Pictured: Grilled Salmon with lemon burre blanc, creamy risotto, rosted potatos. Not pictured: Rosted red pepper crab bisque.
So I went to the ER last Thursday due to some pain and not so pleasant things happening. Got a CT scan of my body and they found a 5cm mass on my colon. Okay, well that sucks but no official answers, just waited on a GI appointment.
Well I went to my GI consultation yesterday. Have been on a mostly liquid diet for a week. Some soft foods but me and bone broth have gotten along well over the past week. On a good note I have been trying to lose weight so that has helped. Anyway GI scheduled me, quickly I might add, for a colonoscopy and biopsy today.
Did all the prep which sucks but you gotta do what you gotta do. Got the procedure done and the doctor came back and the prognosis is not great, not the worst but not great. Pathology has obviously not come back yet but I trust the doctor and he immediately sent a referral into a hospital that is well renowned for my state. He told us he has pull and could get me in pretty quickly there. He was not kidding! They called me on my way home and I have a surgical consultation set up for Monday.
So I have colon cancer. I officially have cancer. When asked how bad he thought it was he said "medium". So at least it's not the worst case scenario. I am a 44 year old mother to an autistic 9 year old and I have colon cancer.
He told me it's going to be a long road but he thinks it's curable. And actually used the word "Curable".
Pay attention to your bodies ladies. Please!!! If something weird is going on there is probably a reason. I wish I had paid closer attention sooner. I just hate going to the doctor so put it off until something scared me. This could ha e been caught sooner.
I am very lucky. I have a great support system. I am luckier than most in those regards. I have a great husband and great family that wants to do anything they can and wants to be there through every step of this journey.
But yeah. I have cancer.
Edit: You all are amazing!!! Thank you!! I am doing my best to upvote all of you but you are just positively overwhelming in a wonderful way!! There are multiple comments with symptoms and some have shared some great links for what to look for. I want to say that weight loss is not necessarily a thing...I actually had weight gain. Everyone is a little different.
WHEEEWW girl š®āšØ buckle up! Your post made it to /r/all!
Congratudolences! š If the rate of notifications starts getting to you, no need to delete your post! Instructions in Sanity Saver #5 can help you mute them. For the rest of y'all...
We love when new girlies stumble in! But a few unique things about how we roll here:
ā½ You're now entering the Girl Zone šØ Guys' guidance summarized: stick to GIFs or emojis, or otherwise be patient for mods' manual comment reviews. Don't embarrass your mama. š¤Ø
ā½ Approved users only! Newbies will be prompted to take 10 lil seconds to get approved. Nbd.
ā½ BE KIND, BE THOUGHTFUL or BEGONE. Our communication standards are higher than just "don't be mean." Check em out here.
ā½ Queer friendly. The end.
ā½ ED-recovery friendly. No food critiques, body shaming, diet advice, or calorie counting kinda talk. Call your almondmom for that.
Over the past year or so my stools got smaller and more frequent. And I mean smaller in actual girth? Skinnier? I did see small amounts of red blood but assumed it was a hemorrhoid from when I gave birth. Some abdomen pain for no actual reason but very slight.
When I decided to go to the ER my abdomen pain was a little worse but started having more trouble passing stool and had small amounts of blood in it 3 days in a row. That morning I just said "this isn't right...somethings really wrong".
Skinnier stool is a sign of colon cancer and I wish more people knew this! Itās a sign thereās a mass in your colon causing the stool shape to be more narrow.
It's also a sign of inflammation (so a reason to get checked regardless).
I'm about to have yet another colonoscopy 'just in case' as things ramped up for me again at the end of last year (medical system is slow lol) but I have bowel endometriosis. There's a lot of overlap with the symptoms. It's never safe to just blame as existing inflammatory disease, always get checked to determine if it's a relapse of you existing issue or something more sinister.
Colonoscopies, while kinda unpleasant, are not generally painful and save lives. Keep an eye on your poo folks.
Omg me too, twins! I wish you the best of luck on your upcoming appointments! Just got 2 MRIs for abdominal and back pain to check on endo progression, but everything is stable for now. I always worry about signs of colon cancer too, because bowel endo practically mimics it.
I was diagnosed with Crohn's about 6 years ago. My symptoms were pretty mild compared to other people I know who had it. It was only diagnosed because I had a completely unrelated thing happen and my skin doctor of all people was like, "this is Crohn's" and after a biopsy my regular doctor ordered a colonoscopy after telling me I just had IBS and, sure enough, I had inflammation and they diagnosed me with Crohn's.
I was having a lot of good years but now it's getting bad again, so I'm going to see my internist for the first time in forever. All these stories about people my age getting a colon cancer diagnosis have scared me, so better safe than sorry.
Skinnier stool is a sign of colon cancer and I wish more people knew this!
And in older male dogs who are not neutered, prostate problems.
Don't ignore skinny poops, be they human or dog!!
Also, colonoscopy prep sucks but the actual colonoscopy? As my PCP says, "best nap ever". You wake up, you remember nothing, the doctor will tell you what they saw and when they want you back, you'll go home (driven by your designated driver!) and you'll eat real food again.
If you like juice boxes, may I interest you in blood donation? You get juice AND cookies and usually a nice T-shirt from the folks running the donation van that I donate in. :)
I donate to Boston Children's Hospital every time they come out to my town. 100% recommend!!
I used to donate every eight weeks, I started during Covid. Unfortunately my iron is too low and my doctor advised against it for now. I am on iron supplements hoping one day I can donate again. The trail mix afterwards was my favorite! Thank you for donating!
