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I found myself in the waiting room prior to my colonoscopy remembering the picolax thread. I s****ed my way through a few pages before my name was called
Exactly a week before I posted my bowel screening sample. Over the weekend it had been tested and blood was evident. A nurse called me and said not to worry, it could be one of a number of things.
I’d been complaining of an abdominal pain for a couple of months. It wasn’t going away. I thought I could tough it out but common sense prevailed and I picked up a screening test kit from the health centre
Before the colonoscopy I was called from the hospital to explain the procedure and possible outcomes. I relaxed a little. Meantime, I’d also visited my GP who said it sounded like a classic case of diverticulitis. I’d wait for the test before that could be confirmed
The medication I was given to evacuate my bowel wasn’t picolax, but a foul tasting powder that needed diluting in 500ml of water. I couldn’t believe how much 500ml was. It was a two part process a few hours apart. I had a sleepless night
The colonoscopy was painless, I must have been sedated as remembered nothing of it
They found a single 50mm tumour which looked malignant. They took seven biopsies and sent them to the laboratory. I was given a CT scan. It showed the tumour but the dye didn’t show any spread to my lymph nodes.
A couple of days later I got a call to say the lab had found cancerous cells. By then I thought I couldn’t be shocked, but the word cancer is devastating
I’d just finished hand splitting a huge Ash stem on a searing afternoon, and asked myself, how can I possibly do what I’m doing and have bowel cancer?
A day or two later my surgeon asked if I could come in for a chat. I was in town and could look in immediately. He asked if I’d prefer to have someone accompany me. Fearing the worst I said I thought I could cope alone
He was excellent, talked me through the procedure, outlined the risks and rewards. He was confident I shouldn’t need chemotherapy nor a stoma, but only the tumour pathology could determine the next step. I felt reassured
I was scheduled a series of pre op appointments to ascertain my fitness for surgery. I passed all the tests easily. I have no vices, excepting bench vices. I’ve never smoked and don’t drink. Blood pressure was perfect and my resting heart rate was 52 bpm. Not bad for 62 just having been diagnosed with cancer.
So I’m scheduled for surgery on August the 5th. The surgeon said I’d be kept in an ICU overnight but could be discharged within two or three days carrying my belongings. That remains to be seen
I’m a grafter with a positive attitude. The surgeon said that both could be as effective in a study as chemotherapy post surgery.
I asked how long the tumour could have been growing for. He said it could have been over years between screening tests, but it could have been benign until recently and never have shown up.
I suppose sharing the above is to say please don’t shy away from routine bowel screening. The treatment I’ve received within the NHS has been quick and reassuring. I’m terrified of hospitals, but then that‘s a consequence of frequent visits to A&E with self inflicted wounds. I’ve never had a day’s real illness in my life, so I can count myself lucky.
Dammit. Big hug McM, keep that positive attitude.
**** cancer
Sorry to read this.
😞
Good luck with the surgery and any ongoing treatment.
So glad you went to the docs and it's been diagnosed. Best of luck for your treatment, it does sound as if your surgeon is optimistic and that the outcomes could be very positive. Your attitude and fitness will very definitely help. I've just done my 2 yearly bowel cancer screening and I've had a colonoscopy in the past. I'm 62 too and a prostate cancer survivor. At this age we are in, as I'm sure you know "sniper alley"! Keep dodging those bullets!
**** cancer indeed.
It's good to talk....but we need a pic of the Ash pile;)
All the best.
Good luck with everything.
Admirable approach to this which will help others
**** cancer.
An admirable approach to dealing with it, the thread title alone, 👌.
i wish you a full and speedy recovery mcmoonter and anyone else who is going through similar whatever it may be.
and f%$k cancer obviously
Sorry to hear about that, try and keep that positive attitude, it's worth a lot.
Wishing you an optimistic outcome.
And **** cancer indeed 👿
Good luck! My dad had a chunk of colon removed before he was 50, and he's 93 now.
Sorry to hear the news, great to hear your positive attitude.
