YANMD, but do I have colon cancer?
April 18, 2023 6:42 PM Subscribe
My doctor ordered an endoscopy and colonoscopy due to my anemia, and I did the procedures today. After awakening from sedation, I was told by the doctor that they found a mass in my colon and that it was very highly likely colon cancer. I was given a CT scan right away. After I left and arrived home, I got a very vague email from the doctor who performed today saying I did NOT have ischemia, whatever that is, and I didn't need to be hospitalized.
The doctor said it was "GOOD NEWS!" and that I did not have ischemia and did not have to be hospitalized. I asked if that meant I didn't have colon cancer, but didn't hear back. Of course I called them back at the number they tried to call me at, and got the automated machine, so I'm unable to contact the doctor directly.
The after visit notes say:
The important findings were:
1) internal hemorrhoids
2) colon mass, concern for ischemia.
So, I'm not understanding what the doctor meant. Did it mean good news, I don't have colon cancer? Or is ischemia completely different?
I'm on a very emotional roller coaster. I broke down crying when I was told I very highly likely had colon cancer (and it's actually rare for me to cry—not much of a crier), and I told all of my close friends and family the news and potential to have cancer. It's been a very difficult day, and the doctor's very vague and simple email made it sound like I was all cured. In person, she repeatedly said I highly likely had colon cancer. I would feel so embarrassed if I told people I potentially had cancer, but ended up not. I was also told by the nurses it'd take 2 days for them to study the CT scan and let me know.
The doctor, in her email, didn't say anything about cancer, but did say the lack of ischemia was good news because I didn't have to be hospitalized. Does that mean there was an additional concern, other than cancer, or...? I'm so confused. It's possible the interpreter missed something or misunderstood or something, but the word "cancer" was definitely said. Nothing was said in person about ischemia.
I know YANMD, but it's been a very difficult day and I'm having a hard time understanding what's happening. Apologies in advance for the heavy question, but this was a whooper.
Thanks.
The doctor said it was "GOOD NEWS!" and that I did not have ischemia and did not have to be hospitalized. I asked if that meant I didn't have colon cancer, but didn't hear back. Of course I called them back at the number they tried to call me at, and got the automated machine, so I'm unable to contact the doctor directly.
The after visit notes say:
The important findings were:
1) internal hemorrhoids
2) colon mass, concern for ischemia.
So, I'm not understanding what the doctor meant. Did it mean good news, I don't have colon cancer? Or is ischemia completely different?
I'm on a very emotional roller coaster. I broke down crying when I was told I very highly likely had colon cancer (and it's actually rare for me to cry—not much of a crier), and I told all of my close friends and family the news and potential to have cancer. It's been a very difficult day, and the doctor's very vague and simple email made it sound like I was all cured. In person, she repeatedly said I highly likely had colon cancer. I would feel so embarrassed if I told people I potentially had cancer, but ended up not. I was also told by the nurses it'd take 2 days for them to study the CT scan and let me know.
The doctor, in her email, didn't say anything about cancer, but did say the lack of ischemia was good news because I didn't have to be hospitalized. Does that mean there was an additional concern, other than cancer, or...? I'm so confused. It's possible the interpreter missed something or misunderstood or something, but the word "cancer" was definitely said. Nothing was said in person about ischemia.
I know YANMD, but it's been a very difficult day and I'm having a hard time understanding what's happening. Apologies in advance for the heavy question, but this was a whooper.
Thanks.
I'm so sorry, what a horrible day.
Ischemia means tissue death due to loss of blood flow. It's an immediate emergency because tissue is dying every hour the problem persists. It is great news that this mass is not restricting blood flow, and there is no need for emergency surgery.
It is likely more complicated for them to tell whether the mass is a begin tumor (needs to be removed, but won't come back), or a malignant one. There are many different types of cancers with very different outcomes.
Your loved ones care about you and want to support you. If you end up not being too sick, they won't feel embarrassed on your behalf, they'll feel overjoyed. I'm so sorry you are going through this, best of luck.
posted by Ausamor at 6:56 PM on April 18, 2023 [33 favorites]
Ischemia means tissue death due to loss of blood flow. It's an immediate emergency because tissue is dying every hour the problem persists. It is great news that this mass is not restricting blood flow, and there is no need for emergency surgery.
It is likely more complicated for them to tell whether the mass is a begin tumor (needs to be removed, but won't come back), or a malignant one. There are many different types of cancers with very different outcomes.
