#2b 

Polyps are not usually a threat at that size.  And then, about half way up the sigmoid section they discovered two rather large polyps on stems; like little mushrooms.  The second one was unusually large on the monitor, very irregular in shape and multi-coloured.  My heart skipped a beat; this couldn’t be a good thing.  In my mind I knew it was something really, REALLY, bad, but I refused to think about it.  The tech’s comment was, “You’re lucky you had this done today.”

The doctor was called in to see the spectacle of this mutant polyp.  He concurred with, “I’ll bet you’re glad you came in.” and then to the tech, "Get her back in within a month."  The tube was taken out; I got dressed and waited for my husband in the waiting room; colonoscopy and polypectomy pamphlet in hand.

The next week I received a call to book my colonoscopy for June 25^th. This is a little more involved.  No solid food was allowed the whole day before the procedure and I had to drink a gallon of nasty, foul-tasting liquid to cleanse my system.  Starting in the evening I had to drink an 8-ounce glass of the concoction every hour until half the container was empty.  In the morning I was supposed to finish the other half.  My gag reflex kicked in about 2 glasses from the bottom and I promptly dumped the rest of it down the sink. By now I was passing clear liquid every few minutes and I didn’t think there was anything left to clean out, but a Fleet enema completed the prep and off we went to the hospital again. 

Mike had to drive.  I wasn’t allowed to drive myself as mild sedation is given for a colonoscopy.  It involves all of the large intestine and is therefore a little more uncomfortable.  Actually, with the sedation, this process went much more smoothly and with considerably less discomfort than the sigmoidoscopy had.  Go figure!   

#2 

My name is Judith - 
Judy to my family and long time friends, and now, in 2013, I have reached the respectable (???) age of 61.  My journey may have started many years ago (for all anyone can tell) but what I’m recording here is details since early spring of this year.

My husband, Mike, and I have 3 children, all grown.  Our family physician has been looking after our medical issues for several years - not that we have had that many.  When we turned 50 she asked us to take part in a fecal occult blood-testing program.  We simply picked up a package at the office, took very small smear samples of our stool for a couple of days and sent it off to a lab to test for blood.  Every year we have received a letter stating that both of us were clear, no blood and no concerns. 

This spring we receive another type of letter from our doctor asking us to both have a sigmoidoscopy. This is not a major procedure, but you do have to prepare your body a little bit.  In our case it was no solids before the procedure, a Fleet enema first thing in the morning, and then another administered one hour before our scheduled appointment.  We tend to do a lot of things together, so I booked our appointments back to back on May 28^th.  That way we could maximize our time at the hospital.  I went first.

Yes, it is a little uncomfortable having your posterior exposed, larger than life, on the overhead monitor while a lady tech introduces a rubber tube containing a light and camera into your anus.  It isn’t actually painful (your bowel has pressure receptors but none for pain), but when they blow in air to facilitate passage of the tube, it sure is noticed!  As the procedure advances up the side of my intestine, the tech points out a few small, white bumps . . .   Polyps. 

#1 "The Big C"

“The Big C”

     Everyone, including yours truly, shudders to think of the word “CANCER” and all of the surrounding implications.  Originally this story was going to be called “My Journey” but I soon realized that this cancer has affected more people than I thought.  It’s not all about “me” and my cancer, but more about our family, our friends, our co-workers and our support groups. 

     This cancer became a part of our life early this spring, May 2013, and I thought I would share some of my experiences, thoughts and feelings throughout this very emotional journey.

    There might be times when I use a little too much detail and graphic description, but this will be amply forewarned for those with a more delicate disposition. Watch for an asterisk (*) at the beginning of the segment; if you tend to be a bit on the squeamish side, you might want to just scroll down to the next segment.  I probably won’t post pictures, as there are more than enough of them online now, but I do welcome comments and related experiences from those who have had a similar procedure.  

It helps to know you’re not alone!