Re: You've probably already read these, but ......

[Guest guest]

Our oncologist told us all this from day 1. Phil's protocol is to have blood

Pressure checked at each chemo session before and after treatment. His blood

pressure so far has been excellent (wish mine was as good) but naturally we

will be watching to see if there are any changes.

Narice

[Guest guest]

Our oncologist told us all this from day 1. Phil's protocol is to have blood

Pressure checked at each chemo session before and after treatment. His blood

pressure so far has been excellent (wish mine was as good) but naturally we

will be watching to see if there are any changes.

Narice

[Guest guest]

I have mine the end of Sept. There's a family history on my side for polyps

so I suspect they may find one. It's a bit scary but beats the alternative. I'm

not sure what the follow-up schedule is around here but I hope it is similar

to yours Monika.

These articles disturb me because here in Erie it only takes a couple of

months to get scheduled if you have NO symptoms and you can get in immediately

if

you do.

I really think in this case it is the insurance companies. The other thing is

it has to be ordered by a specialist. Getting scheduled for that appointment

took 4 months as my specialist is in surgery or testing 4 days out of 5.

[Guest guest]

I have mine the end of Sept. There's a family history on my side for polyps

so I suspect they may find one. It's a bit scary but beats the alternative. I'm

not sure what the follow-up schedule is around here but I hope it is similar

to yours Monika.

These articles disturb me because here in Erie it only takes a couple of

months to get scheduled if you have NO symptoms and you can get in immediately

if

you do.

I really think in this case it is the insurance companies. The other thing is

it has to be ordered by a specialist. Getting scheduled for that appointment

took 4 months as my specialist is in surgery or testing 4 days out of 5.

[Guest guest]

I have mine the end of Sept. There's a family history on my side for polyps

so I suspect they may find one. It's a bit scary but beats the alternative. I'm

not sure what the follow-up schedule is around here but I hope it is similar

to yours Monika.

These articles disturb me because here in Erie it only takes a couple of

months to get scheduled if you have NO symptoms and you can get in immediately

if

you do.

I really think in this case it is the insurance companies. The other thing is

it has to be ordered by a specialist. Getting scheduled for that appointment

took 4 months as my specialist is in surgery or testing 4 days out of 5.

[Guest guest]

Baylee,

I am your age and have had three colonoscopies thus far, twice polyps

were removed. The doctor recommended the next one in two years.

Five seems too long to wait.

Sharon

> I had a colonoscopy at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN in January, and

> only one very small polyp was removed. The Dr recommended I wait 5

> years before having another colonoscopy.

> My father died of colon cancer, I'm 60 years old, so I'm wondering

if

> 5 years is too long to wait.

>

> I came across this site this morning, and the experts can't seem to

> agree on this either!

> But, at any rate, I wasn't aware of the new warnings on Avastin.

> I also take calcium supplements because I have never liked to drink

> milk, and they can't seem to come to an agreement on the benefits

of

> taking supplements VS drinking milk either.

>

> Anyway, on the off chance that you all haven't seen this stuff,

this

> is the URL.

>

> http://www.coloncancertoday.com/

>

> http://www.cancernews.com/colon.htm

>

> http://www2.kumc.edu/kci/cancerlinks/colon.htm

>

> You're all in my thoughts and prayers. Have a good day

> everyone. ..... Baylee

[Guest guest]

Baylee,

I am your age and have had three colonoscopies thus far, twice polyps

were removed. The doctor recommended the next one in two years.

Five seems too long to wait.

Sharon

> I had a colonoscopy at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN in January, and

> only one very small polyp was removed. The Dr recommended I wait 5

> years before having another colonoscopy.

> My father died of colon cancer, I'm 60 years old, so I'm wondering

if

> 5 years is too long to wait.

>

> I came across this site this morning, and the experts can't seem to

> agree on this either!

> But, at any rate, I wasn't aware of the new warnings on Avastin.

> I also take calcium supplements because I have never liked to drink

> milk, and they can't seem to come to an agreement on the benefits

of

> taking supplements VS drinking milk either.

>

> Anyway, on the off chance that you all haven't seen this stuff,

this

> is the URL.