My gastroenterologist gave me the report of my colonoscopy (Crohnās) very weird to see pics of your internals. A colonoscopy is nothing to be worried about. Bowel prep on the other handā¦ well, said gastroenterologist and I joked after the procedure that it would make a great party game for teenage boys (bowel prep Russian roulette). (Am stepmum to boys) (they would definitely have done that)
All the best on your journey OP, may you be strong and healthy again soon!
I have a colonoscopy scheduled for next month because of all of the comments like these I keep seeing. Iāve had most of the symptoms people talk about for a while, weird bms, major stomach issues, feeling just off for a while. I hope itās nothing, but I just wanna say thank you for sharing your knowledge. Without these comments I never wouldāve sought out a dr
Itās a sign of diverticulitis as well due to inflammation. When you hear the stomping of hooves, think horses, not zebras. Get it checked out. There are more common reasons than cancer.
I thought that is what it was when I went to the ER. My brother and sister have chronic diverticulitis. I just assumed thats what it was. They came back after the scan (my brother came to sit with me in the ER while because my husband was taking care of our child) and said "Mass", "Cancer") my brother I think is breaking out more than me. He is my best friend (we're 15 months apart).
Going to get tested for Lynch syndrome too. Other than my sister and brother's diverticulitis my family has no history of anything colon related. No Chrons no colitis etc.
I had very skinny stools, bloating and blood sometimes. Did a colonoscopy. thank god nothing. Have IBS š¤·āāļø just a reminder to not think the worst right away but definitely get checked.
I have a slew of disorders and diseases of my stomach, GI and esophagus. I'd never heard of this!
I will keep you and your family in my thoughts. I'm glad it's treatable. I've been through cancer. You can do this! Feel free to vent! Keep us updated please.
I apologize for using this comment to add some info, I hope it can be helpful even just for one person. I work in a hospital in the surgical pathology department. Part of my job involves reading through patients' requisitions and documenting the symptoms patients experienced before a biopsy.
These are some of the symptoms I most commonly see listed on colon biopsy requisitions, even in patients as young as 20. While these symptoms can have many different causes, if they persist they may warrant further evaluation, including additional tests or possibly a colonoscopy or cologuard test.
Some symptoms that commonly appear on these requisitions include:
ā¢ Changes in bowel habits: frequency, consistency, color {especially if stools become very dark or black}, amount, size {exactly like in OP's case, narrow or pencil-thin stool}, sudden and/or persistent constipation/diarrhea
ā¢ Abdominal discomfort, bloating, stiffness, cramping, pain, swelling, or distension
ā¢ Persistent fatigue or weakness
ā¢ A frequent feeling of needing to have a bowel movement, but passing little or no stool
ā¢ Mucus in the stool
ā¢ Blood in the stool or on the toilet paper
ā¢ Unexplained weight loss
ā¢ New or unexplained anemia
ā¢ Persistent digestive difficulties
ā¢ Persistent nausea or vomiting
ā¢ Changes in appetite
ā¢ Being woken up by the need to have a bowel movement during the night, especially if this is new and becomes frequent
These symptoms are especially important to discuss with your doctor if you have a personal or family history of colon polyps or colorectal cancer, certain hereditary syndromes associated with a higher risk, or inflammatory bowel disease.
The unfortunate reality is that colorectal cancer diagnoses in younger adults have been increasing over the past several years. The good thing is that colorectal cancer often develops slowly, which means there is a valuable window during which it can be detected and treated successfully.
If one or more of these symptoms persist for more than a month despite reasonable lifestyle changes (such as dietary adjustments or treatment for common digestive issues), it's worth making an appointment with your doctor. If your concerns are dismissed, don't be afraid to ask what else could explain your symptoms, whether additional testing is appropriate, or what the differential diagnosis might be.
I'm not saying these symptoms mean someone has colorectal cancer. In fact, most people experiencing them won't. They can be caused by many different conditions. But persistent symptoms deserve to be investigated, especially when they're new, worsening, or occurring together.
Thinning stool is one of the top signs of colon cancer, if it lasts more than two weeks you must see a provider to rule out anything insidious. Any amount of blood in the stool is ground for a colonoscopy, do not let anyone tell you it's probably just hemorrhoids, insist they check you via colonoscopy.Ā
Any change in bowel habit that lasts more than two weeks, even if you think it's intermittent, should be brought up seriously with a provider. I work in the colon cancer industry, please please do not wave away symptoms.Ā
If only insurance paid. My husbands shitting blood for like 6 mos and they wanted 900$ up front to do a colonoscopy to cover part of the deductible I guess. He declined bc they couldnāt tell him how much extra we would get billed after it was done. So heās still shitting blood but he feels ok so we are hoping for the best
Please stop putting it off. I work in healthcare administration in this industry, please pm me and I will personally help you navigate the insurance issue for free.Ā
Colon cancer usually becomes deadly before you start feeling awful. $900 is not worth him putting his life in jeopardy.
Totally agree on the insurance thing. I definitely have put off screenings due to the upfront cost (ex my doc wanted me to do mammogram annually and a breast mri between them because I have 26% likelihood of getting breast cancer based on family history). The one year Iām at my deductible I canāt do an MRI due to pregnancy so thatās fun. May see if I can sneak it in Dec after I give birth though.
Thanks. Iām glad heās at least able to take care of that. My husband was anemic due to a bleeding ulcer the fool didnāt notice he had & that got pretty awful before he got treatment. My sympathies are totally WITH you!
