Re: [QUAD-L] Colon Cancer
Honestly, I don't know what I would do if I were diagnosed with cancer. Fortunately, and despite my dad having both colon and prostate cancer, my last two Cologuard tests were negative. My dad smoked non-filtered cigarettes for 30+ years before quitting. Still, if it were the other way around, I'd have to know what I'd be going through, the prognosis, etc., before I could decide. I'm 61, 43 years post, have my own house, car, the trappings, I work 40 hours a week, I'm active socially. I don't have an answer as to what I would do. I usually don't have an answer until I'm confronted with the situation and what it means. Just my take… On Sunday, August 28, 2022 at 11:46:09 AM PDT, Eric Olson wrote: For most people, you could opt for hospice care. The hospice nurses just load you up with morphine and you stop breathing in your sleep. Peaceful and painless. Of course, I don't have that option being on a vent. Death from cancer for me will be long, drawn out, and miserable On Sun, Aug 28, 2022 at 10:35 AM Jeffrey Gaede wrote: For those ready to "cash in their chips", for lack of a better expression this morning, and I do understand where you're coming from, have you thought about what having cancer, what dying from cancer might be like, or did you have other plans? Jeff On Thursday, August 25, 2022 at 11:59:32 AM PDT, Greg wrote: Greg, Receiving those results from the Cologuard test must have been a bit of a shock. I hope you fall into that 13% false positive group. I'm 58, and was due for another colonoscopy earlier this year. It would have been my third in 15 years. My doctor told me to call him back with a date and he would set it up with my gastroenterologist. Two weeks later my doctor retired and I have not yet seen his replacement. I never picked a date and I never called him back, so I still haven't had the colonoscopy. Like most, it's the prep that makes it so difficult. And of course, the prep is even more difficult for my caregiver. But putting all that aside, I am almost certain I would reject whatever treatment necessary to tackle the problem if they discovered cancer. I have lived a comfortable, full life, relatively free from serious health problems. But I know without a doubt that my life is only going to get harder going forward. And not just a little bit harder, but a lot harder. I lost my dad last year, and mom is not getting any younger. 35 years of quad-dom is quite enough for me. Anything beyond this point is just the credits rolling. I'll enjoy what I can, but I'm not willing to spend my remaining days recovering from colon surgery and/or chemotherapy should I be diagnosed. Having said all that, my dad was diagnosed with colon cancer when he was 58. They discovered it during another surgical procedure, brought him out of anesthesia, broke the news, had him sign some papers, put him back under, and removed a sizable length of his colon. He then underwent chemotherapy, and it was a terrible two year ordeal. BUT, he survived, eventually felt much better, and lived another 20 years in good health. All of us were glad he chose to fight it. That is of course a personal decision. Good luck with the colonoscopy. If you receive good news from the procedure, and you are anything like me, you will come out of it feeling better for having cleaned yourself out, maybe lost a few pounds, and you will vow to do better going forward, to eat better, and take better care of yourself. And if you're anything like me, you will be wolfing down a pizza and chugging a couple tallboys by the end of the week. I look forward to hearing your good report. Greg On Sun, Aug 21, 2022 at 5:58 PM Greg wrote: Recently had a positive Cologuard Test. So doing a colonoscopy next week. I almost said no. I just can't handle the prep. Drinking that nasty stuff. But the Doc said I could do just pills and water. 12 pills lots of water, 12 more pills, lots more water. They do have a 13% false positive, but if not, lets hope its not far along. Not sure I'd do Chemo. Greg
Re: [QUAD-L] Colon Cancer
