An Open Letter and a Plea

GregS · 03-18-2002, 05:54 PM

I also posted this on the 911 Board

I've been a bit hesitant to post this, but I got to thinking that if it helps one other person it's worth it. Besides, at some level and at some time it'll affect anybody who drives a P-car so it's not totally off-topic. Here goes.

I'll be turning 51 here very shortly, and have been avoiding going in for a colonoscopy. The recommendation now is that you go in for a baseline procedure at age 50. My wife, my folks, and my primary care doc finally prevailed and, a little over a week ago, I had it done. The good news: I finally went in. The bad news: the doctor found a polyp. The other good news: he removed it right then. After waiting around for one of the worst weeks of my life, the other good news: it was pre-malignant and we got it in time.

I'm not much of a preacher, but I can tell you that I am now the poster child for this procedure. I'll spare you the details, but the preparation is much worse than the actual procedure. If you want any kind of specifics, e-mail me off the board and I'll be happy to answer any questions I can. The doctor was saying that, a while back, the national recommendation, in terms of the age that the baseline study should be done, changed from 55 to 50. They now figure that only 25% of the population who should be getting this done, is actually doing it.

So, please, if you are in the targeted portion of the population, GET IT DONE. When caught early, it is highly - like over 90% - treatable. And, as it has been for me, if detected early enough, it can be removed before it is malignant. There's somebody out there for every one of us, as well as all of us here on the board, who would rather have you around.

'Nuff said.

Rouser · Rouser's Garage

Glad things turned out in your favor; it's true that there are individuals out there who haven't faired as well.

I've got 5 years before having to deal with that exam. At the moment it's mostly periodic prostate checks (initiate by Mrs. Yougonnabehealthy). The last time, I can SWEAR I tasted surgical glove ...

WOODPIE · 03-18-2002, 07:32 PM

GregS

So, before this gets moved to another board, thanks for the word of advice. How much was this peace of mind worth to you? What I mean to say is, how much did this procedure cost you out of pocket?

Ed

GregS · 03-18-2002, 07:35 PM

Rouser - been there, done that. Latex has a flavor all it's own!

GregS · 03-18-2002, 07:46 PM

Ed, sorry, I was replying to Rouser's post. Your question, and my answer to his post, crossed in cyber-hell somewhere. At this point, all of the bills aren't in. I'm very fortunate in that my wife and I currently work for the same company. She and I each have our own health insurance. In addition, I am a dependent on her policy, and she is a dependent on mine. Based on that, I don't anticipate that our out-of-pocket expense will be much, if anything, at all (likely less than $100 total). If you are interested, shoot me an e-mail in a few weeks and I can at least give you the ballpark number then. BTW, I posted this on the 911 board, and - you guessed it - it's been moved already! Greg.

URY914 · URY914's Garage

If you have a family history get an exam NOW!!! I went for my first exam when Iwas 35 and they found a tumor. If I had waited until I was 40 I won't be here now. My 20" scar is a reminder of the fun it was. There are several web site which provide infromation (do a Yahoo search). If anyone needs more info email me or reply to me.

It is like rust in a 914- early detection is the cure.

4WheelDrifter · 03-19-2002, 02:54 PM

Ury,

Though I'm a long way (17 years) from getting that test I see your point. Skin cancer as well as others are in my family's history. A few years ago a small lump (thoght it was a scar) on the back of my leg that I had since I was a kid suddenly turned color. It didn't take me long to get off my butt and get it tested. Got good news but and interesting 2 days waiting for the results. I'm sure when I'm older it won't be a much of problem getting me in there for testing. Cancer is nasty stuff, don't play games with it. Good to see you are OK.

JP Noonan · 03-19-2002, 05:41 PM

Had a "sigmodscapy" (sp) which goes a little "deeper" shall we say. Was 25 and all was normal, but my dad died in 81 at 52 years, from colon cancer, grandfathers on both sides had prostrate c, mom cervical, sis with ovarian. all ecept my dad turned out OK because of early detection. He went in every year for a physical but the docs kept missing it. Thnigs have changed over the years.

Free advice: When you go in for the procedure don't "assume" the pre-op and the proceedure are done in the same room. I wore my Harley boots that day and had to walk with the boots on and a backless robe across Cleveland Clinic.

I am not a proud man "butt" that can humble the best of us.

Can't wait until they have that new camera pill I saw on Disc TV. You just swallow it and it gets the whole GI track.

I hope there isn't a deposit on the camera though.......

unclerichy · 03-19-2002, 08:31 PM

Actually, a sigmoidoscopy looks at only the lower colon whereas a colonoscopy examines the entire colon. Neither procedure is a walk in the park but should not be a major source of any pain.

Rich