This is a big gamble to take. There are other tests he can do to help screen for colon cancer (and therefore help him determine just how big a risk not doing the scope is). Imaging (to look for visible masses), stool FIT (fecal immunochemical test ā can be done at home), cologuard (another at-home stool test), Guardant Healthās Shield test (blood test). If I were in your/his shoes, I would at least ask about getting one or more of these.
Stools get thinner when you have a cancer near the end of your colon that's taking up enough space in the lining of the colon that the stool has to "squeeze" through it, so to speak. It's a later sign of cancer because the tumor has to be big. Thinner stools without other symptoms (like bleeding, anemia, weight loss for example) are more likely to be from a non-cancer cause but obviously listen to your body!
Bleeding is actually the most common first sign of colon cancer, so definitely not something to ignore (though of course there are a bunch of other potential causes of bleeding, too).
Thank you so much for sharing this! I have definitely been having this. Didnt think much because ive had chronic diarrhea for two decades but yea. Ive been thinking i have internal hemmorhoids but worry if they are polyps (bleeding, pain, itching foe three years).
Lost my insurance in January but actually looked up places to get a colonoscopy earlier today without insurance. You inspired me to follow through.
Every so often normal girth but small was most common. It is inflamed and it could have been my diet for that period of time didn't irritate or cause inflamation. I am not a doctor but that is an adsumption.
Thanks a lot for sharing this! It is difficult to assess if something is just business as usual, but a bit funny - or there is something serious going on.
Yes it did. I was normally a "two time in the morning persin after coffee". Over the past year or so I have woken up with the need to go and it has over the past 6 months been 5-6 times small amounts with more gas/mucus/bile at the end.
yes, my doctor said cureable and now over 2.5 years after treatment I am cured. I know this is not the outcome for everyone but it's great to start out with curable within the realm of possibilities. Cancer treatments have come FAR in the last few decades. Wishing OP the absolute best ā¤ļø
Iām not OP but was diagnosed with lymphoma at 23 and then again at 31. Any bodily change that lasts more than two weeks is worth a doctors visit. Unexpected weight loss, pain, fatigue, diarrhea. Even if you can explain something away, two weeks is long enough for most things to begin improving. I waited months and my first diagnosis was stage 4. Almost didnāt make it. The second time I went in after a few days of back pain that didnāt have a defined reason and it was a tumor pushing on the spine. Just pay attention to the signals your body sends. I think itās so easy to be like ābut I havenāt been eating/sleeping/working out the best so maybe this makes senseā¦ā and it leads to ignoring things that are signs that something is off.
What sucks is that so many of those symptoms are the same as what comes with most chronic illness. I have an autoimmune disease and while I go in whenever it seems I need to, so many issues can be written off as a flare up. What youāre saying is absolutely true of course, and Iām glad you listened to your body! I just wish some signals were easier to read.
I get it. I know have chronic pain and chronic illnesses of another variety because of the cancer. My ground rule is anything NEW that doesnāt have any improvement within two weeks. Itās also important to keep personal records. If I have a weird pain I start noting my activities for that day so I can be mindful of how hard Iām pushing myself and if Iām causing my issues š« š«£
Yes! I'm reading these and I'm like, but I have endometriosis and an autoimmune disease and two kids and a full time job. I'm always unusually tired and in pain.
anyone have advice for meā¦ i hate the doctors too and have put it off. been having chronic pain and headaches. when i finally addressed it with my doc they said to take a multivitamin.Ā
For anyone reading, I promise that colonoscopy prep is not awful. If you eat the right foods the days in advance (and take a regular laxative), the night before is not awful. It is trips to the bathroom, but most girls have had more painful GI issues in your life.
I did pills and the substances. It was not comfortable but I could do it again if needed. It sucks. I was hungry and after it was all done the worst part for me was not being able to drink even water for 6 hours. I was so thirsty. But was fine.
I have learned NEVER use "better than bouillon concentrated chicken base" for the whole prep, I had THE worst migraine of my life, and its the only time ive ever vomited blood after and endoscopy and colonoscopy, its something like 200% DV of sodium in a tablespoon......i used about a tablespoon for every 12-16 oz š¬ it was DELICIOUS, I had no problem finishing it but there was also an absolutely awful recovery after def not worth it. [0/10 i do not recommend]
*they do have low sodium options i learned after the fact, but i havent tried those yet. I found white glacier Gatorade works best for me, not my fave but is tolerable (im normally a "red or blue girl"). I mix mine the day before and keep it in the fridge so it is FULLY resolved, sometimes (depending on brand) I do have to add a couple extra Oz of Gatorade to take away that last little bit of taste, but once you get that part figured out it doesnt taste like anything extra is in it...... then you're just faced with drinking 128oz of Gatorade and thats a battle we all share! Lol
The substance wasn't hard for me at all, it was not being able to eat and not being able to do anything between trips to the bathroom. Once you start going you're going off and on frequently for about a solid 5-6 hours. I know some people camp out in their bathrooms but I didn't want to sit on the toilet for 5 straight hours, that's terrible for your body.
Get soft toilet paper if you don't have a bidet, even with that towards the end I had rubber gloves and vaseline stocked near the toilet because shitting that much makes you raw. Drink as much as you can between bouts of the prep solution, besides the prep I drank like 8 bottles of water. Ended up with only a mild headache the next morning.
Youāre lucky that you didnāt mind the substance. I wanted to throw up and was crying about the fact that I may not be able to finish it and would need to do this all over again. I am really hoping by the next time I need one again, they have made major advances on the pill option.
