Your dog's nose isn't a colonoscopy
March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month. So it's time for you to get your colon checked. No, your dog's nose doesn't count. It's so important that you get screened. A colonoscopy can find cancer when it's still itty bitty and is easily removed. A colonoscopy can find a small polyp that could turn into cancer before it is cancer and that polyp can be removed right then without major surgery. And, if you do this few moments of discomfort, you can save yourself all the pain you have watched me go through.
I have no family history of any type of cancer yet I was diagnosed with Stage IIIC colon cancer or more specifically T3N2M0 (for more information on diagnosing and staging) at age 38. The average person doesn't get their first colonoscopy until they are 50 but I know that I am not alone in having it this young. I don't care what age you are, if you are having any bowel problems I suggest a colonoscopy. If you have a family history of cancer you should also be checked earlier.
I had every test imaginable and cancer was never found. Even my blood did not show a higher CEA level to indicate cancer. Only the colonoscopy found it. The only foolproof test for colon cancer is the colonoscopy. The colonoscopy is vital and you must make yourself do it. Don't assume your cancer would show up on a CT scan as I did. Don't assume that all the other tests would be good enough. Don't chicken out, for fear or embarrassment, like I did. If I had went for the first one I had scheduled maybe I wouldn't be in the boat I am now.
Call today to schedule your colonoscopy. If you are over 50 and your doctor neglected to schedule one then you request it. Today, right now, don't put it off. This is your life and it's too important to lose when you can prevent it so easily. I'll even come hold your hand. I don't want to share my boat with you, you belong on the shore.
Thank you. Thank you. THANK YOU! I am very sorry to hear about your
diagnosis, especially at such a young age (my mother was 44 when she was
diagnosed, also too young), but this is so important for people to read.
Early detection is key to survive colon cancer. I certainly hope your
doctors (through your tenacity) caught it early enough. You have a new
grandbaby, after all.
I have a cute story for you Lisa. Since you mentioned dogs' noses....My
friend's relatives (I met them) have a Lab and every time someone comes
over the dog runs and sticks his nose....well....men give a squeel! So,
they correct him (and have done so since a puppy) with the word "RUDE". I
train dogs and they had no clue they have trained their Lab that when they
say Rude that the dog puts his nose.....yeah, you guessed it, but of course
THEY would not listen and to this day if you go to their house, they say
"rude" and whoever is standing up gets a nose.....
Hey Lisa, Jim had his colonoscopy today and did great!!! Everything clean
and clear...
Cathy
Greetings,
For those preparing to undergo a colonoscopy, there's a great deal of
helpful medical information about colonoscopies <a href="http://emedicin
e.com/med/topic2966.htm?src=seo_emed">here.</a>
Hey Lisa,