time, the prep won't be as bad - I had it done the Monday after my week of breast reconstructions, MRI's, and bone biopsy which confirmed the mets - I was sooo pain intolerant, I thought I would just keel over - the needle stick sent me over the edge and the prep - after all of that surely made it much much worse. 

    I will get it scheduled after my scans on Monday and results on Wednesday...thanks!  With my scanxiety at its peak, probably not the best time for the prep either...lol

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  • lwd
    lwd Member Posts: 1,084
    edited November 2010

    Hi, LowR and Leah,

    Guess I'll be getting a colonoscopy after the first of the year.  It has been 10 years since my first (nothing was found), but my onc has reminded me.  I also wondered whether the PET would show anything.  But guess it does make sense that they can remove any polyps at the same time.  LowR, aren't we supposed to be getting free colonoscopies after Jan. 1 under Obamacare?  I thought so, under preventative medicine.  Although that seems a little unbelievable.

    My DH had a colonoscopy a couple months ago and said he thought the prep was easier this time.  They had him drinking Gatorade and he said he didn't feel as weak and hungry.

    Lane

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  • Lowrider54
    Lowrider54 Member Posts: 2,721
    edited November 2010

    Lane...I did the gatorade combo but the timing was just awful it was the Monday following the week from hell and the prep started the day after the bone biopsy and confirmation of mets - I was a mess. 

    I think it will go easier this time.  Hummm, I was going to wait until after the first of the year anyway...going to be curious at how that works.  Let ya know! 

    Low

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  • lwd
    lwd Member Posts: 1,084
    edited November 2010

    Lowrider,

    Will be thinking of you next week.  I'm SO hoping your scans show great news!

    I've decided about mid-Jan will be the best time (if there IS a best time) to schedule my colonoscopy.  I want at least 2 weeks after Christmas to not have to think about it, but I do want it over with early in the year.  We may be enduring the thing about the same time!  Two friends plus my dh said it really didn't seem too bad this time.  Plus, it'll most likely be my LAST one, so that's something to keep in mind, for better or worse.  Sick of my doctors asking if I'm up to date on that!

    Let us know how your scans go - wishing for the BEST POSSIBLE news for you prior to the holidays. 

    Lane 

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