I posted this in another thread hotcoffee, maybe you missed it?
Hot Coffee, Would you mind, if not too off putting, of describing how you came to know you had colon cancer? If you had any symptoms, and what they were and how they presented? How you came to be diagnosed? I think this information would be of great value to those who might not otherwise give colon cancer a second thought. And the importance of screening. You might help save a life.
No problem at all... I had a kidney stone which caused me to hit my max out of pocket for insurance. So my PCP and I decided it was an excellent time for a woman my age to go through the regular diagnostic testing. I had a mammogram, pap smear and a colonoscopy. The colonoscopy showed I had a flat [as opposed to mushroom shaped] polyp. It was removed and sent out for testing. It came back as cancer.
I was sent to George Washington University Hospital for surgery to undergo a right hemicolectomy. The section of the colon that was removed was sent to the lab for testing. It was classified stage IIIc. The oncologist at George Washington University Hospital said that no chemo was recommended because the cure was worse than the cancer. It appeared that although the tumor had entered the wall of the colon, it did not affect any of the 26 surrounding nodes.
In all fairness.... the oncologist that my PCP had me follow up with here at Calvert Memorial... [rather than travel back and forth to DC] suggested chemotherapy but since an older [and more experienced I assumed due to his age and prestige] doctor had advised against it.... I did not opt for the suggestion of the younger local oncologist.
After you have colon cancer.... it's routine that you have regular CEA blood tests and an annual colonoscopy. Before this testing was done.... I started to have some pain in the lower right part of my belly. My PCP did a physical exam and found a lump in the area. She ordered a CEA blood test and it came back higher than it should have. I was then scheduled to go back to the oncologist. He could not feel the lump that the PCP and I had found. I was scheduled for a colonoscopy. The colonoscopy showed more cancer of the same type in the area adjacent to the area where the resection had been done. The oncologist sent me to Mercy Hospital to see another colon specialist. He was as hairy as a bear... as I recall... he tried to get me to have a more sophisticated colonoscopy but dismissed the lump the PCP and I had felt. The pain was persisting and moving up in the abdomen by that time. I opted not to go for the procedure he was selling because he dismissed the fact I was in pain. He told me he felt is was a subcutaneous cyst.... nothing to worry about.
At the end of August, the pain in my belly was becoming a daily issue. That's when another kidney stone sent me back to Calvert Memorial Hospital. The CT Scan I was given [so that they could locate the boulder my system was trying to pass] showed a subcutaneous mass 5cm X 3cmX 2.5cm at the belly button area [where the pain was now persistant]. I went though the kidney stone removal and then was scheduled for more tests. The PET scan scheduled after the surgery showed a tumor that was now 6cm x 3cm x 2.5cm. [for those of you who don't have a cm measure... it's about the size of a small human fist].
Before the routine colonoscopy the only symptoms I had was occasional constipation. There was no blood in my stool, no pain.... no real signs. My family history has some colon cancer.
After a biopsy was performed I went back to my oncologist. My diagnosis is now recurring metastatic colon cancer Stage 4. It's terminal. The doctor explained that without treatment I would have a couple of months. With chemo and possibly surgery I could have as long as two years. When considering the surgery I should consider whether or not the surgery could remove all the cancer. Since there is a shadow on my stomach, a spot on my kidney, liver, and adrenal gland [along with the polyp in my colon that the doctor that did the colonoscopy could not reach during the colonoscopy], it isn't likely that the surgery I am scheduled to undergo will get it all.
The pain at my belly button is so bad that I am now on a lot of pain killers. I can't wear jeans anymore. The pressure on the belly causes intense pain. I have to wear non-restrictive clothing like dresses. Now I cannot stand for more than 3-5 minutes before feeling acute pain in the belly. I've gone through 5 rounds of chemo... [5-FU]. The tumor as only shrunk back to the size when it showed up on the CT Scan back in August.
After my surgery on January 12th.... the plan is for hubby and I to meet with the oncologist to go over the pathology report. I've used up 5 months of the 2 years.... we'll see what comes out of that meeting.
Thank you for asking.... the best way to avoid colon cancer is to have regular colon screenings. If you have a history of colon cancer in your family.... talk to your primary care doctor. Oh and the colonoscopy procedure has gotten a whole lot easier than it was just a few years ago. Even the prep that you have to drink is better.....
AND one last thing... if you cannot afford a colonoscopy.... talk to your PCP....
there are programs that will pay for your procedure. Colon Cancer caught early can be cured.
As for myself, I am not into Christmas now that my children are grown; we celebrate at their houses. I don't decorate at my home anymore. All I can think of at this point (current news is quite distressing) is the 'goodwill towards men' thing. That seems to be lost as well. I wish you happy holidays! 
