Health Diaries > Colon Cancer > HNPCC Survivor
January 31, 2007
A Family History of Colon Cancer
I am a pharmacist who was diagnosed with colon cancer at the age of 42. I feel that by sharing my story, it may benefit other colon cancer patients, and may even encourage people to seek prophylactic screening.
I have a strong family history of colon cancer on my father's side of the family. I requested a colonoscopy when I turned 40, but was told I only needed a flexible sigmoidoscopy. My flex sig results were normal so I was relieved. Approximately 18 months later, I was having GI problems, and again requested a colonoscopy, but my healthcare provider felt my symptoms were due to food issues, and said she would keep me on an every 5 year schedule for colonoscopy.
Long story short, I ended up in the emergency room with severe anemia 6 months later. A colonoscopy was done which showed a large tumor on the right side of my colon. A CAT scan revealed a tumor on my right kidney. The good news is that I am still here to write about it almost three years later. More to follow in future diary submissions.
Posted by Walter on January 31, 2007 3:00 AM | DIGG | del.icio.us | furl
Welcome to Health Diaries, Walter!
You're an inspiration!
Look forward to your next entry!
I am also 42 - had colon cancer at 39. Got tested and have hnpcc all through the family. the toughest part of it all is that i have 4 kids. God knows how to handle this, but i sure don't. however, i'm healthy now, and having a great life, so never give up, never give up, never give up.
I was diagnosed at the age of 41 after doctors told me it was just diverticulitis at the age of 37. I was sent for a cat scan and nothing showed up. I found this out after my diagnosis: I should have been screened at the age of 40 since my mother had colon cancer. Doctors told me my insurance would not cover it. None of my mother's doctors or my doctors told me this. I was getting checkups yearly and sometimes 2 x's a year for my symptoms. Please go to www.myspace.com/dmsteach to sign my guestbook to support colon cancer legislation in all 50 states. Only 25 states mandate insurance companies to pay for colonoscopies. Perhaps this is why we at younger ages are having trouble getting screening coverage. Thanks.
I remember being told I had cancer. My whole world shook. I didn't even know where I was walking, whom I was talking to, what they were saying, everything was a blur. All I remembered was going through the motions, getting pet scans, going to 8 different doctors at once, getting ultrasounds, a catheter implanted inside my chest. I was put to sleep 3 times in one week after I was first diagnosed. I remember waiting all day by the phone for my oncologist to call and tell me if the cancer had spread to any other part besides my rectum. I couldn't stay by myself at my house. I went to my friends where she let me lay on her sofa for I had not one full hour of sleep. Please go to www.myspace.com/dmsteach to sign my guestbook so noone else has to go through this. Thank you.
I remember being told I had cancer. My whole world shook. I didn't even know where I was walking, whom I was talking to, what they were saying, everything was a blur. All I remembered was going through the motions, getting pet scans, going to 8 different doctors at once, getting ultrasounds, a catheter implanted inside my chest. I was put to sleep 3 times in one week after I was first diagnosed. I remember waiting all day by the phone for my oncologist to call and tell me if the cancer had spread to any other part besides my rectum. I couldn't stay by myself at my house. I went to my friends where she let me lay on her sofa for I had not one full hour of sleep. Please go to www.myspace.com/dmsteach to sign my guestbook so noone else has to go through this. Thank you.
