Sorry to hear this Dash. I have been fighting colo/rectal cancer for 2 years now. Chemo, radiation, surgeries, ostomy bag, etc.. It will get overwhelming. When it all started, I thought there was no way I could handle it. Now 2 years later, I am amazed at what I was able to handle. Family and friends are key. It will get tough for them too. I wish you and your brother the best.

I'll have you guys in my prayers.

You've got this! Do what they say, keep your spirits up, let your loved ones help you out.
Cancer isn't what it was 30 years ago, even 10 years ago.

I don't know why they don't lower the suggested colonoscopy age by 5 years. Right now it's 50, but most guys I hear about having colon cancer are around 45, thinking waiting until they hit 50 (like I did) was the thing to do.

I wish I would have not waited until I was 50. I was always afraid of the colonoscopy. Turns out, it was easy. The prep part sucked a little. My health insurance wouldn't pay 100% until I turned 50. I was about 47 when I started noticing going to the bathroom wasn't as easy as it once was. I thought it would just go away. Pretty stupid. They really won't know how far it has spread until they do surgery and get at your lymph nodes. Another thing to be mindful of is lymphedema. After they take most of your nodes out, edema will become an issue. The stage they give it, and whether it has gone through the colon wall will be pivotal. Again, it is a long hard road, but it does get better.

FYI:

http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/thesite/lymphedema_and_colon_cancer.htm

My mother had colon cancer in her 60's (lived to be 85) and now I have it at 54, so my doctor has advised me to advise my two sons that they should start having colonoscopies at age 40.

I'll be sure to spend time asking for your healing!

You got me scared now, just hit the double nickle today. Hate going to the doctor.
Hang in there, you have my prayers.

Dude, a colonoscopy is NOTHING. Even the prep is super easy, you drink a lot of gatorade with your miralax and sit on the toilet reading "American Rifleman" or whatever. Be sure your procedure is scheduled for early morning since you can't eat until it's over, you go in, they start an IV, you fall asleep and ta-da it is OVER. Enjoy a good meal and go home.

DO IT. SOON.

God bless and stay strong. Keep your head up and in your darkest hours, don't forget that he's there for you. He'll take your fears out of your hands if you let him. Praying for you.

Best wishes to you and stay positive. I had a colon check 10 years ago. Time for another after reading this

Hope all goes well F4UDash4
A positive attitude really helps.
I had blood tests and a ultra sound last week, i have a enlarged prostate.
One of the blood Tests was for the big C as well. i will find out this week.
Did not to tell my family about the tests no point in worrying them till i know for sure.

Best of my thoughts for you, and fingers crossed. Colon Cancer is thankfully one of the better treatable versions... hang in there!

Damn, I'm sorry to hear that. Besides the advice, I'd feed off the fighting attitude of the survivors here.

I have no doubt that my wife will have a colonoscopy scheduled for me next August when I turn 50. Been that way since 2008, she schedules whatever and I go and endure it, a promise I made and won't break.

Stay positive! Well wishes and prayers your way.

That is a hard blow. Prayers sent. Stay strong and positive.

Very good report from my surgeon today. The location of my cancer makes it relatively easy and safe to remove, we had been concerned that it could have been lower which would have been more difficult to treat. Also my CT scans appear to be clear and I won't require any pre-operative chemo or radiation. I will only require chemo after surgery if cancer cells are found in the lymph nodes that she will remove along with the tumor / section of colon. My surgery hasn't been scheduled yet but it will be before years end.

Thanks for all the kind words and especially your prayers. God is good.

I am happy to hear that things came back as well as they did - sounds like the best result, given the situation.

All the best in a speedy and complete recovery.

Thanks for the update F4U. I hope everything turns out ok.

That's great news!


Regards,
4 <S!>