For most people, you could opt for hospice care. The hospice nurses just load you up with morphine and you stop breathing in your sleep. Peaceful and painless. Of course, I don't have that option being on a vent. Death from cancer for me will be long, drawn out, and miserable On Sun, Aug 28, 2022 at 10:35 AM Jeffrey Gaede wrote: > For those ready to "cash in their chips", for lack of a better expression > this morning, and I do understand where you're coming from, have you > thought about what having cancer, what dying from cancer might be like, or > did you have other plans? > Jeff > > On Thursday, August 25, 2022 at 11:59:32 AM PDT, Greg < > mongrelti...@gmail.com> wrote: > > > Greg, > > Receiving those results from the Cologuard test must have been a bit of a > shock. I hope you fall into that 13% false positive group. > > I'm 58, and was due for another colonoscopy earlier this year. It would > have been my third in 15 years. My doctor told me to call him back with a > date and he would set it up with my gastroenterologist. Two weeks later my > doctor retired and I have not yet seen his replacement. I never picked a > date and I never called him back, so I still haven't had the colonoscopy. > Like most, it's the prep that makes it so difficult. And of course, the > prep is even more difficult for my caregiver. But putting all that aside, I > am almost certain I would reject whatever treatment necessary to tackle the > problem if they discovered cancer. I have lived a comfortable, full life, > relatively free from serious health problems. But I know without a doubt > that my life is only going to get harder going forward. And not just a > little bit harder, but a lot harder. I lost my dad last year, and mom is > not getting any younger. 35 years of quad-dom is quite enough for me. > Anything beyond this point is just the credits rolling. I'll enjoy what I > can, but I'm not willing to spend my remaining days recovering from colon > surgery and/or chemotherapy should I be diagnosed. > > Having said all that, my dad was diagnosed with colon cancer when he was > 58. They discovered it during another surgical procedure, brought him out > of anesthesia, broke the news, had him sign some papers, put him back > under, and removed a sizable length of his colon. He then underwent > chemotherapy, and it was a terrible two year ordeal. BUT, he survived, > eventually felt much better, and lived another 20 years in good health. All > of us were glad he chose to fight it. That is of course a personal decision. > > Good luck with the colonoscopy. If you receive good news from the > procedure, and you are anything like me, you will come out of it feeling > better for having cleaned yourself out, maybe lost a few pounds, and you > will vow to do better going forward, to eat better, and take better care of > yourself. And if you're anything like me, you will be wolfing down a pizza > and chugging a couple tallboys by the end of the week. I look forward to > hearing your good report. > > Greg > > > On Sun, Aug 21, 2022 at 5:58 PM Greg wrote: > > Recently had a positive Cologuard Test. So doing a colonoscopy next week. > I almost said no. I just can't handle the prep. Drinking that nasty stuff. > But the Doc said I could do just pills and water. 12 pills lots of water, > 12 more pills, lots more water. > > They do have a 13% false positive, but if not, lets hope its not far > along. Not sure I'd do Chemo. > > Greg > >
Re: [QUAD-L] Colon Cancer
For those ready to "cash in their chips", for lack of a better expression this morning, and I do understand where you're coming from, have you thought about what having cancer, what dying from cancer might be like, or did you have other plans? Jeff On Thursday, August 25, 2022 at 11:59:32 AM PDT, Greg wrote: Greg, Receiving those results from the Cologuard test must have been a bit of a shock. I hope you fall into that 13% false positive group. I'm 58, and was due for another colonoscopy earlier this year. It would have been my third in 15 years. My doctor told me to call him back with a date and he would set it up with my gastroenterologist. Two weeks later my doctor retired and I have not yet seen his replacement. I never picked a date and I never called him back, so I still haven't had the colonoscopy. Like most, it's the prep that makes it so difficult. And of course, the prep is even more difficult for my caregiver. But putting all that aside, I am almost certain I would reject whatever treatment necessary to tackle the problem if they discovered cancer. I have lived a comfortable, full life, relatively free from serious health problems. But I know without a doubt that my life is only going to get harder going forward. And not just a little bit harder, but a lot harder. I lost my dad last year, and mom is not getting any younger. 