WANTED: A SHOULDER TO CRY ON~Scary News from the Doctor
#45793 - 02/19/04 06:00 PM
|
|
|
|
|
MissS
Reged: 02/11/04
Posts: 837
|
|
|
I went to the Dr. and ended up with Zelnorm and 3 medications for a severe sinus infection. I'm always fighting upper respiratory stuff. Anyway, I told the Dr. that I'm still experiencing C, after having D everyday of my life for 3 or 4 years. I reminded her that I've never been tested for anything, and was just always told that my symptoms were classic IBS, and sent on my way. (I didn't even know that testing is needed until I saw this site this month! Can you believe that? I thought the Drs. knew what they were talking about!) Anyway, this is only the second time I've seen this Dr., but she is taking me seriously and really wants to help. I didn't even have to repeat it; SHE GETS IT! She said that I need a colonoscopy to rule out cancer because I've had a sudden change in bowel movements, and I'm 49. (You can imagine my fear when she said that!) Yikes, that's not what I wanted to hear. Well, I'm waiting to be approved for insurance (crossing fingers), and she said they won't do it until I'm insured. So, I finally have a Dr. who understands and believes me and takes intestinal things SERIOUSLY; but I can't have the test that I've probably needed for years! Has anyone else out there ever heard that cancer word in connection with their symptoms? I'm usually a hypochondriac worrier anyway and I wasn't even thinking of that at all! She said she doesn't believe I'm in immediate danger (I asked her!)
But, what else was she going to say? I'm in my computer room trying to build my hope and outlook back up and crying quietly in the midst of it all. My husband is disabled and not very strong inside or out; and he can't stand it when I have a cold; let alone hearing that dreaded big C word! So, that's why I'm trying to keep it just between you and me! Any words of advice or support would be greatly appreciated! I sometimes lose my footing in life at times like this; and I really want to stay positive and focused.
Thanks, everyone, for listening.
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Hi TeeCee,
It is scary. Most of us had to have the colonoscopy to rule out cancer, so I wouldn't get too concerned over it. Worrying won't make it any better. I know, I know - easier said than done. But, the truth is that IBS can mimic many other things even besides cancer, so you have lots of stuff to rule out.
I don't know if that helped or not, but I do have my fingers crossed that your insurance gets approved and soon. The agony of waiting and the torture of your own imagination can be a scary thing. Once it is over, you will have peace of mind. 
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
TeeCee--How wonderful for you to have found a doctor who really cares. This is one bright point for you to focus on when everything seems so scary. Having a good doctor can make all the difference because no matter what the results, you will have good medical treatment.
I know how you feel because when I first started having symptoms the GI was worried because my cousin has ulcerative colitis and now cancer and he's only 30. This was after my GP told me I had celiac, so it was all quite a shock. Thankfully, I don't have either of these conditions and "only" IBS. But it is very nerve-wracking going through this all. Keep your chin up! I know it's hard, but you are doing the right thing by trying to keep a positive attitude. And don't forget to take some time for yourself everyday. This is so important for your mental well-being. Please keep posting and let us know how you are doing!
BIG HUG and lots of postive energy!
--------------------
--Julie
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Thank you for your help, Mags2003. You're so right about the agony of my imagination. I guess you're right, too, in that just because I'm 49 that doesn't mean it CAN'T be something else. Thank you so much for helping. And I'm going to hang on to the peace of mind thing, too. Thanks, Mags!
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
I really appreciate your kind words. I really do. I'm going to hang on to all the positive things you've said and refer back to this I need to. I have trouble taking time for myself. I don't even know what that would mean anymore. My husband has diabetic neuropathy in his legs and a myriad of many other things. He's very dependent on me, but I think you're absolutely right. I'll try to do something for me, too. Thanks so much for your help. It's really supportive to know that you all are out there and you really understand!
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
You're going to be okay. I am so glad that you found a doctor who will take your symptoms seriously and not just pass it off as IBS without proper testing. However, that being said, I agree with Mags....most of the people on here (not me yet) have had to undergo a colonoscopy to rule out cancer, but it is ROUTINE. And, from what it sounds like, your doctor knows her stuff, and won't BS you--if she says she thinks you are out of danger, you must be.  And, on the off-off-off-OFF chance you are not, then she'll make sure you do whatever it is possible immediately in order to get rid of whatever it is. I promise. You're lucky. From what I've seen on these boards, most of the doctors a lot of these girls have seen don't know jack-squat about IBS. We are all thinking of you and sending you hugs.
BTW--where in Kansas are you from? I am from Overland Park, a Kansas-side suburb of KCMO.
