So I went and got cancer

Dude that sucks. Hope the op goes well and the recovery is quick!

Good news that it was caught early. Wishing you a speedy recovery and good luck.

6 years ago I went for a basic check up. Sonogram found a cancerous kidney. Surgery went well, all gone. Very little scarring. I had no symptoms at all, caught early, looks like you are in the same spot. Be concerned, but don't panic. Looks like early discovery may have saved you. Everybody, get those checkups!!

It all sucks, but earlier is better. Wishing you the best. Let me know if you need an ear or any info (I work in a cancer center).

Good luck and speedy recovery.

Like said, get those checkups. Former co-worker in his 50's went 10 years w/o a checkup because cost of insurance and well, stubbornness. He's lucky to be alive.

In reply to Wayslow: You "caught" cancer sneaking up on you.How far would it have gone? To far,unfortunately. As cwh says, get those checkups.Physicals take less time than an engine swap, or epic roadtrip and keep you around for the enjoyment. To many friends and family dead from this, eyewitness to the suffering it causes . Nice catch wayslow, sounds like you get to snuff this berkeleyer

Man, cancer is being a jerk around here lately!

At least you caught it early. Sucks that you have to go through with all of this though. Here's hoping everything goes well and you'll be back wrenching in no time!

Good Luck with the surgery.

Sucks that you got. Good that you caught it relatively early.

Good luck beating this thing. Sounds like your chances are pretty good.

I hate colonoscopies. But you are reminding me why I need to do it anyway. Kick its butt!

itsarebuild wrote: I hate colonoscopies. But you are reminding me why I need to do it anyway. Kick its butt!

Yep. I've been procrastinating on scheduling mine for a month now. I need to do that ASAP.
My thoughts are with you Wayslow.

itsarebuild wrote: I hate colonoscopies. But you are reminding me why I need to do it anyway. Kick its butt!

Had my first one a couple months ago. Honestly it wasn't a problem at all. It wasn't FUN, but it wasn't a problem for more than about 18 hours from the start of my cleanse until I was enjoying a big American diner breakfast after the procedure. And it never hurt in any way.

If colonoscopies are a pain for anyone, find a new place to go for them. The water pills the night before was the only suckage for me. Seriously, no pain, no post procedure soreness or grooginess. I was already on a restricted diet, so other then being thirsty afterwards, no issues regarding hunger. Just make sure your phone or tablet has a full charge for the 90 minutes or so that you'll be parked within 4 ft of the bathroom and that you have at least one roll of the softest paper that you can find (bit why else would you ever purchase any other type of paper).

You've inspired me to go search for a new doctor/finally get a check up. Don't want to get into details but there is some weird stuff going on down there that the internet tells me is ok but secretly freaks me out because of posts like these.

Good luck soldier.

Cancer is the kind of surprise no one likes, sorry to hear about your diagnosis

Buuuuuuuuuuut, as others have been quick to point out, consider yourself quite fortunate to have received the early diagnosis. My dad had a bout with prostate cancer right about 4 years ago now. His company had started requiring yearly physicals for all employees that year, which they had not done in the past. Because my uncle had been diagnosed with prostate cancer the year prior, that physical included a PSA screening, which ended up leading to the cancer diagnosis.

Dad was completely asymptomatic and otherwise in pretty fantastic shape for a 50 something dude, so it could very well have gone undiagnosed for quite some time if not for that bit of dumb luck and coincidence. Instead, it was caught early and dealt with in a single surgery, with no chemo or radiation required. Within a couple months he was right back to normal and you would have never known the difference.

So here's to staying positive and looking on the bright side of your situation. Best of luck to you and your loved ones.

Cancer deserves a high five...in the face...with a chainsaw

Kick its ass Sea-bass

We are all pulling for ya!

You got this!!!!!!!

The GRM collective has your back!

Sounds like your doctor kicks ass (pun intended). Hopefully catching it early saves your health/life.

Fingers crossed for you too.

For anyone who is putting off having a colonoscopy I second what many have already said on here. I'm going through the purge again today in prep for tomorrow's surgery and although it won't be fun it isn't a big deal. The stuff you have to take mixes with cold water and isn't unpleasant tasting. Kinda tastes like lime Gatorade. As far as the results, I've had worse with the flu. As far as the actual exam goes they knock you out and you wake up a few minutes later in recovery. No pain, no discomfort and you return to normal life the next day.

To answer a couple of questions. There's no plan for radiation or chemo unless the cancer has spread. I'll be in the hospital for a few days then home for about 6 weeks.

Try a colonoscopy without any anesthesia some time. The nurse says "You are NOT a wuss."

Break a leg, there, guy. You get to go home when you poo. The recovery is the tough part. As I would tell the Hispanic patients in my hospital TexMex Spanglish: No lifting your six brothers.

Question: I've heard some insurance carriers will not pay for anesthesia associated with a colonoscopy. Has anyone had the procedure done without anesthesia? If so, how would you characterize it other than the obvious "pain in the ass?"

In reply to Dr. Hess: Did my first colonoscopy without anesthesia, had some issues and didn't want to alarm anyone. Doctor was not amused but did the procedure anyway. VERY uncomfortable but still better than the alternative. Lost a very good friend to colon cancer last year, unnecessarily .

Yeah, like I said. Went in for sigmoidoscopy, turned into a colonoscopy mid procedure. No anesthesia needed for a sigmoidoscopy. Didn't even have an IV hooked up. The surgeon said, we'll have to reschedule for a colonoscopy. I said "Just do it." The pain is not in the ass. It is in the gut.

Given the side effects of coming down from versed and fentenil, I'm not sure which is worse. 15 minutes of PITA (so to speak) or two days of fog.

In reply to Jerry From LA: BS.. Do you get dental work without novocaine ??? Marquis DeSade health group?