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I am besides myself after colonoscopy

chris_martin
April 2010
Yesterday I had a colonoscopy and what was supposed to take approx 15 mins took well over an hour and I still am so tired tonight. What is really concerning me is that I have to go again next week (and have same yuck 3litre prep again) for a CT Colonography. I have sine read on internet that this is to tell how advanced cancer is. Doctors told me nothing except after I came out they were feeling my tummy and kept asking "do you have any right shoulder pain" to which I said no. As I have to have this CT thing does that mean I have bowel cancer!!!! I really need answers as I am still trying to deal with my dad dying and sil advanced agressive breast cancer. I am SO SO lost
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samex
Regular Contributor
April 2010
Hi Chris, This must be terrifying for you. Are you able to ask your doctor straight out the questions that are worrying you? I'm sorry I can't be more help as my cancer was detected with a CT as my bowel had completely shut down and was in danger of perforating. Therefore I had to have emergency surgery. While we can't help medically, feel free to express your fears here when ever you wish. Big breaths and lots of hugs, S
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chris_martin
Contributor
April 2010
Hi there. Yes I am terrified as I have read on internet that this next test I am having is to see how advanced cancer is but I haven't been told I have cancer!!!! The registrar came out and kept feeling my tummy for pain but was especially interested in left shoulder pain. My colonoscopy took over an hour and when I read the form for xray it said ?mass. What am I supposed to read from this. Also going through public system I have only seen my gastro in ED. so can't really talk to him. Just so worried
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chris_martin
Contributor
April 2010
Hi there. Yes I am terrified as I have read on internet that this next test I am having is to see how advanced cancer is but I haven't been told I have cancer!!!! The registrar came out and kept feeling my tummy for pain but was especially interested in left shoulder pain. My colonoscopy took over an hour and when I read the form for xray it said ?mass. What am I supposed to read from this. Also going through public system I have only seen my gastro in ED. so can't really talk to him. Just so worried
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chris_martin
Contributor
April 2010
Hi again. When u said your cancer was dected with CT as I have read on net that that is cancer is detected and that is what I am having done next week. I just don't know what to do
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samex
Regular Contributor
May 2010
Hi Chris, My situation was that my bowel had completely shut down and they couldn't find out why through x-ray which was why my surgeon ordered the CT and then the emergency surgery. It is all a bit foggy as I was so ill for those 2 days but the actual word "cancer" was only confirmed after the surgery. The tumour had caused my bowel to telescope in on itself and that's what had caused it to shut down. I wish I could give you something more definite and possibly positive to go on with over the weekend but soemtimes it is all so vague. Again, lots of thoughts to you and cyber hugs. Samex
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CATS
Contributor
May 2010
Chris I am so sorry that all of this is happening to you especially at this time when you are so worried about your Dad. Life can be an absolute s*** at times and when you think things can't get any worse - they do - as you are experiencing now. I'm not going to say - 'don't worry' because I have been there and I know you will. All I can say is listen to your doctors and ask questions - that was my mistake - I did not ask questions, just went along blindly with whatever I was told - my worry level sky rocketed! Please remember I and many others are thinking of you and hoping everything is not as gloomy as it seems now - of course it is a huge worry, as with me, these tests came out of nowhere and your mind does go numb/shuts down because it is too much to deal with when they hit you with results, then basically leave you floundering until the next appointment. I'm public too! It might be a good idea to get in touch with the cancer helpline - they may be able to answer a few questions and hopefully allay your fears. I plan to ring them tomorrow about my latest little horror! Please take care of yourself and we will talk soon. meeow
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Not applicable
May 2010
the whole system and way they treat people needs to be re-vamped. i know they don't want to give ppl false hope or tell them news that is not true... but they could at least give a bit of a heads up...its like a merry go round, its something, its nothing, random questions, nurses freaking out, chemo is needed, no its not, yes it is, its cancer, its not cancer, its low grade cancer, its high grade cancer. they need a better system. all i can say is listen to your heart, that little niggly thing inside of you at all times, no matter what the news and feel blessed to be alive right now at this moment in this second. good luck and be blessed. :) oh and stay away from Dr Google you will just freak yourself out trying to do self diagnosis!!
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CATS
Contributor
May 2010
Chris how are you now? Haven't heard from you since you had colonoscopy. I was trying to find the 'send private msg' page but the old brain won't let me find it. I hope things are going ok with your Dad and I hope you are ok and coping - would love to hear from you. Take care of yourself xxooxx
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chris_martin
Contributor
May 2010
Hi there. I have had my colonography which wasn't so bad but then I found out that I have to pay surgeon to get results. I originally went through ED ande noone told me I would have to pay and I assumed as Iwasapublic/pensioner it would be covered by medicare. I have appt with surgeon 27may and have to pay $100 which I don'thave otherwise I don't get results. I am still bleeding heavily from bowel and have so much pain but can't afford to get results. Ithink it sucks that no one in hospital told me I would have to pay surgeon. Where do I go from here?
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chris_martin
Contributor
May 2010
Hi there. I have had my colonography which wasn't so bad but then I found out that I have to pay surgeon to get results. I originally went through ED ande noone told me I would have to pay and I assumed as Iwasapublic/pensioner it would be covered by medicare. I have appt with surgeon 27may and have to pay $100 which I don'thave otherwise I don't get results. I am still bleeding heavily from bowel and have so much pain but can't afford to get results. Ithink it sucks that no one in hospital told me I would have to pay surgeon. Where do I go from here?
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samex
Regular Contributor
May 2010
Hi Chris, In no way do I pretend to be a medical expert but if you are bleeding, perhaps you should present to the hospital where you had your proceedure? Can you claim some of the fee on Medicare? Perhpas ring the cancer helpline for some advice. PLEASE take care. Samex
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CATS
Contributor
May 2010
Hi Chris Thanks for replying I was worried about you and with good reason by the sound of it. I really don't know what you can do - hopefully someone on this site will be able to offer some advice and don't forget the Helpline - they will certainly know what can be done. That is disgusting - I've never heard of that - paying before you get results - thats absolutely ridiculous AND why did they let you go when you are still bleeding?. Hopefully someone can help you - this is just not good enough. All I can say is take care of yourself and please someone give Chris some helpful advice. Good luck xx
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Sailor
Deceased
Deceased
May 2010
Hi Everyone Good advice from star shine as you can freak out with all the information available on the net. However, there is good information out there from reliable sources and that can be quite useful. How to distinguish between the rubbish and the good stuff? On the front page of the site, look for the "Health on the Net" logo. Organisations that use this have to have accreditation and conform to the code of practice. Their sites are checked for evidence based content, so along with the Health on the Net logo, there will be a date when it was last accredited. A good example of this is the Lions Australia Prostate Cancer Site http://www.prostatehealth.org.au. The Health on the Net code of conduct is at http://www.hon.ch/HONcode/Conduct.html Cheers Sailor Never go into strange places on a falling tide without a pilot. Thomas Gibson Bowles
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samex
Regular Contributor
May 2010
Sailor, For all of us, thnaks for that advice. Dr Google can so often be terrifying and contradictory. Samex
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Not applicable
September 2011
This post has been removed as it breached the Terms & Conditions of use of the website.
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