Colon Cancer Support Group

Colorectal cancer, also called colon cancer or bowel cancer, includes cancerous growths in the colon, rectum and appendix. Many colorectal cancers are thought to arise from mushroom-like growths that are usually benign, but some may develop into cancer over time. The majority of the time, the diagnosis of localized colon cancer is through colonoscopy.

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first colonoscopy since chemo

jaynieG
jaynieG
Hi guys got my first colonoscopy since finishing chemo this saturday, and starting to get a bit nervous. I think ive handled my cancer journey quite well up to now, but dont know how will react if this one isnt good news. Trying to stay focused. when i had my first scope i didnt know what polyps or tumours looked like, but now i do. Did any of you guys watch the proceedure on the screen or not, part of me is interested (typical nosy woman lol) and another part of me thinks i will freak if i see anything, any suggestions ?
markarina
markarina
you have three options when it comes to the colonoscopy, or at least I did, basically you can do it with zero drugs though this isn't usually offered, you can do it with gas and air this means you are awake and fully cognizant of what is going on, and you can have sedation where you are basically awake but don't remember any of it.

I had the sedation and remember snippets of it and they took internal photo's which I saw afterwards
jaynieG
jaynieG
thanks Mark, i had the sedation last time but remember quite a bit, and it was very painful, as they removed most of the tumour there and then, then tattooed the site incase i needed a resection, which i did. Just think i will be glad when it is over.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Jaynie I feel positive that things will work out good for you. I know that this is another one of the scary parts of this. good luck to you, I think about you everyday.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Best of luck... I opted for "Knock me out" for my follow up colonoscopy.
I did have a couple or was it three? Follow up Sigmoids and that I was fully awake for. That was enough "journey to the center of my body" for me.
You'll do great! Just seems like every time you turn around they are setting you up for a nerve racking procedure.
MPNC
deleted_user
deleted_user
I had both of mine with light sedation. I could see and remember watching the screen both times. I saw my adversary the first time and saw it was all clean and clear the second time after surgery and treatment. I thought it was pretty interesting. When it was done I went home and went to bed.. I was tired from the sedation and a bit sore till all the air got worked out. The prep is the worst part of the whole thing. I was personally happy to know right then that it was all good for the follow up.
jaynieG
jaynieG
hi guys, thanks for the words of support, had the colonoscopy this morning and all clear, feel much better, had the sedatives, which were much better than last time and it was all straight forward, probably cos they have a lot less to look at now lol, the doctor commented on my very neat resection cos he had difficulty finding where it joined.