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My mother died almost 2 years ago...colon cancer and it then spread through her lungs.

I have some digestive "issues", but not cancer, so I get regular colonoscopies. I've had a callback...late Sept. I'm hoping this hasn't progressed to cancer.

Then my mammogram last month...just got a callback...something on the left breast they wish to re-examine. Sept. 5 (the morning of the day I go to visit my daughter in Newfoundland).

I'm a little stressed about this.

[This message edited by JanetS at 12:22 PM, August 21st (Wednesday)]

I'm so sorry about your Mom, and I sure don't blame you for feeling stressed about these call backs.

Sending lots of mojo and positive thoughts.

(((JanetS)))

sending mojo

((((JanetS)))) Sending you mojo and keeping you in my thoughts.

(((Janet)))

Sending mojo.

{{Janet}} So sorry, that must be so stressful for you!

Sending you lots of mojo!

All the mojo in the world to you, Janet. I hope it's nothing and you can enjoy your time in my home province!

((((Janet))))

Sending strength, positive thoughts and MOJO.

((((Janet))))

Sending it all your way.

Oftentimes with mammo's something just wasn't clear enough on the original scan and this is all very precautionary.

Keep us updated!

AJ's MOM

((((janets))))

I hate how they schedule the appointments so far away. Only makes the anxiety worse. Lots of prayers and mojo your way.

They were going to schedule the mammography for Aug. 29. But my mother's ashes have been in my home since her death. My brother is visiting (out of town) next week, and we've scheduled the burial of her ashes for the 29th...in Toronto...so I don't want to change that. I will wait another week.

Thanks for all of your kind thoughts. I'll update you, of course, once I have results.

Hopefully BOTH are just pre-cautionary,

[This message edited by JanetS at 5:13 PM, August 21st (Wednesday)]

Yeah, just went through this lovely scenario. Mammogram, re-exam, then a special one, then biopsy and the waiting game. All good, though. So, here's hoping that yours will be the same and all you'll get out of it is a really nifty little ribbon-shaped marker that shows up on all future scans to mark the areas that they looked at!

Skan, glad yours went well. They couldn't find my LAST mammogram so a comparison, then I realized that I told them the WRONG location where it was done...so tomorrow I'll make the calls and straighten that out. Hopefully it will help them in diagnosing.

I'm trying to NOT worry...but!

I've been called back for pap smears a few times, and don't worry about that. I recognize how very common that is. BUT I've never been called back for a mammogram before...so I'm concerned.

Strangely I'm a little less concerned about the colonoscopy. Dr. said it was for "peace of mind" since I had a horrible attack of diverticulis in June. It's not likely to turn into cancer BUT it "might" make searching for the polyps a bit trickier because of the pouches in the intestine....so he wants to go in and be thorough. I don't mind the procedure too much, but I do HATE the prep...drink a gallon of foul stuff the night before, and you spend the whole night on the toilet...yeah!!!!

Janet - The colonoscopy after recovery from diverticulitis is standard of care. With your family history you should be getting regular scopes anyway.

Just to clear things up, Diverticulitis does NOT CAUSE cancer. All colon cancers start out as polyps. That why getting the scopes regularly to get those nasty buggers out is so important.

If you have diverticulosis, it is important that your Dr take their time when scoping you, to make sure that there are no polyps growing in that section of colon.

Was this your first bout of diverticulitis? If you have had more than two bouts in 10 years you should consider surgery. They remove basically the left side of your colon. This can be done laprascopically if you see the right type of surgeon. Recovery is usually a 2-3 day hospital stay, another week of being fairly sore, and then by week 2 feeling pretty good. No lifting or strenuous work for a full 6 weeks though so your body can heal.

If you have questions PM me. This is my specialty (as you might have guessed).

Tushnurse (LOVE your moniker)...thank you for your reply.

This attack of diverticulitis (in June) was the first that was SO bad that I could not help but pay attention to it. I've had "issues" before, but not accompanied by the horrid cramping, shivering, fever, awful awful vomiting, and on the toilet ALL night (well pretty much). But, in retrospect I'm sure some of my earlier events were diverticulitis....the symptoms just didn't scream at me, so I ignored. So yes, I've probably had more than 2 bouts in 10 years. We'll see how this goes, and I'll discuss with the Dr. if surgery is advisable at this time.

Dr. said that the colon is like corrugated cardboard, and polyps can hide there...and in the pouches. I was given the option of waiting to see if I had any other issues, or he could scope for my peace of mind...and he said he doesn't mind doing this.

My mother who had cancer, plus diverticulitis, had only 7" of intestine left after 2 bouts of colon cancer (she refused a bag...but she suffered because of this). My maternal grandmother had diverticulitis. So regular colonosocopies are in my future. Yeah!!!

Certainly if things get worse and surgery is advised, I would certainly heed the advice. When I was at the hospital emergency after my bout the triage nurse told me that she had done the surgery and said her life was wonderful since....so I'm not adverse to consider this.

Tushnurse, certainly if I want some advise here I will let you know....as you obviously understand this subject.

Lynn, so you're from NL :)

Your have not province is certainly booming now. Rents are crazy. Daughter got a job with an architectural firm, she's an interior designer.

Friends of mine were there last week...I was told to wear sensible shoes....in their words "St. John's is vertical" :).

I can't wait to go. Never been to NL. Been in NB, maybe 30 years ago when a friend moved there.

I'm flying, but maybe next summer I'd like to drive there, and enjoy other areas of the Maritimes before catching the ferry to NL.

Lots of mojo sent. ((((((JanetS))))

Sending mojo

Thanks for continued mojo. I'm taking it all in.