>

> http://www.coloncancertoday.com/

>

> http://www.cancernews.com/colon.htm

>

> http://www2.kumc.edu/kci/cancerlinks/colon.htm

>

> You're all in my thoughts and prayers. Have a good day

> everyone. ..... Baylee

[Guest guest]

Baylee,

I am your age and have had three colonoscopies thus far, twice polyps

were removed. The doctor recommended the next one in two years.

Five seems too long to wait.

Sharon

> I had a colonoscopy at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN in January, and

> only one very small polyp was removed. The Dr recommended I wait 5

> years before having another colonoscopy.

> My father died of colon cancer, I'm 60 years old, so I'm wondering

if

> 5 years is too long to wait.

>

> I came across this site this morning, and the experts can't seem to

> agree on this either!

> But, at any rate, I wasn't aware of the new warnings on Avastin.

> I also take calcium supplements because I have never liked to drink

> milk, and they can't seem to come to an agreement on the benefits

of

> taking supplements VS drinking milk either.

>

> Anyway, on the off chance that you all haven't seen this stuff,

this

> is the URL.

>

> http://www.coloncancertoday.com/

>

> http://www.cancernews.com/colon.htm

>

> http://www2.kumc.edu/kci/cancerlinks/colon.htm

>

> You're all in my thoughts and prayers. Have a good day

> everyone. ..... Baylee

[Guest guest]

Baylee, I had my first ever colonoscopy October 2003 prompted by

Bert's diagnosis of stage III colon cancer July 2003. No history

whatsoever in my family. They found two polyps (pre-cancerous) and I

am scheduled to have a repeat colonoscopy this October...doc

immediately told me that he will do it again in ONE year. If I

am " clean " this time, then follow-up will be in three years and every

three years thereafter.

My opinion....5 years is old school and too long to wait. Although

generally a slow growing cancer, I've discovered in all my research

on colon cancer that some of it moves pretty darn fast.

Monika

> I had a colonoscopy at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN in January, and

> only one very small polyp was removed. The Dr recommended I wait 5

> years before having another colonoscopy.

> My father died of colon cancer, I'm 60 years old, so I'm wondering

if

> 5 years is too long to wait.

>

> I came across this site this morning, and the experts can't seem to

> agree on this either!

> But, at any rate, I wasn't aware of the new warnings on Avastin.

> I also take calcium supplements because I have never liked to drink

> milk, and they can't seem to come to an agreement on the benefits

of

> taking supplements VS drinking milk either.

>

> Anyway, on the off chance that you all haven't seen this stuff,

this

> is the URL.

>

> http://www.coloncancertoday.com/

>

> http://www.cancernews.com/colon.htm

>

> http://www2.kumc.edu/kci/cancerlinks/colon.htm

>

> You're all in my thoughts and prayers. Have a good day

> everyone. ..... Baylee

[Guest guest]

Baylee, I had my first ever colonoscopy October 2003 prompted by

Bert's diagnosis of stage III colon cancer July 2003. No history

whatsoever in my family. They found two polyps (pre-cancerous) and I

am scheduled to have a repeat colonoscopy this October...doc

immediately told me that he will do it again in ONE year. If I

am " clean " this time, then follow-up will be in three years and every

three years thereafter.

My opinion....5 years is old school and too long to wait. Although

generally a slow growing cancer, I've discovered in all my research

on colon cancer that some of it moves pretty darn fast.

Monika

> I had a colonoscopy at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN in January, and

> only one very small polyp was removed. The Dr recommended I wait 5

> years before having another colonoscopy.

> My father died of colon cancer, I'm 60 years old, so I'm wondering

if

> 5 years is too long to wait.

>

> I came across this site this morning, and the experts can't seem to

> agree on this either!

> But, at any rate, I wasn't aware of the new warnings on Avastin.

> I also take calcium supplements because I have never liked to drink

> milk, and they can't seem to come to an agreement on the benefits

of

> taking supplements VS drinking milk either.

>

> Anyway, on the off chance that you all haven't seen this stuff,

this

> is the URL.

