Hi:

You are entitled to a copy of all reports, so please get a copy of
all tests and lab results.

That's something everyone should do for any/all tests of any type.
Keep a copy of your own records.

Sometimes it is surprising to read the report and compare it to what
the doc is telling you.

Hugs & prayers,
Kat

(((Kathy)))

how are ya

keeping prayers lifted for you and your man

Thank you Kat and Cheri

The appointment is set for September 12th. I spoke again with the nurse. She explained the reason for the delay is to give the site adequate time to heal because they want to biopsy the same area of his colon. Makes sense to me.

It's hanging over our heads, but there's really nothing more we can do about it now. My husband doesn't want to talk about it, which is understandable. I can tell he has a lot of thoughts going on that he has to figure out first. His father died young from cancer. When I was first diagnosed with amyloidosis, it was a major slap in the face. It takes a while to regain a little balance. He knows I'm here for him, so I'm giving him the space he needs.

I already enjoy and cherish the time I have with him - always have. Now I feel like I have to hold my breath until September.

Your thoughts and prayers are much appreciated

(((Kathy)))

Here I was, wondering why Alffe kept making reference to hubby over in SOS. I'm glad I found you here.

Maybe this will help you a little, I don't know. We can talk about it in September when I trip out to see Mr. and Mrs. Alpo. I've had Ulcerative Colitis for 30+ years now. I've had more colonoscopies than I could possibly remember and had hundreds of polyps removed.

I had them every year, sometimes twice a year when the UC was really active, lots of pain and blood. Now I'm 'quiescent'. Then, I started seeing a specialist and he pushed me to a colonoscopy every 2 years. I can't begin to tell you how nervous that has made me as I know UC is basically considered a precursor to colon cancer...and a colon cancer that pops up all over the colon, not just one spot.

When he switched me to every other year, I immediately voiced my concern. His response was that when polyps are considered premalignant lesions, the 'evolution' to cancer is a slow process that can take up to 7 to 8 years and an exhaustive removal of all 'adenomatous' polyps isn't necessary.

I guess that made me feel a little better, but when colonoscopy time comes around, I always get a little nervous. Mine is due this fall, and I'm concerned because I've been 'trying' to flare for about a year now, and flares are when the aggressive changes take place in the cells. There was a time when they would take as many as 75 small biopsies from my colon. Now they take about 10-12 from 4 different quadrants, and I always wonder...well, what about the rest of the colon.

So, I'm thinking that 3 months is probably okay and that the polyps showed a change in cells, not necessarily a full blown cancer. If it was a full blown cancer, he certainly wouldn't have shoved hubby out the door with a 'see you in 3 months' statement.

It's a GOOD thing he had this done. Maybe I didn't catch this, but was this just a routine colonoscopy for him or is he having other symptomatic problems? Probably the polyps just showed some pre-cancerous cells and in 3 months they'll take biopsies in the areas where the polyps were.

But, I'm no expert. I only know UC and UC brings about an entirely different type of colon cancer.

The other good things about this is that he had it done! More people should take heed of having colonoscopies done. We're a nation of a lot of fat/meat/preservative/chemical eating people, and our colon cancer rate is really high.

Colonoscopies are a piece of cake folks! Well, the prep for them is not exactly fun. And they can save your life.

((Kathy)) My thoughts are with you and hubby.

Thank you ((Doody)) I'm so sorry to hear you suffer from UC and can imagine your checkups would be nerve wracking.

He's had GI symptoms for a couple of years now that concern me, but I figured it was from all the pain meds he was taking for his back. He also likes very hot/spicy foods, so I figured with age it might be harder for his body to process those foods.

I wholeheartedly agree with you about the importance of colonoscopies nowadays. Food isn't what it used to be, and a lot of people (including us) can't afford organic foods. It's also hard to tell what is and what is not good for you - seems like science changes it's mind with every new study that comes out.

(((((((( kathy and hubby ))))))))

Prayers for you both.

Please keep us updated on the findings and progress.

KD

My husband had his test yesterday, and they tell us we have to wait 7-10 days for results of the biopsies. I was a little ticked because it was a different doctor/nurse at the VA. We only got to speak with the nurse (I'm assuming she was a nurse), and she acted a little surprised when I mentioned this was a follow-up colonoscopy from last June. I got the impression she thought this was a standard exam. She only mentioned three more polyps being biopsied, nothing about the previous 5 found in June. I thought that was why we had to come back in September.

Oh well. I feel like I've been holding my breath all summer long. Gotta hold it another 7-10 days.

I appreciate your thoughts and prayers.

oh Kathy so sorry that you are having to hold your breath for even more time!

and hoping for a good outcome of the tests.

Prayers for Kathy and her hubby. That waiting and fear of the unknown can make days seem like months I know. Hope all goes well,

Marilyn

PLEASE, PLEASE, Please -- get copies of the July report and get a copy
of the report when this one is available.

When you are not seeing the same doc, that is even more reason to
make sure YOU are reading the reports. No doc is going to care more
about your husband's results than you do, so you need to check them
also and if anything is suspicious or you have questions, be persistent
and get your questions answered.

My Mom had a test that the doctor verbally reported the results to
us -- turned out -- 16 months later, I got a copy and it showed
bone cancer metastasized from breast cancer. We were devastated,
this was a trusted doc who treated my whole family for years. She
could have been getting relief from pain during that 16 months had
she been treated for bone cancer. Lesson learned, get a copy of
every single test, no matter how routine.

Prayers for you and your DH,
Kat