35 years of quad-dom is quite enough for me. Anything beyond this point is just the credits rolling. I'll enjoy what I can, but I'm not willing to spend my remaining days recovering from colon surgery and/or chemotherapy should I be diagnosed. Having said all that, my dad was diagnosed with colon cancer when he was 58. They discovered it during another surgical procedure, brought him out of anesthesia, broke the news, had him sign some papers, put him back under, and removed a sizable length of his colon. He then underwent chemotherapy, and it was a terrible two year ordeal. BUT, he survived, eventually felt much better, and lived another 20 years in good health. All of us were glad he chose to fight it. That is of course a personal decision. Good luck with the colonoscopy. If you receive good news from the procedure, and you are anything like me, you will come out of it feeling better for having cleaned yourself out, maybe lost a few pounds, and you will vow to do better going forward, to eat better, and take better care of yourself. And if you're anything like me, you will be wolfing down a pizza and chugging a couple tallboys by the end of the week. I look forward to hearing your good report. Greg On Sun, Aug 21, 2022 at 5:58 PM Greg wrote: Recently had a positive Cologuard Test. So doing a colonoscopy next week. I almost said no. I just can't handle the prep. Drinking that nasty stuff. But the Doc said I could do just pills and water. 12 pills lots of water, 12 more pills, lots more water. They do have a 13% false positive, but if not, lets hope its not far along. Not sure I'd do Chemo. Greg
Re: [QUAD-L] Colon Cancer
I hope this is not seen as me making light of the situation. I AM NOT. But, the whole colonoscopy discussion reminded me of a bit a local comedian here in Nashville did years ago. He was part of a locally produced and broadcast 30-minute comedy skit show that aired late night for several weeks. The show was called CUTS, and the character in this bit, Coach Bill Dingleman, was a recurring character. Try not to laugh during this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9J7sVZd69uw Good luck, Greg. Greg On Thu, Aug 25, 2022 at 1:59 PM Greg wrote: > Greg, > > Receiving those results from the Cologuard test must have been a bit of a > shock. I hope you fall into that 13% false positive group. > > I'm 58, and was due for another colonoscopy earlier this year. It would > have been my third in 15 years. My doctor told me to call him back with a > date and he would set it up with my gastroenterologist. Two weeks later my > doctor retired and I have not yet seen his replacement. I never picked a > date and I never called him back, so I still haven't had the colonoscopy. > Like most, it's the prep that makes it so difficult. And of course, the > prep is even more difficult for my caregiver. But putting all that aside, I > am almost certain I would reject whatever treatment necessary to tackle the > problem if they discovered cancer. I have lived a comfortable, full life, > relatively free from serious health problems. But I know without a doubt > that my life is only going to get harder going forward. And not just a > little bit harder, but a lot harder. I lost my dad last year, and mom is > not getting any younger. 35 years of quad-dom is quite enough for me. > Anything beyond this point is just the credits rolling. I'll enjoy what I > can, but I'm not willing to spend my remaining days recovering from colon > surgery and/or chemotherapy should I be diagnosed. > > Having said all that, my dad was diagnosed with colon cancer when he was > 58. They discovered it during another surgical procedure, brought him out > of anesthesia, broke the news, had him sign some papers, put him back > under, and removed a sizable length of his colon. He then underwent > chemotherapy, and it was a terrible two year ordeal. BUT, he survived, > eventually felt much better, and lived another 20 years in good health. All > of us were glad he chose to fight it. That is of course a personal decision. > > Good luck with the colonoscopy. If you receive good news from the > procedure, and you are anything like me, you will come out of it feeling > better for having cleaned yourself out, maybe lost a few pounds, and you > will vow to do better going forward, to eat better, and take better care of > yourself. And if you're anything like me, you will be wolfing down a pizza > and chugging a couple tallboys by the end of the week. I look forward to > hearing your good report. > > Greg > > > On Sun, Aug 21, 2022 at 5:58 PM Greg wrote: > >> Recently had a positive Cologuard Test. So doing a colonoscopy next week. >> I almost said no. I just can't handle the prep. Drinking that nasty stuff. >> But the Doc said I could do just pills and water. 12 pills lots of water, >> 12 more pills, lots more water. >> >> They do have a 13% false positive, but if not, lets hope its not far >> along. Not sure I'd do Chemo. >> >> Greg >> >>