>

> http://www.coloncancertoday.com/

>

> http://www.cancernews.com/colon.htm

>

> http://www2.kumc.edu/kci/cancerlinks/colon.htm

>

> You're all in my thoughts and prayers. Have a good day

> everyone. ..... Baylee

[Guest guest]

Dearest Sharon,

My heart goes out to you with this situation. Five years married? Must

still feel pretty new. I don't know if you are young or re-marrieds, but the

best

advice I can think of is that gentle persuasion as to what your husband has

to lose and what he has around him in his life to fight for may be the best

tactic. You of course are probably one of the best things in his life. He can

fight for you! He can fight for children, for his work, for his future plans,

for those in his life that depend on him in any large or small way. I don't

mean guilt tripping or badgering of any kind, but sometimes it is truely the

little things that can make a difference. When the days are bleak and he's in a

dark mood, a little ray of light here and there can help slowly brighten the

picture. Sometimes it takes looking down and feeling down, to look at your

feet to know that you are moving forward one small step at a time.

Keep him in your prayers daily, hourly even. Ask God to bless you both your

bodies and your decisions. This is where the respect comes in. I believe any

decision reached with prayerful countenance will be blessed. Although it may

be difficult for you to understand his decision, it ultimately has to be up

to him. Each of us going through this has moments when we think we JUST WON'T

do that or this! But then the " limit " slowly lengthens and we find ourselves

doing more than what we thought we could or would endure. But there are other

times when I think the person knows deep down what they can't handle any

longer or don't want to put themselves or family through. Once you are in the

game so to speak it's hard to stop...so I think others realize that before

getting too far involved. Decisions become very difficult to make once you are

in

the process of doctors, and treatments, and hospitals and all of it. But you

are his best ally in this - it may be that he's more afraid to put you through

this than for himself. You need to help him in the decisions, by announcing

your support and strength and belief in him in a strong and loving way.

I didn't mean to be so lengthy..but there are a number of ways to look at

this. And all of this is just my opinion, from my own experience with my cancer,

and having been caretaker to several others. I hope that it helps. God bless

you both.

Sheila

[Guest guest]

Dearest Sharon,

My heart goes out to you with this situation. Five years married? Must

still feel pretty new. I don't know if you are young or re-marrieds, but the

best

advice I can think of is that gentle persuasion as to what your husband has

to lose and what he has around him in his life to fight for may be the best

tactic. You of course are probably one of the best things in his life. He can

fight for you! He can fight for children, for his work, for his future plans,

for those in his life that depend on him in any large or small way. I don't

mean guilt tripping or badgering of any kind, but sometimes it is truely the

little things that can make a difference. When the days are bleak and he's in a

dark mood, a little ray of light here and there can help slowly brighten the

picture. Sometimes it takes looking down and feeling down, to look at your

feet to know that you are moving forward one small step at a time.

Keep him in your prayers daily, hourly even. Ask God to bless you both your

bodies and your decisions. This is where the respect comes in. I believe any

decision reached with prayerful countenance will be blessed. Although it may

be difficult for you to understand his decision, it ultimately has to be up

to him. Each of us going through this has moments when we think we JUST WON'T

do that or this! But then the " limit " slowly lengthens and we find ourselves

doing more than what we thought we could or would endure. But there are other

times when I think the person knows deep down what they can't handle any

longer or don't want to put themselves or family through. Once you are in the

game so to speak it's hard to stop...so I think others realize that before

getting too far involved. Decisions become very difficult to make once you are

in

the process of doctors, and treatments, and hospitals and all of it. But you

are his best ally in this - it may be that he's more afraid to put you through

this than for himself. You need to help him in the decisions, by announcing

your support and strength and belief in him in a strong and loving way.

I didn't mean to be so lengthy..but there are a number of ways to look at

this. And all of this is just my opinion, from my own experience with my cancer,

and having been caretaker to several others. I hope that it helps. God bless

you both.

Sheila

[Guest guest]

Dearest Sharon,

My heart goes out to you with this situation. Five years married? Must

still feel pretty new. I don't know if you are young or re-marrieds, but the

best

advice I can think of is that gentle persuasion as to what your husband has

to lose and what he has around him in his life to fight for may be the best

tactic. You of course are probably one of the best things in his life. He can

fight for you! He can fight for children, for his work, for his future plans,

for those in his life that depend on him in any large or small way. I don't

mean guilt tripping or badgering of any kind, but sometimes it is truely the

little things that can make a difference. When the days are bleak and he's in a

dark mood, a little ray of light here and there can help slowly brighten the

picture. Sometimes it takes looking down and feeling down, to look at your

feet to know that you are moving forward one small step at a time.

