An Open Letter and a Plea

[GregS]

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 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.

[davis911s]

Good news Greg and I am very happy for you. Its a few years for me but it sure makes one think.

Shawn

[pwd72s]

Thanks for the message Greg, I'm sure it came from the heart? Wanna know why the experience wasn't so bad? The drugs they give you. "Happy" drugs combined with one to help you forget all about it...How do I know? Not telling...

[emcon5]

Glad to hear you are OK. My Grandfather has had polyps removed 3 times, and his brother died of Colon cancer. Scary stuff.

I know with this histroy I am at risk. My doc says I don't need to worry about it for a few years (I am only 34).

Tom

[GregS]

Guys - thanks for the thoughts.

Paul - I remember that, during the last office visit prior to the procedure, a nurse told me that "we'll give you something, and you won't remember the procedure." I thought to myself "that doesn't even make sense." But as you pointed out, she was right!

[GIBSON]

Great timing Greg, I just left my physicians office, I'm turning 51 this year as well. He just told me about the CAT Colonography.
In the past, CAT scans have been non-diagnostic for colon problems but now they are getting great results. You still have to drink the stuff before hand but then it's just like any other CAT scan. Sounds good to me. It can't pick up the smallest polyps but is good for everything else. It's not for everyone, especially those in high risk groups. But for the rest of us, it's a good alternative.
Thanks for posting something so important, even though it's way off topic, there's nothing more important than your health.

Bruce

[URY914]

Do not wait until you are 40 if you have a family history of colon cancer. I was 35 when I had my first exam and if I had waited until 40 I'd be dead. They found a tumor! There is something called the "Lynch syndrome" which covers the gentic risk of colon cancer. You should be getting tested at 25! if you have a history. The latest infor can be found by doing a Yahoo search on "Lynch syndrome" or email me.

This is serious stuff.

[Z-man]

GregS:
Thanks for posting this here. I am glad you're ok, and that the polyp was removed before trouble.
My wife's grandpa died of colon cancer. It was terrible to see him wither away.
Though I am not looking forward to getting tested, I will make sure to get it done.

I appreciate your post.
-Zoltan.

[adrian jaye]

Hey yall,

wassup Z-man, back in da saddle mate

and ditto above comments just adding, peace out, repect is due and all thankxs to Jesus Christ for your recovery.

As for getting regular checks, I got no option anymore, having just been diagnosed as being type 1 diabetic (ie insulin dependant) about 4 weeks now (I'm 36). Ill be giving blood/urine and all forms of bodily fluids for the rest of my natural and on a fairly regular basis.

Kinda ironic that Im diabetic has I hate needles, evenb avioded going on holiday's were I needed immunization !

The Diabetes not is not too bad, the possible complications is the beeetch, blindness, stroke,heart attack, kidney/liver problems, thyroid (mine's also currently under active), penile eerectile deficiency syndrome and those are just the stuff I've found out about.

Though on the good side, cos I'm permantly being monitored anything should be picked up in time ! PLus I gotta start eating healtier, cutting out the booze, no sugar, lo salt, lo animal fat's

Mind you when I feel down (and I do form time to time) I get "16" out go for a cruise. Put the top down last weekend and pozed till closin and thanked God I was alive.

peace out all and when something bad happens to you remember 2 things

1) There's always someone worse off than yourself
2) No one knows the master plan and things "do" happen for a reason.

laters

Word up


Adrian

[Z-man]

Adrian,
I've been a type-one diabetic since 1981! Glad to hear that you have a good attitude about it. That and tight control make a world of a difference.

I monitor my sugars 4 to 7 times a day. The more you know where your blood sugars are, the better you can adjust your diet, excersise, medication...etc. After a while, all the testing/medicine becomes second nature. It's a part of my life, but for the most part, does not interfere with the normal day to day stuff...

As for slowing me down? Let's see: I've been to Africa twice on short term missions trips, Europe half a dozen times, went to college, got married, was an active snow-boarder, and currently, I like to play with my 944 on the track. I don't think it's slowed me down too much!

Hang in there man!
-Z.

[adrian jaye]

Hey Z !

[adrian jaye]

Hey Z !

Really, wow it is a small fraggin' world !

SO that's another thing we got in common,

peace it out bruv

Adrian

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[tabs52]

Let us not forget about Prostrate Cancer. The PSA test is a must starting in the 40's. Both my parents went down with Cancer. I have had the Colonoscopy..... the doctor even asked if I wanted to watch on the TV monitor. Drugs hell......I took it like a man. They got this great big black rope thing with a camera at the end and they........ well anyway I don't want to spoil the surprise for you all. But like the man said it wasn't that bad and it can save your life.

Also had the Berium enema twice. That was fun, the nurses aid inserts something and starts to fill the colon with the stuff. They take a pleminary x-ray. This Black woman X-ray nurse came in and I said, "Are you the nurse?" she replied, " Well I ain't your Aunt Jemina." She then said, "we can't do it today your still full of ****." I said, "whats new." So I had to reschedule that one.

When I went back I was also going to get my Kidneys checked. They give you a shot of I think Iodine which acts as a dye the X-rays can pick-up. So before they give me the shot they asked me to sign this release. I asked why? The attendent said, "in case you die during it". I said, " Now wait a minute...DDDDIE?" They said yeah about one or two percent of the people who take this test have problems, mostly older people. Being in my 30's at the time I said, "WHEW" and went ahead. I am happy to report that I didn't die during that test.