Jen.
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
I like how you shoot straight from the hip. I guess I am lucky to have finally found a doctor who will listen and believe me! And, you know what? You're right about how she'd do whatever possible to help me out, no matter what!
It's so easy to slip into a worry pattern over things like this, and I just don't want to this time. Thanks so much for your very helpful words. I truly appreciate it!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm from Augusta. That's about 15 or 20 miles east of Wichita. How long have you lived in Kansas? I know where Overland Park is. It's a pretty well known town, but I don't think I've been there, although I have been to Kansas City. Have you ever been down this way?
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Hey Tee,
You're okay -- this is standard operating procedure -- a colonoscopy -- it's no big deal. They have to rule out cancer; that's what they tell everyone, and in fact they tell you to get a colonoscopy EVERY FIVE YEARS for every person over 50 years old.
So you're a year early; so was I -- so was Ginny! I was told I needed a colonoscopy before I turned 50, but I put it off. My friend, Ginny, didn't wait -- she didn't have any symptoms at all, she just wanted a clean slate; she wanted to know that she was fine. And she'll have another in 5 years. It's just the wise thing to do -- you get a colonoscopy to make sure you don't have polyps.
My GI requested a colonoscopy for HIMSELF when he turned 50 because his father had polyps, but they didn't know it because he never had a colonoscopy -- and he died. I'm not trying to scare you, I'm trying to explain to you why they are so much more aware of colon cancer now -- with just a simple procedure they can find all the polyps and remove them. Did you know that Charles Schulz died of colon cancer? A simple colonoscopy when he turned 50 would have found it. What a waste.
It's a preventative procedure, and it's a very smart thing for all middle-age people to have done. A sigmoidoscopy isn't good enough because it doesn't go all the way up. Besides, you stay awake for a sigmoidoscopy -- EW -- whereas with a colonoscopy they knock you out. Yaay. And those drugs are MARVELOUS! Wow -- when I woke up, I hugged all the nurses and kissed my GI! EW EW EW EW EW EW
So go kiss that hubby of yours, fix yourself some peppermint tea, climb in bed, and pick up a trashy novel. Okay?
[Hugs]
Bev
--------------------
<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Well, you make a lot of sense, and who can argue with that?
Geesh, you make it sound so simple to figure out, but I feel like I'm just looking through a dark curtain or something.
I hadn't thought of it in that perspective before, but you're right; I need one done anyway!
Well, it feels good to know that I will be doing something good for myself.
I'm looking forward to the knock out drugs, too; I could use a little time away! haha! I hope I don't hug the nurses or kiss the dr. or anybody else for that matter. ha! You made me laugh when I read your advice about the trashy novel.  Thanks so much! You're a HUGE help! Sometimes, I just need a little help getting back on track.
I was shook up for awhile there and everything seemed dark.
Thanks for shedding some light on it for me!
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Here's a virtual shoulder to cry on and a virtual hug too!
I don't think anyone who hears the C word would be anything other than scared.
It does sound though that this Doctor is being cautious, covering all bases and ruling out anything more nasty than IBS. Not that IBS isn't nasty but you know what I mean.
Try to relax and take time for yourself as much as possible between now and then.
We will all be thinking of you and do let us know how you get on.
There's also lots of past threads on colonoscopies that you could read.
Kerrie
--------------------
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
I'll take your advice and look up colonoscopies. I haven't done that yet. Relaxing is hard for me to do, but I'll try. I'm one of those ole gals that's wound kinda tight. I'm always taking care of something, and it's usually not myself. Time to do that, though, I guess. Thanks for taking time to help me, KinOz, I honestly am very grateful for it!
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Well, I was in Wichita for a family reunion two years ago, does that count? I loved how CLEAN the city was....it had such a nice river area. I have lived in Overland Park my whole life, except for 6 years of it, when I lived in Des Moines, Iowa, when I attended Drake University..I lived there 4 years, got my BA, and then lived there two more years to work. But then I came back....jobs were better here, and my folks and grandparents were here, too.
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Well, it's nice to have you back in Kansas! And, I'm sure your family is very happy about it. I'd sure miss my daughter if she didn't live close to me. I love it here, we have such pretty sunsets on the prairie, don't we? I also look forward to our thunderstorms. My whole family just loves storms. Tornadoes are scary, but they're also exciting. Because of the IBS, I always have special things ready for emergencies. My husband has a flashlight and a radio and his meds, and I'm the one packing toilet paper and a big coffee can for the cellar. That's funny and horrible at the same time!! I guess it's kinda gross,too. Well, on that happy note, I guess I'll say good night.
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
Posts