Keep him in your prayers daily, hourly even. Ask God to bless you both your

bodies and your decisions. This is where the respect comes in. I believe any

decision reached with prayerful countenance will be blessed. Although it may

be difficult for you to understand his decision, it ultimately has to be up

to him. Each of us going through this has moments when we think we JUST WON'T

do that or this! But then the " limit " slowly lengthens and we find ourselves

doing more than what we thought we could or would endure. But there are other

times when I think the person knows deep down what they can't handle any

longer or don't want to put themselves or family through. Once you are in the

game so to speak it's hard to stop...so I think others realize that before

getting too far involved. Decisions become very difficult to make once you are

in

the process of doctors, and treatments, and hospitals and all of it. But you

are his best ally in this - it may be that he's more afraid to put you through

this than for himself. You need to help him in the decisions, by announcing

your support and strength and belief in him in a strong and loving way.

I didn't mean to be so lengthy..but there are a number of ways to look at

this. And all of this is just my opinion, from my own experience with my cancer,

and having been caretaker to several others. I hope that it helps. God bless

you both.

Sheila

[Guest guest]

Again...exactly on target a!!!!

Docs get tested earlier then they test their patients.

Part of that is because insurance won't pay to cover people younger than 50

(yet) so their hands are somewhat tied. But this isn't the entire picture.

The guidelines say everyone in the colon cancer patients family up to ten years

younger than the youngest family member diagnosed with colon cancer or polyps

(Docs often ignore the polyps part).

My sister was 44. I am 9 years younger. My doc refused to do my screening

based on " You are too young. " So we " mutually agreed " that I needed a different

doc.

-Priscilla

>

>

> Date: 2004/08/28 Sat AM 09:02:51 EDT

> To: colon_cancer_support

> Subject: Re: You've probably already read these, but

.......

>

>

[Guest guest]

Again...exactly on target a!!!!

Docs get tested earlier then they test their patients.

Part of that is because insurance won't pay to cover people younger than 50

(yet) so their hands are somewhat tied. But this isn't the entire picture.

The guidelines say everyone in the colon cancer patients family up to ten years

younger than the youngest family member diagnosed with colon cancer or polyps

(Docs often ignore the polyps part).

My sister was 44. I am 9 years younger. My doc refused to do my screening

based on " You are too young. " So we " mutually agreed " that I needed a different

doc.

-Priscilla

>

>

> Date: 2004/08/28 Sat AM 09:02:51 EDT

> To: colon_cancer_support

> Subject: Re: You've probably already read these, but

.......

>

>

[Guest guest]

Again...exactly on target a!!!!

Docs get tested earlier then they test their patients.

Part of that is because insurance won't pay to cover people younger than 50

(yet) so their hands are somewhat tied. But this isn't the entire picture.

The guidelines say everyone in the colon cancer patients family up to ten years

younger than the youngest family member diagnosed with colon cancer or polyps

(Docs often ignore the polyps part).

My sister was 44. I am 9 years younger. My doc refused to do my screening

based on " You are too young. " So we " mutually agreed " that I needed a different

doc.

-Priscilla

>

>

> Date: 2004/08/28 Sat AM 09:02:51 EDT

> To: colon_cancer_support

> Subject: Re: You've probably already read these, but

.......

>

>

[Guest guest]

Good for you in finding another doctor. I was 37 when I had my polyps removed

and my brother was 42 when he was diagnosed meaning if his were in him for 10

yrs then he was 32 when he had polyps. The dr told me mine were there for quite

awhile too because if I would've waited any longer I would have been diagnosed

with Colon Cancer instead of just polyps.

Dianne

Priscilla Savary wrote:

Again...exactly on target a!!!!

Docs get tested earlier then they test their patients.

Part of that is because insurance won't pay to cover people younger than 50

(yet) so their hands are somewhat tied. But this isn't the entire picture.

The guidelines say everyone in the colon cancer patients family up to ten years

younger than the youngest family member diagnosed with colon cancer or polyps

(Docs often ignore the polyps part).

My sister was 44. I am 9 years younger. My doc refused to do my screening

based on " You are too young. " So we " mutually agreed " that I needed a different

doc.

-Priscilla

>

>

> Date: 2004/08/28 Sat AM 09:02:51 EDT

> To: colon_cancer_support

> Subject: Re: You've probably already read these, but

.......