Did my shit on a stick test last year, came back clear. On meds for prostate issues and get checked to make sure that isn't changing, but please guys, don't be shy - seek advice if something doesn't seem right or just changes, and take any tests they offer.
Just did my Shit on a Stick.
Got called back... went through the above.
Using PLENVU. It defo works .
I got the OK on this occasion.
and best of luck to you McMoonter.
On another note: to all you guys out there,
Get your Ass to Mars, and get checked. Its not as bad as it seems, even if your called back.
**** cancer.
Good to hear you are managing to be positive.
And indeed I got my shitty sample pot in the post this week...
Good post OP.
Timely reminder for all, especially for me as another 62yr old with a resting heart rate of 50bpm.
Love seeing you stuff in Instagram & boring my friends and relatives with it (call that a log pile, look at these) & long may that continue.
Good luck! Hope it goes brilliantly
Cancer can get in the sea
Plenvu is like the new name for solvite wallpaper paste but think mango n salty flavoured paste took me 45 mins to swallow the pint with ice cubes
Same again a pint of gloop for breakfast and totally cleaned out
The day before procedure and the 24 hrs fasting is the tough bit , the camera down the throat is much tougher, 9 mins for me and a 9 out of 10 for discomfort. Same department just hope they clean the camera
Tough to read what your saying but you're in good hands , mine was at the Vic probably the same hospital last Saturday with the endoscopy in June
I felt the nursing staff were amazing, I had to apologise for the swearing after the tube was removed out my throat
Might try sedation next time
All the best and **** cancer.
Sorry to hear your news, glad to see your positivity.👍
As a connoisseur of bowel preparations (colitis) bring back picolax I say, this new Plenvu stuff is indeed vile and hard to swallow.
don’t shy away from these checks fellas.
A good reminder. I have a lot waiting for when i get back from this trip.
All the best for a speedy recovery
Funnily enough, the thought "whatever happened to mcmoonter?" jumped into my head when I was idly browsing the forum the other day.
Wishing you all the best.
Long time since on here. My son 36 going through this. Issues since February. Confirmed tumour similar size to op. Had it removed two weeks ago, started with keyhole ended up being opened and a large orange sized tumour removed. Still waiting for test results, everything crossed and hoping. Two of his sister’s friends with the same. Both in their 30s . Good luck OP
Great that the operation is going to happen so quickly.
Chin up and thank goodness you are fit for your age. There are millions out there who aren't.
All the best for your treatment Mcmoonter, and to anyone else going through similar.
All the best McM. At 65 I have submitted a few of the stick tests, all clear so far.
I did have camera up me for another issue years ago. Luckily all clear. The pre op drink was not pleasant or the effects of it but needs must.
My fingers are crossed for you.
All the best for a quick recovery from your upcoming surgery @mcmoonter and 🤞🏻 for a neat and tidy pathology report and follow up too.
thanks for sharing your experience.
Been there....almost exactly the same situation and age. I got the most worried when the nurse put a sharpie mark on my stomach where the stoma would be if needed.... And it was the first thing I asked about when I woke up (I didn't have one).
I'm 18 months post surgery now and annual follow up colonoscopy was clear.
My top tip....get some sudocream because you'll be on the bog an awful lot post surgery (many many times a day for a couple of weeks) .....took 6 weeks my my bowel movements to return to normal 😱
Good luck
Oh and it was a very long 2 to 3 weeks post surgery waiting for the pathology report (thankfully mine was all clear)
I feel like the 'I don't have any vices, except for bench vices' isn't getting the credit it deserves!
Good work McM, cancer does stand a chance!
Thanks to you all for your shared experiences and positivity.
I attended a pre habilitation workshop at the Maggie’s Centre. I was relieved to hear that pretty much everything they recommended pre surgery, I’ve been doing all my life. Exercise, diet, mental resourcefulness and awareness. I had to laugh and ask if I’d gone on a lifelong bender would my diagnosis have been the same?
Cycling played a huge part in my recovery from prolapsed discs from what I’d feared would be paralysis to being able to tour across America. I’m certain it’ll be a part of my recovery strategy for cancer
Thanks again folks
Good luck!