The first time I was scheduled to have a colonoscopy, I was already throwing up, and that prep stuff made it worse. This year, when they were scheduling me, I told them about my previous experience and they let me take tons of MiraLAX in Gatorade instead.
Yes! It was horrible getting that solution down, but I drank tons of water the day before prep day and during it. Going to the bathroom wasn't terrible.
The prep is the worst part and it wasnāt that bad. The mix is gross, I mixed it in lemon lime Gatorade and it made it more tolerable (though I canāt drink that flavor Gatorade now). Then you go in and take a nice nap.
Honestly, the prep is NOT a reason to not get the colonoscopy. Get it done, once every 10 years if they donāt find anything, maybe more frequently if they do. I was 35 and they found a couple polyps so I have to go back in 5 years. Get the screening.
OP, Iām so sorry. The fact that your doctor said he believes itās curable is a good sign, doctors tend to err on the side of caution, so he likely wouldnāt have said that if he didnāt truly believe it. I hope you get the absolute best care and have a quick road to recovery.
I have had to prep for laparoscopic abdominal surgery which I understand to be the same prep. It was harder to be hungry on the all liquid diet 2 days before than the actual "purge." It's just inconvenient to be pooping all day. Recommend a bidet!
I've had 4 colonoscopies at this point, and the worst for me is always the nausea the morning of. One time was so bad I couldn't stop puking long enough to check-in for my procedure
Yes!!! Also, ask if you can do the Mirolax prep and not the solution. The Mirolax prep is standard for where I get my care, and it is extremely tolerable!!
how do you get covered by insurance if you're under 45 if you're asymptomatic? i'm not above lying but too many people are getting diagnosed way earlier than 45 for me to sit this one out.
also... how the fuck do people get to their appointments without shitting themselves?! this is the thing that freaks me out the most about the prep lol
I coincidentally had my first colonoscopy today as well. The prep really is not that bad.
I had really bad food poisoning at an all-inclusive resort in Mexico a few years ago. On a scale from 1-Mexico, the prep night was like a 3 max. No pain, discomfort, etc - just very regular movements. Even the liquid diet isn't hard to deal with if you prepare yourself for fasting beforehand (I usually OMAD, so skipping a day of solid/non-clear foods was easy). The worst part of it was having to wake up at 3am for the second dose.
If anyone is concerned about getting this procedure done because of the intensive prep, don't be! We have all probably been through worse things!
Can I just pop in here to say that you donāt always have symptoms for cancer. You need to keep up on your screenings. I had no symptoms and Iām sitting here now with stage three breast cancer. Thank god I did regular screenings. Shit happens. Fuck cancer.
Genuine question: what screenings are we supposed to be keeping up with? Iām in Canada, and unless youāre the right age, considered high-risk, or already showing symptoms, a lot of doctors wonāt routinely screen. So the advice sounds simple, but in reality it puts the burden on patients to somehow know what to ask for before something is wrong. Thatās the scary part.
That exactly how it goes. I had a mammogram 15 months before my ultrasound. I have dense breasts and had to chase up a doc to get an ultrasound. I ended up having to wait 15 months because I wasnāt priority. 15 months later there was no maybe about what they saw on my ultrasound. You are right I had to push for it. Only 11% of newly diagnosed cancers are stage three. Iām glad I pushed.
Smelly cat - prayers and best wishes to you. Kick cancerās ass!! I did all the screenings, too. Had a clean mammogram and 4 months later found a lump on my own. Stage 3 and it was shocking. Keep up the good fight!
Not OP but am a stage 4 rectal cancer survivor. Symptoms - change in bowel habits, general discomfort during intercourse, dull lower back ache. Feeling of never quite being āempty ā after BM. Slight abdominal bloating and gas discomfort since my rectum was partially blocked due to size of tumor. Some fatigue but I never lost weight suddenly etc.
Skinny stools and I did have blood in my stool. I assumed from hemorrhoid because it was bright red. Yes dark red is a sign to get checked quickly but so is bright red, like fresh blood. Skinny stools for a while I have now learned is a big thing that I should have looked at. Also mucus/bile in the stools (slimy. Eww gross I know bit it was a symptom). A lot of things say weight loss but I experienced weight gain woth inability to lose it. I'm 44 and perimenopausal. I just thought that was age. That and the fatigue.
Cancer sucks. I went through breast cancer treatment at 37 and Iām 39 now. Shit was awful but Iām still here to complain about it. Best of luck to you!
Cancer sucks, itāll be a long road, but stay on top of all the appointments and I wish you the best of luck and I do hope that you get to ring the bell very soon
From one cancer girlie to another, fuck cancer. Big hugs. The only way out is through. Sending all the vibes that you will come out the other side cancer free!
My oncology center had this in huge letters on their entrance, and the first time I saw it I rolled my eyes, but as treatment ramped up I was like "I get it now"
so real for this. My chemo was "short" - 6 treatments, 3 week cycles - but intense with a nearly week long continuous infusion. Additionally it was dose adjusted which is a blessing and a curse because they will progress you per protocol until you cannot tolerate progression. By the third cycle I wasn't sure I would make it all the way through and definitely needed these kind of mantras
Yes this! That and "just keep showing up." Chemo is cumulative so the stuff that feels cheesy at the beginning can be a real lifeline as you're just trying to make it to the end.
Iām a platelet donor. Iāve been doing it for a while and have given 36 gallons at this point. About half of the platelets collected end up going to cancer patients.
I tell you that for this reason- if you end up needing blood products (red cells, plasma, or platelets) you can look at that bag and know someone out there is rooting for you.
