Archive for April, 2009

Rick

Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is the endoscopic examination of the colon via a camera on a flexible tube passed through …well you get the idea.

Now a colonoscopy is not all that big a deal. Preparation for this invasion of privacy, is another matter and only slightly troublesome in light of the information gotten from the examination.  First of all, you can get pictures of the inside of your colon!  And I have proof.  In keeping with the tasteful nature of this blog, I will not post them here .  Secondly, knowing your colon is clean of polyps and tumors, is a good thing, and the procedure simple.  Be warned, they knock you out, although I think that is to keep you from playing with the camera.

How important is this knowledge?  By illustration, let me use the example of a friend, whom, for the sake of discretion, I will call my brother Steve.  He recently had a colonoscopy and the doctor found some polyps (which where removed).  Having polyps is not a big deal, but knowing you do not have them any more and those little bits are gone, is quite reassuring.  Polyps can turn cancerous.  I feel much better and hopefully he does also.

Please note: you should never cut corners with this procedure and it should be done my trained doctors in a hospital or doctor’s office, never at home, by say a spouse, just to save a few bucks – I doubt you have the equipment any way – trust me when I say this – the family camcorder will in no way, shape or form do the trick.

Well, there you have it.  If you are fifty plus – get a colonoscopy if is not already a part of your health regiment.  If you are one of my siblings get it done now!

I believe that is the first time I have ever used the word sibling in a sentence. I think it makes them sound like whiney snot nosed little kids, but I assure you they are quite large and all grown up.

Rick

Cancer

Ok, here is the deal.  I have cancer.  T2-T3 N1 M0 Stage 3 colorectal cancer.

What does that mean?
I take chemo and go to radiation every day M-F (for 5 weeks-ish).
I will, in all probability, have my entire colon removed (mid-June).
The small intestine (mine) will be attached to the rectum (again, mine).
I will have an ileostomy (I’ll poop into a bag) for a few months while the surgery heals.
After I have healed adequately, the ostomy will be reversed and I can read Calvin and Hobbs again (in the library).

Stage 3 colorectal cancer has, in the US, approximately a 68 percent survival rate.  If the lymph nodes affected were affected because of the biopsies and not the cancer – stage 2 colorectal cancer five year survival rate is about 90 percent.

The elders at our church have come and prayed over me and as I am yet unhealed, I am proceeding with the recommendations of my team of doctors.  Yes, you heard it right, team.  I have a team.  Go team!

Incidentally, even with the auspicious team of doctors attending me, I still covet the prayers, from you praying type.

How has this affected my life so far?  Let me just say I have started to take my health a bit more seriously:

New Trek 7.3 Bicycle $579
Cool Looking Helmet (to make me go faster) $40
Cool Night-time Running Lights (to keep me safe) $30
Water Bottle Cage (to…duh) $5
Water Bottle (to keep me hydrated) $2

Forgetting to fill the water bottle and put it on the bike on the first day of my eight mile bicycle commute to work, priceless.

more later…