Typing that title: “How I saved my life” sounds so dramatic. But the truth is, I did. By taking a test. Not taking a test, really. More of a “having a procedure” done.
If you have already turned 50 years old, you may know to which procedure I’m referring. The dreaded colonoscopy. As soon as I turned 50, my family doctor gently reminded me every year that I still needed to have that done. “Yes, yes, I’ll schedule that”, I would say. Fully meaning it, but never getting around to it.
Until last month. I went to see my family doctor for a totally unrelated symptom: heartburn. She recommended that I see a gastroenterologist and have an EGD (an upper endoscopy) done. The gastro doctor noticed that I hadn’t yet had the “wellness” colonoscopy done and recommended that I have it done during the same appointment as the EGD since they do them both and I’d be under anesthesia anyway. I agreed and knew my family doctor would be happy that I was finally having it done. (Like I was doing her a favor).
The EGD and colonoscopy were done on a sunny Monday morning at the end of March. The procedures themselves were no big deal. In fact, I was asleep throughout and have no memory of them. What I do remember is waking up in the recovery area and hearing the nurse say that the doctor would be in soon to discuss the results. Hmmm. I knew right away that something was up.
I could hear cheerful conversations going on behind curtains with other patients that were entirely different than what was said to me. I overheard “everything looks great, you did wonderfully.” All I heard was: the doctor will be here shortly. No “you did great!” or other light banter.
Then the curtain was pulled back and my gastro doctor was standing there and he was not smiling. What he said was: “Thank you for having the colonoscopy done. You saved your life.” My heart sank and Dan and I looked at each other and I think we were both holding our breaths while the doctor continued to explain that he had removed 4 small polyps but that he also encountered a large mass that was too large to remove with the scope. (he did take a piece that was sent to pathology) He thinks that it had been growing there for maybe two years. I would need surgery to remove it. “Do you have a surgeon?” Do I have a surgeon??? Did he just ask me that? Yeah, he’s out playing golf right now with my attorney, my accountant, and my PR rep. No, I don’t have a surgeon. Could you recommend one?
Of course he could. They immediately made an appointment for the very next day with an oncology surgeon. I was scared. Very scared. The surgeon said he was going to treat this as if it were cancer even though they were not sure it was. Yet. I was immediately sent across the street to the hospital for a CT scan and blood work. I would know the results of the biopsy, the CT scan, and the blood work on Friday. That was the longest week of my life. Friday finally came and I thank God there were absolutely no signs of cancer. Anywhere. However, I still needed the surgery to remove the mass. It was not a question of if the mass would become malignant, but a question of when.
I underwent an open right hemicolectomy. Sounds awful, doesn’t it? Well, it was. Surgery is no fun, but I’ll take it any day over radiation, chemotherapy, and everything else involved with colon cancer. I know of a few people going through colon cancer right now. And I thank my lucky stars, God, and my doctors for finding this growth before it was too late. I’m not going to complain about a large abdominal scar and missing a few inches of a large colon when I think about what could have been.
I wasn’t sure I would write about this since it has nothing to do with crafting, decorating and DIYing, but I thought it was too important not to share with you. After all, my family and closest friends know and I consider you all to be part of that circle, too.
Do me a favor please. (warning: this where I’m going to go all “Katie Couric” on everyone): If you (or someone you love) are age 50*+ and have not had a colonoscopy done, please schedule one today. It really is no big deal and it could very well save your life.
*I was told that if there is a history of colon polyps in your immediate family, you should have your first colonoscopy at age 40.
Do it for your kids, do it for your grandkids, do it for yourself. Just do it.
Hi Jeanie, Thanks for sharing your story. I’m sure it wasn’t an easy thing to do, but I am glad you are on the other side of this and are healing. Hopefully, others will read this and know that they should get tested or help others get tested too.
Thanks for sharing your story and motivating me to make sure I schedule my own “procedure” when I turn 50.
Dear Jane…
Thanks for sharing your cancer story…
I am a christian woman…I accepted Christ as my only Savior when I was 12.
Six years ago I had colon cancer… three years later during a ordinary revision I had anohter one in the liver…I was operated and I recoverd very well. This January during a normal revision I have the third one…. Now I am with quimioteraphy… I praise the Lord every moment of my life… since my desease I have lots of oportunities to share about our good God…
In the face book I put one picture from the quimio sesion and I praise the Lord at the same time, because I want to speak about Him more than ever.
As you can see I am not an Ensglish speaking woman, I am Spaniard….
Lord is always besides His people, sometimes his proposite is not to put out our sick.. but His desire is being besides us all the time.
God bless you
Begoña Martinez Varón
We all need to think about our life in this way. It can be scary for sure but it can truly save your life if you just get checked out sooner than later!
I’m astonished while reading your article it was just wonderful. I like to read this kind of story again and again because this kind of stories influences my mind to work more effectively.
Doing various tests like radiology test like ct scans are very helpful in identifying diseases now.
It was interesting that a visit to a gastroenterologist for a seemingly small issue lead to saving your life! I’ve been putting off seeing the doctor for heartburn myself because it hasn’t been too bad. But your experience taught me that I can never be too careful!
Getting regular medical tests can help to identify underlying health problems and solve it as soon as you can to avoid it getting worse.
By identifying changes at the cellular level, PET may detect the early onset of disease before other imaging tests can.
The best option for you is to eat a balanced diet with the right ratio of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Less sugar, flour, more vegetables and some fruit. Also now there are many cool dietary supplements that will help you with this, I advise you to familiarize yourself with the brand Prorganiq health
Stress lies in wait for us everywhere and every day. Therefore, it is very important to have strong nerves in order to be stress-resistant. I can recommend you a good site https://westcoastbud.io/product/boost-thc-edibles-300mg/ where you will find products with a natural composition that are useful for strengthening the nervous system. Thanks to these products, you will not be afraid of any stress.
Absolutely right, when something worries you, it is better not to self-medicate and immediately consult a doctor. After the doctor’s examination and tests, you can supplement your diet with everything you need. At one time, I found the best herbal supplements on the HerbErawebsite. And finally, do not forget about preventive measures. Often people do not think about their health until they get sick.