Ben passed away Remember March is colon cancer Awareness Month !!!!

[Booann]

This is a hard post to write.

A few years back I asked John Lester if a colon cancer board could please be added to the list of groups he has here on Braintalk and he did. Its slow but still I come and see if anyone written everyday.

My husband Ben was dx with stage 3 in 1993 and went on to recurred 4 more time including the last few weeks. Ben had been there done that and me as his wingman.

Ben passed away on Feb 17, 2007 after almost a 14 year battle with this monster

Ben fought so hard and long , Please please get yourself checked and remember that in March it is colon cancer awareness month. Don't be ashamed or afraid to let the doctors know something not right. It can and does cost people their lives.

Ben is now gone but he left behind 3 children and me that will keep the word going not only for him but for them and other who now stand a greater chance of getting it.

Ben and me where married almost 26 years.

Teresa

[tic chick]

dear teresa,

i am sorry about your loss of your dear husband ben. what a gallant fight he fought! and he won for 14 years. he must have had quite a spirit!

i had also been too squeamish to get a colonoscopy. at age 52, i should have had one at age 50, maybe earlier, beause my grandmother had died of colon cancer and my mom had polyps removed when she was 56.

i finally went!!! NO BIG DEAL PEOPLE!!!

the anesthesia they give you makes it painless. it took about an hour. i went home, slept for an hour and felt great afterwards. my colonoscopy turned up nothing harmful. i have to get one in another 5 years because of my family history. i will do it!

teresa...keep posting your message! colon cancer can be cured if caught early! with our diets, colon cancer is on the uprise.

JUST DO IT!

[Buttons2]

Teresa, I'm so sorry about your loss. Ben must have been a very special man.

Thank you for taking the time to post.

Please let BT members help you.

Big cyber hug to you & your children,
Buttons

[Cry Tears]

Teresa....I'm so sorry for your loss...and sorry for Ben as well.
My heart breaks for you...I know only just a little how you feel and what you've gone thru in supporting your husband and family.
My husbands long battle with mouth cancer, numerous reoccurances has taught us how fraigile and short life is.
To treasure each day and thank the Lord for good health.
Hugs to you and your little ones.
Be strong for them, stay in touch and know you're not alone in this.
I know your heart is broken at this time.
Blessings to you and your family. Cheryl

[Lara]

Dear Teresa, I'm so very sorry to read of the loss of your husband.
(((Teresa)))

[DiMarie]

Teresa,
I don't have the words that could ever consoul you, but so understand your loss. Ben will be a part of your heart, soul and total being forever. It takes but a moment to have a memory, we have those to cherish forever.

Your story and colon awareness are a strong way to honor Ben's battle and memory forever.

I have been avoiding my test that doctorhas been pushing to me....I keep putting if off. I will call and make the appointment.

My love to you and my shoulder if you need it.
Love,
Dianne

[stormie267]

Teresa,
Thanks for posting about colon cancer. It must be so hard for you! My deepest sympathy.

One thing no doctor mentions, is that the prep can be so much easier if you ask your dr. to prescribe an anti-nausea pill to take at the time you start your prep. It has worked wonders on three of my family members. No quesiness from the prep (drinking that liquid or taking the laxative-type pills).

[stormie267]

One more thing: If my husband had known that a dr. can prescribe an anti-nausea pill for the prep, he would have had his second colonoscopy much sooner. As it was, he waited ten years. At the age of 47, he was dx with Stage 3 colon cancer, one lymph node involved. Most of his large intestine is now gone, he went through nine months of chemo, and he's in his fourth year of remission.

Please, everyone, get it done! And ask for that little anti-nausea pill to be prescribed to take during the prep the day before.

[Cry Tears]

I have Crohns disease...anyone with this knows very well these are done routinely. I've had so many colonoscopys and ERCP's I've lost count. But will guess at maybe 20 of them so far.
For me the only uncomfortable part of these is paying for them!
OK...that ton of sea water junk they give you to drink is horrid, but I add Crystle light to mine, 3 different flavors for variety.
I've had nausea with the prep drink where I finish the last part of the prep standing in the shower...both ends going by then.
This is very common, but with those new anti nausea pills...make this easy to take. Zofran is the best anti nausea medication, but is about $60 just for one pill, but this med is best on the market as it has no other real side effects.
I would urge anyone having a colonoscopy to have this done by a gastroenterologist done under sedation.
Do not let your family doctor do this as a gastro doc is more familiar with your colon and polyps.
Some family docs do this in their office and does not offer sedation. Very bad way to have this done...its rather uncomfortable...I've had 2 done without sedation....eeeek! Never again. The light sleep the gastro doc gives you is wonderful. Nothing embarrassing either. You wake up wondering when they're gonna get started! All done! Just leaves you a little groggy for a few hours, but a soft bed and good movie will remedy that.
Save yourself greif and perhaps your life...have a colonoscopy for your 40th birthday...dont wait till your 50 or older. I think 40 is the recommended age for this...I remembering Katie Curic's husbands colon cancer. He died so young, think was mid 40's...not sure...but his life would have been spared had he had one by his 40th.
I hope I've urged someone into making a call to a gastro clinic and schedule this to be done.
Cheers:Bottoms up!
Blessings, cheryl