Petrified of colon cancer

[colorado_girl]

I'm so scared because I suspect I may have colon cancer.  My symptoms are:  microscopic blood in the fecal test administered by the dr, diarrea, and back pain.  I don't have bloody stools and haven't lost any weight but from what I've read, some people are practically symptomless.  

I have an appt.in 3 weeks for a colonoscopy.  I'm so worried that I can't think straight.  I know that no one can help me out there but I needed to tell someone who is not related to me.

Thanks for listening

[colorado_girl]

Thank you for your advice.  I was on the phone first this morning with my most desperate voice and the lady found an appt. for me on Tuesday at 10:00 (instead of appt. I initially had 3 weeks later).  While I am still scared, I will be relieved to know exactly where I stand.

I hope I have the same results as you, but I may not.  As a matter of fact, I doubt I will. I guess I figure out where to go from there.  What a nightmare.

Thanks again.

[betty_red]

Hi!
I know exactly what you're going through. I went through the same thing last month. I had gone to the doctor for my annual physical. When I went to get my blood work done, my doctor gave me one of those hemocult home tests to take home with me. In case you're not familiar with them, there are 3 sample cards and you take a stool sample 3 different days and send them back to the lab. I did this, sent them in, and really didn't think too much more about it.
Well, I was out one day when my cell rang. It was my doctor who told me that 1 of 3 of the tests that I'd sent in was positive. My whole body went numb. She told me that she wanted me to go in for a colonoscopy. I had my colonoscopy in 2004, after I turned 50. I wasn't due until later this year to have another (I was told to have one every 5 years). I immediately went home and tried to make an appointment; however, they told me that I wouldn't be able to get in to see a doctor the the initial consultation for about 3 weeks. Well, I knew that I couldn't go for 3 weeks feeling the way that I did. So, I started calling almost every hour on the hour to see if they had had any cancellations with any of the doctor, at any of the clinics. My persistence paid off. I was able through a cancellation to get in 2 days after I got the results. I went in that Friday for the consult with the doctor. He told me that he wouldn't have any openings for almost 2 weeks. He then told me that the following week he would be at the hospital, and that if I wanted to come to the hospital, he would do my colonoscopy for me there on an outpatient basis. I was so happy and grateful, because he didn't have to do that. He just saw how desperate and worried I was. So, after prepping the following Wednesday, I went in that Thursday and had my colonoscopy done. Everything turned out just fine....thank God! I advise you to try to get in asap, for your peace of mind. Before I went in for the procedure, I couldn't eat or sleep, and I stayed on the computer looking up info on colon cancer. You know that when the majority of people have something wrong physically with them, they assume the worse, and I'm no exception. How old are you? There are quite a few things that can cause a positive test result. Also, it is said (even by the doctor that did my colonoscopy)
that those hemocult tests can show false positive results. So, keep trying to call to see about cancellation posibilities.

[colorado_girl]

Hi, I turned 51 last week.

I have been scouring the internet for info on colon cancer and after I type in my symptoms I am basically given 8 months to live (exaggeration but the prognosis appears quite dire).

I hope I have caught this thing early.  I guess it's impossible to know for sure until my colonoscopy.

I woke up last night around 3:00AM and could literally feel bad things occuring in my body.  I can visualize the conversation with the doctor as he/she tells me that I have late stage colon cancer. I've got to stop overreacting, I know.  

Thanks for your kind words.

[Morecambe]

You don't say how old you are - but colon cancer is very rare before the age of ~40.  Maybe if you are significantly younger than 40 then this may give you some reassurance before your colonoscopy.

Even if you are desperately unlucky and have developed colon cancer, then you have done the right thing by seeking medical help early because this disease is quite curable if detected and treated early.

Have you typed "colon cancer" into google/yahoo because I fear that you may perhaps be struggling with erroneous and over-pessimistic information.  There are many other complaints that are consistent with blood ex rectum and which are less sinister than colon cancer.

Good luck and do try to stay positive.

regards
Morecambe

[colorado_girl]

I have had diarrea for some time but some foods affect me more than others so I thought it was a reaction to bad food.  I went to the Dr. originally because of my back ache which I'd had for 3-4 days (unusual). When the doc put all my symptoms together she said that I needed a colonoscopy asap and gave me a look like I'm on death's doorstep.  I could kick myself that I didn't go in earlier but with no family history and no detectable blood in my stool I just didn't think colon cancer. I have been awful tired lately but I also have not been exercising so I thought that was why.

What a price to pay for not being more attentive!  I cried for 2 hours last night.  What a baby I am but I can't help it!

Thank you both for responding.  It's so nice to hear from people who understand this terrible thing.

[coughting]

I have chrons and when my chrons was active my back hurt all the time.  
Even if you have colon cancer they would have caught it early.
My chrons had left about 1 1/2 feet of my small intestine in a mess.  I had lots of fever, pain etc..
Then I had a fistula to the bladder and so they had to do a bowel resection, which I fought tooth and nail.  However, it is a good thing they did because I did have colon cancer in the bad intestine.  It was contained and only the removal was necessary.
No chemo etc.  Just check ups with my oncologist to watch it.
That was June of 07 and so far so good.  
I have a coloscopy tomorrow which is loads of fun but really only the prep is worst part and it is not too bad.

[crambone]

I WOULDNT WORRY AS MUCH ABOUT THAT,,,MABY CROHNS?
MABY COLITIS?
WHAT LED YOU TO GO GET A FECAL TEST TO BEGIN WITH,,IT WASNT JUST BACK PAIN I TAKE IT.
ARE YOU ALWAYS RUN DOWN?
YOU SAY YOU HAVE NOT LOST WEIGHT,THATS A GOOD THING.
WHAT OTHER THINGS MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE ITS THIS TERRIBLE DISEASE?