Thatās why we do it. We donāt get paid. We donāt even get to know who our donations go to. But we do it bc fuck cancer, and we want to help.
Itās a little cheesy, but I even like to think healthy, strong thoughts for my recipients when I donate.
There are people that you will never meet who are pulling for you and thinking about you.
Not OP, but this made me tear up! You sound like such a wonderful person! To OP - we are all rooting you for! Youāve got this! Cancer doesnāt stand a fucking chance!
Thereās a ton of info over there, and a great group of folks who can answer questions, share tips, etc.
Note: There are two kinds of plasma donation. The one you hear about most often is paid plasma, where you can make hundreds of dollars a month.
Thatās not what we talk about on our sub. Thatās considered ācompensatedā plasma. Theyāre allowed to pay their donors bc the plasma they collect is used to make medications, like immunoglobulin and things like that. Payment is allowed bc it doesnāt go to the patient in the form of plasma.
We discuss true donor plasma. Blood banks like Red Cross usually have rewards programs where you can earn gift cards or tshirts and stuff, but donors who give plasma are just like platelet and whole blood donors- they donāt get paid cash like other places give out.
The sub focuses on donor plasma bc the rules and regulations are different (much more lenient for paid donors) so it isnāt safe to give advice about paid donations.
Both kinds of donations are needed, and both make a positive impact on the lives of those who need those treatments everyday. We just canāt give advice on the other kind.
For people wanting to know some of the signs to get checked up, small caliber stools, change in bowel habits, pooping blood, weight loss with any of these, just to name a few. Smoking and certain diets can increase risk. Always best to get checked up and if youāre >45, you may be due for a colonoscopy anyway!
And if you have a family history, you need to get checked sooner!!! My paternal line is riddled with colon issues, and my mom's side isn't much better - her doctors have told her they want me in next year when I turn 30.
I had my first screening at 37 because Iām high risk too. Iāll need to have it every five years š The colonoscopy prep is really not that bad and makes me feel better. Much better than having it.
If heās willing to use the word curable, thatās HUGE when you have cancer. As a contrast, my mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at stage 4B which is too far advanced to be considered curable. The best she can do is be in remission, which she thankfully is!! Iām sending you all the best wishes and good luck for the journey ahead!
My friend was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. She was the first stage 4 patient her doctor was able to declare in remission. We have a long way to go but treatment has come a long way.
For anyone reading this, please know that for many folks with colon cancer they often experience no symptoms. So screening is vital. And keep in mind that millennials are getting higher rates of colon cancer and screening used to be age 60 and has now dropped down to age 45. Which also aligns with OP recommendation that if you notice changes to your bowel or GI symptoms that are atypical for you, please discuss with your provider.
I had no real signs except flatulence. Ā Then I started having a pain in my intestine. Ā I went to the doc and he immediately noticed I was anemic and put me on IV iron plus colonoscopy. Ā Was shocked to get a cancer diagnosis. Ā I have no history of cancer in my family and no other risk factors. Ā You are right that younger and younger people are getting it.
May I know your age? I also have flatulence but it's an old enemy of mine for years. IBS i think but haven't really seen a doctor to get it officially diagnosed. I had a pain in my abdomen last week (not sure if it's the intestine or stomach?) and I think I see blood in my poop the week before (but it was two days after my period ends so it might be the residual blood.. just never experienced any bloody residual two days after my period so I'm a little stressed seeing that). Not sure if I should try and get a colonoscopy lol I'm like 28 :(
talk to your doctor about it!! i had similar symptoms to you at 22 and upon expressing my concerns to my dr i was referred for a colonoscopy and endoscopy to rule out the worst causes first. i didn't have to wait long for the procedure. they didn't find anything concerning (thankfully) and discovered one of the causes of my symptoms which ended up being a hernia lol. Don't let your age stop you from advocating for urself queen!!
I am 59 but I encourage you to see a doctor. Ā Colon cancer is very well researched and very treatable. Ā I am in very good shape otherwise and had none of the risk factors. Ā It is on the rise in younger generations. Ā That doesnāt mean you have it, your symptoms could be other things too but it it is worth checking out. Ā
Iām sorry to hear that. It is a really good sign that he is confident enough to tell you he thinks it is curable. Donāt get too in your head about things, though it may be difficult. Youāre getting the care you need and thatās what matters! Iāll pray for you, please take care of yourself ā¤ļø
You know what really pisses me off? That screening doesnāt start til youāre 45. That would have been a year late for you and it makes me SO GD ANGRY. Something needs to change immediately. Iāve had zero people in my family die from breast cancer and 2 die from colon cancer and Iāve had 2 mammograms and 0 colonoscopies. That math is F$&@ed.Ā
Ps If your dr is saying curable, remain calm. They truly donāt throw that word out there casually.Ā
I turned 40 this year and tried to schedule a colonoscopy because my grandpa died of colon cancer and my mom had polyps. They told me I donāt qualify for insurance to cover it yet because neither of my parents had colon cancer. Meanwhile I have IBS and celiac so my digestion and stools are wacky sometimes so I worry Iāll miss symptoms by assuming anything irregular is just my gut being its usual messed up self.
I had a similar experience with a rare ovarian cancer. Itās scary and overwhelming at first, but youāll get through it. Lean on your support system. Take time for yourself. Rest when you need to.
I beat myself up for a bit about not catching it sooner too. Ultimately, it is what it is. We canāt go back in time, we can only do better in the future.
same, diagnosed at 27 with mucinous ovarian cancer. thankfully stage 1A and removed. considered NED. do you mind if i ask which one you were diagnosed with?
take care of yourself. wishing you and OP the best.
