Colon Removal - Lynn/Peg

[Guest guest]

Lynn and Peg,

Just got back from another weekend of motorhoming. The emails really mount

up when you don't read them everyday. In answer to your questions about my

colon being removed, I will try to be as brief as possible.

I had my last colonoscopy in August, at which time the dr. and I had a brief

discussion just prior to him doing the procedure and he told me he thought it

would be a good idea if I had my colon removed since I faced another 20 or 30

years of having this procedure done every year. And based on my history of

having UC since childhood, PSC, and my mother having had a malignant

polyp removed, he felt it was warranted.

After the procedure, he said my colon looked good, but to consider the colon

surgery and get back to him. Two weeks later, I received a letter from him

stating that the biopsies showed low grade dysplasia and he was scheduling

another colonoscopy in six months.

To make a long story short, my UC has been in remission over 10 years and

I haven't even been on any meds for it. I really feel that I need a second opinion

on this one, especially since he made the recommendation prior to even doing

the colonoscopy.

Lynn, I was wondering if Dr. T did Mike's colonoscopys. I know he specializes

in the liver, but I was hoping he would also take care of the UC.

Peg, I think the doctor's thinking is that there is a greater risk of colon cancer

in patients with both PSC and UC, but I agree, it is a drastic measure unless

there definitely is cancer or high grade dysplasia. I feel it is out of the question

unless absolutely necessary since, having PSC, I will probably be faced with a

liver transplant somewhere in the future and I would prefer to do it with colon in

tact, if at all possible.

Carol