Lacking a major symptom?

marysco · New User Joined: 20 Apr 2008 Posts: 1

Hi to all,

I am new here, and in need of some candid answers from those of you that know Crying or Very sad

. For the past several months I have had many incidents of blood in my stool (a lot), several times, and as recent 2 wks ago I thought I had made a 2nd bowel movement when in fact it was pure blood and blood clots. I have observed very narrowed stools, a feeling that I'm not "done", and extreme fatigue. So of course, I've googled and have felt relief that I do not have one of the main symptoms i.e. "weight loss". The other different thing is that I was always a once a day, and now there are 2-3 in the morning of flattened curly stools. I had terrible hemmorhoids after delivering each of my children, but they went away and I never felt them again. However, I've given that possibility a good deal of the cause. Of course you all will recommend a colonoscopy, which I will make an appointment for this week. No insurance - sigh. My father died from advanced colon cancer that spread to liver and lung. I have no idea if genetics play a part as they do with breast cancer.

I guess I'm trying to find out if any of you had the lack of weight loss symptom.

Bless you all for answering.

Thank you,

Mary

brainman · Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 6:20 pm Post subject: Re: Lacking a major symptom?

Hi Mary, I am very sorry about your health concerns. I do not know what is causing your symptoms. You really do need to see a doctor. Is the blood bright red? Normally, that is not a sign of Colorectal Cancer but without a doctor checking you, there is no way to be 100% sure. With your family history of colon cancer, you really should be checked anyhow.

You are in my thoughts and prayers.
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DulcimerGal · Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 9:26 pm Post subject: Re: Lacking a major symptom?

Hi Mary,

I do not want to scare you further, but I will tell you that your symptoms are much like mine were. I was diagnosed in February. What put me in the hospital was passing blood and blood clots, it turned out the tumor I had was ulcerated, and that was what was bleeding. My tumor is rectal, and they can be different and are treated differently than those found in the colon.

I had no weight loss. I also had similar changes in my bowel movements, but just kept telling myself it was changes in my diet and excercise that caused me to go more often. The feeling of not being done was the same, I told myself that must be hemorhoids.

Please go and get that colonoscopy. You know you have to.
Don't wait. Do it today if you have not done it already.
The fear is worse than knowing, and knowing will give you peace, especially if it turns out to be something else.

Then post and let us know how things go.
I will pray for you.
Good luck

DulcimerGal
_________________
Rectal Cancer diagnosed Valentines Day 2008
Finished 6 weeks of radiation and chemo 4/23/08
Surgery to remove tumor - June 18th
6 months Chemo to follow

REB · Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 9:09 am Post subject: Re: Lacking a major symptom?

Go see a doctor. Its probably nothing, but if it is cancer, its very important you catch it as early as possible. I was terrified while waiting for the results of both of my PET scans, but I had to do it. We had to know what was going on.

The earlier you catch it the less intense your treatment would be and the better the survival rate. It makes a big difference.

Believe me, I know how scary it is waiting to find out what is wrong- picturing the worst case scenario, but you can not stick your head in the sand on this. Find out what is going on.
_________________
10/01/07 - Removal of Stage III Colon Cancer Tumor and Temporary Colostomy
Started Chemotherapy 11-07-07 - FOLFOX regimen - 5-FU (5 Flurouracil) and leucovorin, oxaliplatin. Also Avastin
Last Chemo treatment 04-09-08, Colostomy Reversal 04-28-08 Age:41

milliesmom · Regular Joined: 18 Mar 2008 Posts: 33

Hi Mary,
Anytime you want to write to me, just let me know. I was where you are only in Feb. 08.

I had the same exact symptoms that you have. I also gained almost twenty-five pounds in November and recently lost twenty-two because of stress. The recent weight loss of mine was also due to the fact that the stool was so hard to pass, I just didn't eat very much. I also found that if I fasted, I didn't have diarrhea and have to run to the bathroom so much. I found this out right before I went on vacation and the fasting really helped me with bathroom problems.

I was eighty pounds overweight anyway, so I was glad to lose the weight. I feel much better now and do not lose my breath when I run up the stairs.

Now to the question of red blood in your stools. I didn't know this as it isn't talked about at all, but red blood in your stools is a clear sign of rectal cancer. You "NEVER" hear this, and if I had heard it, I would have gone to the doctor three years ago. I also had hemorrhoids during childbirth thirty-two and thirty years ago and thought that the blood was from that.

My medical oncologist told me that almost everyone doesn't know that so they wait for a colonoscopy until they have smaller width stools like you are having and like I had.

So I went in on March 10, 2008 and had an exam in the colorectal surgeon's office. I chose him because he was across the hall from my regular doctor. He ran a hemorrhoid clinic. I had called there because I thought I had a horribly large hemorrhoid.

Well, I didn't. He found right then and there a polyp/tumor. He told me right then that he thought it was cancer and the next week after a colonoscopy, and after the pathology report, that it was cancer. To say I was shocked, was an understatement.

I am not saying that you have rectal cancer. You could have hemorrhoids and I will pray for you that it is that. But, it could be cancer and the only way you will know is with a colonoscopy. Please get one done.

My son didn't have insurance for awhile and he went to the hospital for a dental abscess. They took him even though he didn't have insurance. Heck, my first child was born without insurance and my husband and I paid payments for his birth. So please don't let that stop you from getting the colonoscopy.

I had an Ear, nose and throat doctor who did all kinds of free work and if you were to call, you might find a colorectal doctor who will do the same. They are in this for the patient, not the money. The money isn't good enough for what they have to do and see. They could make ton's more in business than in medicine.

I was very scared, so scared that I threw up my dinner once or twice. Then when I asked my sister to pray for me, through an email, I no longer was scared at all. I now have stage IIB rectal cancer and my new oncologist was the 3rd or 4th doctor who told me that this is curable.

So please, please go get this checked. They can also check with an virtual colonoscopy and that might be a little more or less expensive, I don't know. It is with an ultrasound.

Even if it is cancer, you will be in for a battle, but not one you cannot fight and win.

When I was growing up, cancer meant a death sentence. It isn't anymore. In fact, I thought my grown sons would be out of their minds with worry, but they grew up in a different era and they know people who have been cured of cancer. They also know of a friend who lost her battle, but they are not all freaked out about mine. In fact, they are at completely at peace with this.

You didn't say how old you are, but if you are my age or older, 52, then you are probably of the "time bomb" mindset of cancer. It just isn't that way anymore, so don't let the fear keep you from getting good treatment if it is cancer.

Please let us know that you are going to get this checked out.

Milliesmom

milliesmom · Regular Joined: 18 Mar 2008 Posts: 33

I got a call from the gal from the clinical trials that I think I'm going to start and she told me to tell you that if you do not have insurance to call different cancer centers and ask to speak with the social worker or the clinical trials person.

She also said that to call the American Cancer Assoc. will also be a place to go to help with finding a way to get a colonoscopy at no cost to you.

She said there are ways to get a colonoscopy through them that you might not be able to find out about on your own.

Milliesmom

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