Re: [QUAD-L] Colon Cancer
Greg, Receiving those results from the Cologuard test must have been a bit of a shock. I hope you fall into that 13% false positive group. I'm 58, and was due for another colonoscopy earlier this year. It would have been my third in 15 years. My doctor told me to call him back with a date and he would set it up with my gastroenterologist. Two weeks later my doctor retired and I have not yet seen his replacement. I never picked a date and I never called him back, so I still haven't had the colonoscopy. Like most, it's the prep that makes it so difficult. And of course, the prep is even more difficult for my caregiver. But putting all that aside, I am almost certain I would reject whatever treatment necessary to tackle the problem if they discovered cancer. I have lived a comfortable, full life, relatively free from serious health problems. But I know without a doubt that my life is only going to get harder going forward. And not just a little bit harder, but a lot harder. I lost my dad last year, and mom is not getting any younger. 35 years of quad-dom is quite enough for me. Anything beyond this point is just the credits rolling. I'll enjoy what I can, but I'm not willing to spend my remaining days recovering from colon surgery and/or chemotherapy should I be diagnosed. Having said all that, my dad was diagnosed with colon cancer when he was 58. They discovered it during another surgical procedure, brought him out of anesthesia, broke the news, had him sign some papers, put him back under, and removed a sizable length of his colon. He then underwent chemotherapy, and it was a terrible two year ordeal. BUT, he survived, eventually felt much better, and lived another 20 years in good health. All of us were glad he chose to fight it. That is of course a personal decision. Good luck with the colonoscopy. If you receive good news from the procedure, and you are anything like me, you will come out of it feeling better for having cleaned yourself out, maybe lost a few pounds, and you will vow to do better going forward, to eat better, and take better care of yourself. And if you're anything like me, you will be wolfing down a pizza and chugging a couple tallboys by the end of the week. I look forward to hearing your good report. Greg On Sun, Aug 21, 2022 at 5:58 PM Greg wrote: > Recently had a positive Cologuard Test. So doing a colonoscopy next week. > I almost said no. I just can't handle the prep. Drinking that nasty stuff. > But the Doc said I could do just pills and water. 12 pills lots of water, > 12 more pills, lots more water. > > They do have a 13% false positive, but if not, lets hope its not far > along. Not sure I'd do Chemo. > > Greg > >
Re: [QUAD-L] Colon Cancer
Oh no! I had blood clots in my lungs a very long time ago and it caused a bunch of fluid on my lungs (like over a 2 liter bottle full). Have they checked for that? I believe a simple xray showed my initial fluid (kinda squished my lung). I was the same way - blood clots gone, but not back to normal. Either way, I hope whatever is causing it clears up quickly! Michelle On Wed, Aug 24, 2022 at 5:05 PM Greg wrote: > Hi, They found the cause of my breathing issue. I had blood clots in my > lungs. Although they cleared them up, I'm still not back to normal. I can't > type more than a few lines before I'm exhausted. And I get so dizzy so > easy. etc. > > I'm with you. I probably would not do any treatments, but if its still > stage 1, the colonoscopy could cure it up. No chemo, I just don't think I > could do it. > > > Greg > > > On 8/21/2022 4:18 PM, Danny Hearn wrote: > > I get what your saying Greg, my docs keep wanting me to take the cologuard > test and etc, I just tell them I'm not interested...after 25 years as a > quad and with all my pain and health issues, I would not want to go thru > any treatments or chemo. Hope it was just a false positive for you. ( Did > you ever find out what was causing all your breathing issues a while back?? > ) Dan H*** > > On Sunday, August 21, 2022 at 05:58:19 PM CDT, Greg > wrote: > > > Recently had a positive Cologuard Test. So doing a colonoscopy next week. > I almost said no. I just can't handle the prep. Drinking that nasty stuff. > But the Doc said I could do just pills and water. 