Save your life- Get that Colonoscopy- JUST DO IT!!
by Maxine Cosslett
(Italy)
I am 60 years old and in 2006 I was busy running a business and just “didn’t have the time” to go to the doctors to get rectal bleeding checked out! Anyway I thought it was probably hemorrhoids which I’d had on and off since the birth of my 2 children.
One day I felt a discharge and found it was blood, so very worried I went straight to the doctor who examined me and confirmed that it was blood after a quick examination.
I omitted to say that the bleeding was getting worse, afraid I might have to have some frightening tests done!
This year it became even worse so I went to the doctors as I was feeling tired and depressed and I happened to say that I’d been having diarrhea every day for more than a year and my doctor insisted I have a colonoscopy!
I had read about this procedure and knew what it entailed so I told her that I was sure it was the hemorrhoids so she gave me 1 month to “get rid of them” or I would have to have the colonoscopy.
The month passed and the bleeding was better (or was I kidding myself!), but after the insistence of my doctor I agreed to a proctological examination, in the meantime another month passed.
The proctologist examined me and also did an anoscopic examination and immediately called Gastroenterology and made me an appointment for the dreaded colonoscopy!
My biggest fear was the preparation which some said made you nauseous and caused vomiting which is my biggest fear! It didn’t!!
I had wasted all this time for nothing!
Ok, it’s not very pleasant but if you take it slowly it’s not that bad if you use cold water from the fridge! The actual colonoscopy was a bit painful but it had to be done.
A large polyp (1.4cm) was removed.
A week later I was feeling really well, my stomach lovely and flat, thinking that all was ok as the hospital hadn’t called me yet. Then I got the call from the gastroenterologist himself who said that there was a problem.
I arrived in his studio with my husband and was told that I had had an adenocarcinoma but that it had gone and I was ok.
But I needed to decide if I should have a colon resection which he advised me was not essential in my case as I was a T1 stage. But as I was going to the States (I live in Italy) to see the birth of my second grandson, he told me there was no hurry and to enjoy my holiday, which I did.
There was some difference of opinion about the resection between the gastroenterologist and the proctologist which was very upsetting but I got another opinion from an oncologist, who specializes in colon cancer and he confirmed the opinion of the gastroenterologist. He also gave me follow up advice which I am definitely taking along with a better diet; though I have always mostly eaten the Mediterranean diet, what with my mother being Italian!
I will be having another colonoscopy in January and then in 1 year.
The worst part for me is that I may have passed this to my children and possibly their children. An aunt on my mother’s side had the same problem 30 years ago and had the resection and lived until last year, she was 96! I have told my brothers and sisters too as they are at the age where they should get checked, though it’s difficult to get people to see the importance and get over the idea of having a colonoscopy, especially men!
I’m working on my husband too!
I really can’t say how important it is to do this, I have been very stupid. I knew something was wrong but I kept putting it to the back of my mind. I know that if I hadn’t done this I could now be dying of cancer missing my lovely grandchildren grow up and my lovely husband and children.
Just do it!!!!