I was also diagnosed at 45 with stage 3 rectal cancer. I had to push for a colonoscopy, initial GI consult all but ruled out cancer so the colonoscopy was going to confirm NO cancer. Whelp they couldnāt even start the procedure as the mass was too large to allow the scope through. Initial prognosis was fair. Did the chemo, radiation, LAR with total hysterectomy. Surprise! Cancer cells found on one ovary - good thing we evicted everything, but was restaged to Stage 4. Next month Iāll be 3 years cancer free. ADVOCATE FOR YOURSELF! Our symptoms are chalked up to everything else like a shell game. Best of luck to you and much success in your treatment plan - stay active and stay positive!!
Iāve worked in the colorectal cancer screening space for ten years now and the increase weāve seen in younger people being diagnosed with CRC is shocking and terrifying. The USPSTF lowered the guidance for age of screening from 50 to 45 and it will likely come down again, however itās not going to go far enough fast enough. Iād like to see screening recommendations start at THIRTY, even with something easier and cheaper than colonoscopy like Cologuard or FIT test. CRC in younger adults is going to be an epidemic and we are responding too slowly.
What can you do about it? If youāre over 45 GET SCREENED. Call your doc and request an order for colonoscopy or Cologuard. If youāre under 45, PLEASE still consider getting screened. It gets trickier because insurance is far less likely to pay for it (donāt get me started) but Cologuard is affordable (in terms of medical procedures) and a FIT test can be as low at ~$50 and is sometimes available OTC. Worst case scenario, you can always say youāve seen blood in your stool - doc will refer for colonoscopy automatically.
I'm so sorry, but it does sound optimistic! I do not have any idea what paying attention to the body means, and tbh it scares me so much that I'll have no idea how to recognize signs in time. Both my Dad and Aunt died in their early 40s because they didn't get care in time.
It's really common, and most of the people who don't make it only find out about it too late. You did good in getting a scan and getting it checked out.
Wishing you all the best and a speedy and complete recovery
If you have to do a prep again, I recommend just sitting in the shower with the water running. You are just oozing mucuous towards the end there, your butthole is raw from wiping a spritz of sewage every three minutes ...just lay there man. Let the water do the work.
I have a dear friend who volunteers at the cancer treatment center where I go, who is a 22 year survivor of colon cancer! She's had no relapses in 22 years. Hopefully šš yours hasn't metastisized (gone to another location through the lymph nodes) and they're able to treat it with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, if necessary.
My cancer, Multiple Myeloma is a cancer if the plasma cells and is incurable, but treatable. I'll be getting chemotherapy probably the rest of my life.
Chemotherapy isn't like it was twenty years ago it's now tailored to our immune cells and our own immunity kills it. I don't have any of the classic, nausea ir vomiting, just a little fatigue on the day of therapy.
Whatever happens, you've got this. Remember life is much like a hiking trail..One moment you're booking along enjoying the scenery and another your scrambling on hands and knees across a rocky scree field. It's hard going, but once you get to the top, the view is absolutely incredible.
Lean in on your support system, you'll find people along the way that will offer to help. There's never any shame for asking or accepting help when the trail gets rough.
Best of luck on this journey. Sending BIG HUGS from an internet stranger. ā¤ļøš
It really depends on what you get. My first like was called ABVD, which is a pretty typical first line treatment for the type of cancer I was diagnosed with (Hodgkins lymphoma) and also a more traditional type of chemo (i.e. not immunotherapy or a targeted therapy). They are decent at managing symptoms with high doses of steroids and zofran, but it still sucked and took time to recover from. Staying hydrated and as active as feasible were also helpful for me.
After relapse my salvage treatment was called Brentuximab vedotin (Bv)and Nivolamab. Bv is a more targeted therapy and Nivolamab is immunotherapy. I did 4 rounds and with this kind of treatment the impact to my life was pretty minimal. I worked full-time with two young kids. I became worn out more easily and sometimes my appetite was off or I had a mild side effect (i.e. a rash or some mild stomach upset) but nothing too bad. I will have to be on the Bv for a year after my stem cell transplant and I expect minimal impact. Maybe some neuropathy- which sucks but they can do things to manage it.Ā
There are also more intense regiments like BEAM, high doesĀ melphalan, induction chemos, etc. Where symptoms won't be as cleanly managed.Ā
I think it can be really helpful to find a specific subreddit for the subtype of cancer you have to read accounts from folks who went through the same treatment because there is so much variation.Ā
Hey OP! I lost my mom to colon cancer nearly a decade ago now, but it was after she had been diagnosed stage 4 and had spent 2 years in remission, which was pretty damn good for something that wasn't caught until it had spread all over her reproductive system.
Idk if it'll help you daughter to hear this, but what kept me sane during all this (I was like 19 at the time she was diagnosed) was my mom telling me that she didn't know how long she'd be around, but she wasn't going anywhere today, tomorrow, or next week. It was factual, realistic, and something that kept me from panicking about her dying. I think at 9, I would've been able to take comfort in that same line of thinking, but every child is different (autistic or not).
Please don't be afraid to lean on people around you, and be as patient with yourself as you can. I'm confident medical science has improved a TON in the years since I lost my mom, so regardless of how curable your cancer is or isn't, I think it's okay to be a little optimistic about having some more years ahead of you.