12 pills lots of water, > 12 more pills, lots more water. > > They do have a 13% false positive, but if not, lets hope its not far > along. Not sure I'd do Chemo. > > Greg > > >
Re: [QUAD-L] Colon Cancer
Hi, They found the cause of my breathing issue. I had blood clots in my lungs. Although they cleared them up, I'm still not back to normal. I can't type more than a few lines before I'm exhausted. And I get so dizzy so easy. etc. I'm with you. I probably would not do any treatments, but if its still stage 1, the colonoscopy could cure it up. No chemo, I just don't think I could do it. Greg On 8/21/2022 4:18 PM, Danny Hearn wrote: I get what your saying Greg, my docs keep wanting me to take the cologuard test and etc, I just tell them I'm not interested...after 25 years as a quad and with all my pain and health issues, I would not want to go thru any treatments or chemo. Hope it was just a false positive for you. ( Did you ever find out what was causing all your breathing issues a while back?? ) Dan H*** On Sunday, August 21, 2022 at 05:58:19 PM CDT, Greg wrote: Recently had a positive Cologuard Test. So doing a colonoscopy next week. I almost said no. I just can't handle the prep. Drinking that nasty stuff. But the Doc said I could do just pills and water. 12 pills lots of water, 12 more pills, lots more water. They do have a 13% false positive, but if not, lets hope its not far along. Not sure I'd do Chemo. Greg
Re: [QUAD-L] Colon Cancer
So sorry to hear that Greg. I would rather not know. I know that is a very stick my head in the sand approach, but it is what it is as they say. I actually see my doctor tomorrow and if he brings it up, I'm going to tell him the cleaning out part would be too much. I'm 55 and he hasn't mentioned it, so I don't expect him to bring it up. Praying It's a false positive On Sun, Aug 21, 2022 at 6:18 PM Danny Hearn wrote: > I get what your saying Greg, my docs keep wanting me to take the cologuard > test and etc, I just tell them I'm not interested...after 25 years as a > quad and with all my pain and health issues, I would not want to go thru > any treatments or chemo. Hope it was just a false positive for you. ( Did > you ever find out what was causing all your breathing issues a while back?? > ) Dan H*** > > On Sunday, August 21, 2022 at 05:58:19 PM CDT, Greg > wrote: > > > Recently had a positive Cologuard Test. So doing a colonoscopy next week. > I almost said no. I just can't handle the prep. Drinking that nasty stuff. > But the Doc said I could do just pills and water. 12 pills lots of water, > 12 more pills, lots more water. > > They do have a 13% false positive, but if not, lets hope its not far > along. Not sure I'd do Chemo. > > Greg > >
Re: [QUAD-L] Colon Cancer
I get what your saying Greg, my docs keep wanting me to take the cologuard test and etc, I just tell them I'm not interested...after 25 years as a quad and with all my pain and health issues, I would not want to go thru any treatments or chemo. Hope it was just a false positive for you. ( Did you ever find out what was causing all your breathing issues a while back?? ) Dan H*** On Sunday, August 21, 2022 at 05:58:19 PM CDT, Greg wrote: Recently had a positive Cologuard Test. So doing a colonoscopy next week. I almost said no. I just can't handle the prep. Drinking that nasty stuff. But the Doc said I could do just pills and water. 12 pills lots of water, 12 more pills, lots more water. They do have a 13% false positive, but if not, lets hope its not far along. Not sure I'd do Chemo. Greg
[QUAD-L] Colon Cancer
Recently had a positive Cologuard Test. So doing a colonoscopy next week. I almost said no. I just can't handle the prep. Drinking that nasty stuff. But the Doc said I could do just pills and water. 12 pills lots of water, 12 more pills, lots more water. They do have a 13% false positive, but if not, lets hope its not far along. Not sure I'd do Chemo. Greg