>

>

[Guest guest]

Good for you in finding another doctor. I was 37 when I had my polyps removed

and my brother was 42 when he was diagnosed meaning if his were in him for 10

yrs then he was 32 when he had polyps. The dr told me mine were there for quite

awhile too because if I would've waited any longer I would have been diagnosed

with Colon Cancer instead of just polyps.

Dianne

Priscilla Savary wrote:

Again...exactly on target a!!!!

Docs get tested earlier then they test their patients.

Part of that is because insurance won't pay to cover people younger than 50

(yet) so their hands are somewhat tied. But this isn't the entire picture.

The guidelines say everyone in the colon cancer patients family up to ten years

younger than the youngest family member diagnosed with colon cancer or polyps

(Docs often ignore the polyps part).

My sister was 44. I am 9 years younger. My doc refused to do my screening

based on " You are too young. " So we " mutually agreed " that I needed a different

doc.

-Priscilla

>

>

> Date: 2004/08/28 Sat AM 09:02:51 EDT

> To: colon_cancer_support

> Subject: Re: You've probably already read these, but

.......

>

>

[Guest guest]

Good for you in finding another doctor. I was 37 when I had my polyps removed

and my brother was 42 when he was diagnosed meaning if his were in him for 10

yrs then he was 32 when he had polyps. The dr told me mine were there for quite

awhile too because if I would've waited any longer I would have been diagnosed

with Colon Cancer instead of just polyps.

Dianne

Priscilla Savary wrote:

Again...exactly on target a!!!!

Docs get tested earlier then they test their patients.

Part of that is because insurance won't pay to cover people younger than 50

(yet) so their hands are somewhat tied. But this isn't the entire picture.

The guidelines say everyone in the colon cancer patients family up to ten years

younger than the youngest family member diagnosed with colon cancer or polyps

(Docs often ignore the polyps part).

My sister was 44. I am 9 years younger. My doc refused to do my screening

based on " You are too young. " So we " mutually agreed " that I needed a different

doc.

-Priscilla

>

>

> Date: 2004/08/28 Sat AM 09:02:51 EDT

> To: colon_cancer_support

> Subject: Re: You've probably already read these, but

.......

>

>

[Guest guest]

Chemo is treatment to kill cancer cells with drugs(chemicals)and may

be systemic(given intravenously or by mouth and travels thoughout

the body,or it is sometimes targeted to a particular area such as a

hepatic pump that delivers the medication directly to the

liver.There are many different 'chemo'drugs and regimes used to

treat different types of cancers.Each has its own set of side

effects,effectiveness rates,etc.Radiation is a process that uses

radioactive waves to kill cancer cells.It is usually similar to

having an xray but many times stronger.It is used when a tumor is

more difinitive and isolated.Which form(s)of treatment an oncologist

orders depend on the type,location and stage of tumor growth and

disease as well as the patient's general health.It is different for

everyone.

There are many links on the sidebar of this site to information

about these things.Even sites like yahoohealth.com/cancer will

answer most basic questions for you.

Again,Jinny,don't drive yourself crazy with cancer info until after

you've had your colonoscopy and biopsies if there are any

polyps/tumors.I know that is easier said than done,but the odds

really are in your favor that this is something else entirely.

Take care!

H

> Is there a difference between chemo and radiation? Why is one

recommended

> over another?

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Chemo is treatment to kill cancer cells with drugs(chemicals)and may

be systemic(given intravenously or by mouth and travels thoughout

the body,or it is sometimes targeted to a particular area such as a

hepatic pump that delivers the medication directly to the

liver.There are many different 'chemo'drugs and regimes used to

treat different types of cancers.Each has its own set of side

effects,effectiveness rates,etc.Radiation is a process that uses

radioactive waves to kill cancer cells.It is usually similar to

having an xray but many times stronger.It is used when a tumor is

more difinitive and isolated.Which form(s)of treatment an oncologist

orders depend on the type,location and stage of tumor growth and

disease as well as the patient's general health.It is different for

everyone.

There are many links on the sidebar of this site to information

about these things.Even sites like yahoohealth.com/cancer will

answer most basic questions for you.

Again,Jinny,don't drive yourself crazy with cancer info until after

you've had your colonoscopy and biopsies if there are any

polyps/tumors.I know that is easier said than done,but the odds

really are in your favor that this is something else entirely.

Take care!

H

> Is there a difference between chemo and radiation? Why is one

recommended

> over another?

>

>

>