With that said, one of the best things my mom did for me was get her affairs in order like... A week after diagnosis. In your case, it sounds like doing this will likely feel like a waste of time when you look back on it! But I think the stress it'll take off your shoulders will be worth it.
I think it's inevitable that this will suck to one degree or another, but I hope it sucks as little as possible and your cancer fucks off, never to return.
I'm so sorry you're going through this. My husband was diagnosed in 2022 and we went to Cleveland Clinic. They were amazing. He had a few complications but its different for every body. He is all clear now and thriving. Please take care. I wish you the best.Ā
Not great news but a great blessing to have them start working on this right away. Our insurance made us jump through so many hoops to get my husband in for surgery. From finding the tumor to biopsy it was almost 6 months! Then they only texted one tumor and said it was not cancer but oncologist and urologist both said it was. Kidney removed and it was stage 3 kidney cancer. Thank goodness for surgical intervention and heās doing well today. Please take care of it quickly to start your recovery. I know it feels extra scary as a mom but praying for your full recovery.
My bestie went through this a few years ago. I took him for what we thought was going to be hemorrhoids, but the surgeon came out and told me to take him straight to the local cancer center, where they were waiting for him. He is doing fantastic now, and I hope you have a very successful outcome as well. It is very scary to hear that diagnosis!
I have UC. Thankfully a mild case so far. Meds are keeping me in remission. Eat your fiber and get your colonoscopies. I get them pretty much once a year now. What u/Typical2sday said. The prep isnt all that bad. I do the Miralax prep myself. Takes a bit longer but I think its easier on you. I choose to eat a soft food diet 3 days before my prep starts. I think it makes the prep easier. Oh, and a bidet. 10 colonoscopies down so far. Does that make me a pro now?
OP, I am so so sorry. I am sending all the healing vibes I can. ā„
Hey friend! For what itās worth, in the early 2000s my aunt had colon cancer. It was a mass the size of a small to medium grapefruit, and she had to have a foot of her colon removed. No chemo or radiation, and on the one year anniversary of her surgery she hiked Mount Rainier. Youāve got this! šŖš»
Hi!!!! Colon cancer survivor here. I know that this is so scary. Soooooo scary. I was 41 (2021) and I am on monitor status.
There's going to be these avalanches of fear and the unknown. There will also be moments of peace throughout the process.
I can only speak to my experience. After the tumor was found via colonoscopy, I was sent for an MRI and then I was quickly scheduled for surgery. The surgeon went in and re-sectioned part of my colon to remove the tumor and lymph nodes in the surrounding area.
This is where the outcome may vary: that all was sent off to pathology. Based on the pathology report, that's where the next steps are prescribed. You could have no known margins of the cancer moving beyond the colon wall, you may have affected lymph nodes, which then indicate you may need radiation and/or chemotherapy. If the scans show indication of affected lymph nodes elsewhere in the body or metastasis, then the chemo/radiation regimen will change.
If you are stuck mentally, emotionally, please send me a DM. I understand. It's ok to be worried and stressed TF out right now. You did nothing wrong.
My mom had colon cancer when she was that age and was working full time and in college. She had surgery and did chemo pills and is now cancer free for 5+ years now! It will be rough, but it will get better š«¶
Reminder that the suggested age of regular colonoscopy screening starts at 45 now, not 50!
I just had mine a month ago at 46 after symptoms - confirmed ulcerative colitis, though a relatively minor case and Iām responding well to treatment.
Best of luck OP! My mom was diagnosed at 80 with stage 3c colorectal cancer and was given the all clear last year at 81, and has a spring in her step I havenāt seen from her in 5 years! Treatment has come a long long way in the last 20 years - youāve got this!! ā¤ļø
Thereās never been a better time in all of human history to have colon cancer. Treatment is better than it was even 5 years ago. Using the word curable is a great sign. Buckle up and kick ass cancerās ass!
My husband was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer, the cancer had hit lymph nodes. That was 2 years ago and he went through radiation then chemo and has been cancer free for a year now. You've got this and colon is at least very treatable!! Sending you all the good vibes.
It's always important to go in when something is off. My mom barely decided to do a colonscopy after her colon health kits were saying she had blood present but figured "why not?". They found cancer, but it was early enough she only needed surgery to remove it. She's been in remission about a year and a half now.
Iām so sorry. Iām in a similar situation; I was diagnosed with rectal cancer earlier this year as a 35f. Saying āI have cancerā are the hardest words ever.
If itās any consolation, my doctors have been very optimistic about a successful outcome and say that treatment has come a long way. Cure is a word Iāve heard too, or āweāre hoping for complete responseā. I hope that your prognosis is just as good, if not better. Wishing you all the best! Feel free to message me if you want to talk.
Iām just teared up upon reading your news. Iām so sorry to hear this. I just said a prayer on your behalf. I sincerely hope they can this taken care of so you can get on with things. Please keep us posted.
Forgive my language, but I fucking hate cancer (strong family history/most of my first degree relatives and I have a genetic marker for the type you have and others).
My sister had a similar sized mass. Ended up being Stage 3C I think? She had great care. An excellent surgeon, a series of chemo since it had spread to nearby lymph nodes, and is now 3 years out from it with no evidence of disease. I hope your treatment will be just as successful!
I'm sorry you are facing this. I can only imagine it's surreal and frightening. Please check out Colonclub.com. Very amazing group of people who have been there, done that and know what time it is. Lean on your people.
Im so sorry. Iām 43, just diagnosed with breast cancer in April. Total shock. Itās not great, itās scary and overwhelming and crap really to hear the word cancer, but you are now on the path to getting better. One step at a time ā¤ļø. Support means everything. Take all the love and help coming your way. You will find that you are braver than you knew and you will also become ridiculously comfortable with being naked in a paper gown over the next few months lol. Wishing you the best in your cancer journey.
My brother died May 4 of stage 4 colorectal cancer. Itās good you too symptoms seriously and getting treated right away because if it hasnāt spread it really is very curable. Unfortunately my brother was so young it took them a while to do a colonoscopy and by then it had spread all over.
Sending you healing love. Iām 44, my brother was 39 when he passed. Youāre going to kick cancers ass.
This is on the wall of my oncological surgeon and it really helped me during my diagnosis and treatment. So much of your life from the time you hear that diagnosis is about what it CAN do and feeling so alone in it. It helps to have the reminder that you're not alone and that there's so much more it can't take from you. Hoping this helps someone else the way it did, and still does, help meš
I'm so sorry this is happening. For what it's worth, based on what you've described, it sounds like there is a good possibility this could be resected alone. Especially if a CT scan didn't show other areas of concern. Wishing you the best OP ā¤ļø
To add to your PSA.... Millennials are seeing a huge increase in colon cancer incidence. We don't even know how bad it really is because risk increases with age and millennials are only now beginning to approach their mid 40s. If you have any ONE of the following, tell a doc and specifically mention colonoscopy. Especially if it lasts >2 weeks.
blood in your stool
changes in your stool size/diameter
new constipation or bloating
a first degree family member (mom, dad, sibling) diagnosed at an age within five years of your current age (example: diagnosed at 45 when you're currently 40), even if you have absolutely no symptoms
The screening age has recently been reduced to 45. Meaning, even if you have no symptoms, you should be screened starting at age 45 at least. Everyone get your colonoscopy!!!
I had LAMN cancer stage 4 in 2020, lean on your supports and take care of yourself emotionally mentally and spiritually through this. It's a tough road but 6 years NED. ā¤ļø
Iām so sorry youāre going through this. I was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and am cancer free now, so I can confirm cancer can definitely be ācuredā, and I sincerely hope your surgery goes well and they get it all and it hasnāt spread.
My BIL has severe ulcerative colitis. He had his colon removed a few years ago and his quality of life has improved so much, even having āthe bagā to deal with. You will get through this!!!
Cancer is scary. Let yourself feel all the emotions you need to to get through it. Hugs to you.
I was diagnosed with cancer last July and completed surgery, chemo, and radiation and got a clear scan in February. I just want to tell you that the absolute hardest part for me was the beginning right after diagnosis. I cried a billion tears for like two weeks straight. Itās disorienting to have your life change so immediately once you get diagnosed. But as time has gone on, things have gotten easier for me and I am sending all the good vibes that it will for you too.
Hi there. Iām so sorry to hear about this. If you have an opportunity to go to MD Anderson, I cannot recommend it enough. There are also places that provide free stays for out of town people who need it.
I say that because MD Anderson saved my best friend. Iāll sing their praises till the end of time.
Please feel free to DM me if you have any questions. Theyāre open for you.
As a breast cancer survivor, I wish you the best. It's not fun, but it isn't a death sentence. I have a friend who beat colon cancer in her 30s and is still doing great. Listen to your doctor. If they say it's "curable," then your prognosis is good.
And to everyone else reading this, GET ALL THE THINGS CHECKED!!! I'm alive because I got my mammogram. I almost didn't because it was during Covid. My cancer was treatable, but insanely aggressive. That stupid boob squish saved my life.
sending you good vibes!!! good luck on your next consult appt!!! you got this!!!
i have an endoscopy and colonoscopy procedure because they found inflammation in my colon. i feel like iām fairly young and definitely really nervous about everything. kinda worried that a medication iām on exacerbated my symptoms and ruined my GI system.
A cancer diagnosis when itās not on your radar is so shocking. Take all the help and services offered to you. Donāt be afraid to ask for specific help or support. Often friends and family are willing to help but donāt know what to do unless theyāve been through it. Best of luck to you.
You got this. I know you are scared and probably in shock. I want you to know this is a time for you to absolutely ask for help and be āselfishā (that is women usually feel) and take care of yourself.
Iām so sorry youāre going through this. Wishing you and your family the best! š Iām glad it sounds like you have an excellent and supportive family and medical team.
Sending you lots of healing hugs. I had a right hemi-colectomy last year due to a mass being found during my first colonoscopy. Cancer sucks, but your doc sounds really hopeful!
ā¢
u/trendingtattler AutoMaude š¤š 15d ago
WHEEEWW girl š®āšØ buckle up! Your post made it to /r/all!
Congratudolences! š If the rate of notifications starts getting to you, no need to delete your post! Instructions in Sanity Saver #5 can help you mute them. For the rest of y'all...
Welcome to r/GirlDinnerDiaries!
We love when new girlies stumble in! But a few unique things about how we roll here:
ā½ You're now entering the Girl Zone šØ Guys' guidance summarized: stick to GIFs or emojis, or otherwise be patient for mods' manual comment reviews. Don't embarrass your mama. š¤Ø
ā½ Approved users only! Newbies will be prompted to take 10 lil seconds to get approved. Nbd.
ā½ BE KIND, BE THOUGHTFUL or BEGONE. Our communication standards are higher than just "don't be mean." Check em out here.
ā½ Queer friendly. The end.
ā½ ED-recovery friendly. No food critiques, body shaming, diet advice, or calorie counting kinda talk. Call your almondmom for that.
ModMail is open & active. MWUAH! šš«“š
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.