Your loved ones care about you and want to support you. If you end up not being too sick, they won't feel embarrassed on your behalf, they'll feel overjoyed. I'm so sorry you are going through this, best of luck.
posted by Ausamor at 6:56 PM on April 18, 2023 [33 favorites]
If a friend or loved one told me they probably had cancer and it turned out they didn't, I would be *thrilled*, not embarrassed for them! Sorry, not the point of your question, just thought it was important to mention. I don't have any medical background, but ischemia sounds separate from the cancer concern to me. Sorry you are going through this.
posted by Gravel at 6:57 PM on April 18, 2023 [6 favorites]
posted by Gravel at 6:57 PM on April 18, 2023 [6 favorites]
Ischemia means tissue death, due to lack of blood supply . I would take that to mean that none of your colon had died due to a tumor having stolen or blocked its blood vessels. So you aren't in immediate danger.
I would not take that as not cancer, tho. Biopsy is the final word on that.
Pretty sure I can speak for all of Metafilter when I say we'll be thinking of you.
posted by Dashy at 6:58 PM on April 18, 2023 [51 favorites]
I would not take that as not cancer, tho. Biopsy is the final word on that.
Pretty sure I can speak for all of Metafilter when I say we'll be thinking of you.
posted by Dashy at 6:58 PM on April 18, 2023 [51 favorites]
It is totally reasonable for you to be overloaded and a little unclear.
Highlighting a few facts from your ask:
- Your doctor has ordered additional tests (biopsies & CT scan) that will need to be evaluated over the next few days to determine a diagnosis.
- Your doctor has indicated you do not have ischemia. (It sounds like ischemia was a different/additional concern.)
- It is very valid & accurate that you've shared with friends & family of potential cancer.
- You have friends & family that care about you deeply and want to support you whatever the outcome.
Having supported a close relative through something similar, please continue to reach out to your doctor with questions & clarification. It sounds like the timing was tricky today but you can ask again tomorrow and clarification can help you understand knowns vs unknowns - as well as next steps. So sorry to hear you are going through this.
posted by countrymod at 7:01 PM on April 18, 2023 [1 favorite]
Highlighting a few facts from your ask:
- Your doctor has ordered additional tests (biopsies & CT scan) that will need to be evaluated over the next few days to determine a diagnosis.
- Your doctor has indicated you do not have ischemia. (It sounds like ischemia was a different/additional concern.)
- It is very valid & accurate that you've shared with friends & family of potential cancer.
- You have friends & family that care about you deeply and want to support you whatever the outcome.
Having supported a close relative through something similar, please continue to reach out to your doctor with questions & clarification. It sounds like the timing was tricky today but you can ask again tomorrow and clarification can help you understand knowns vs unknowns - as well as next steps. So sorry to hear you are going through this.
posted by countrymod at 7:01 PM on April 18, 2023 [1 favorite]
Oh, dude, I'm so sorry you're dealing with this. I'm glad to hear there's no ischemia. That sounds like an emergency situation, as opposed to cancer, which is scary as all get out but can be dealt with in a planned way. Here's what the Mayo Clinic has to say about ischemia, which you don't have. I know all the Mefites reading this will be thinking of you until you get the results of your biopsy back. Hang in there. Waiting truly sucks.
posted by kate4914 at 7:02 PM on April 18, 2023 [7 favorites]
posted by kate4914 at 7:02 PM on April 18, 2023 [7 favorites]
Dude, we're all rooting for you, just as much as all the people who actually know you in meat space are rooting for you! Don't be embarrassed about sharing a stressful medical event. Your friends, all of us, have your back.
posted by Floydd at 7:05 PM on April 18, 2023 [22 favorites]
posted by Floydd at 7:05 PM on April 18, 2023 [22 favorites]
I am just a layperson with a high familial risk of getting colon cancer who has had four relatives get it. I believe ischemia means blood flow is being blocked to tissue, which would indeed be bad and need hospitalization. It doesn’t seem to do anything with cancer and yes, they would need to do further tests and analysis to know for sure (and it sounds like they are doing those.) I recall one of my uncles who had colon cancer did have ischemia and he needed a lot of immediate care and surgery, did the whole colostomy bag thing and all. He lived eight more years after that. So, upshot, it is indeed good news that you don’t have ischemia!
Colon cancer, when caught early enough, is pretty treatable. My uncle was particularly recalcitrant and hated admitting to any vulnerability or problem, even to his doctors. You, on the other hand, are actively seeking care, have a doctor looking at test results, and can continue to build a care team of people you trust to help you through this. It really, really sucks, but you’re doing the right things. Keep your loved ones updated - I have in fact known two people who were told they likely had cancer (one was brain tumors!) and then further tests revealed they weren’t cancerous, or even requiring surgery. My response was unequivocal happiness on their behalf. So please don’t be embarrassed.
Try to get some sleep, knowing you don’t need to be rushed to the hospital. You’ll be on our minds, I’m sure, but you need to rest yours as much as you can.
posted by Mizu at 7:10 PM on April 18, 2023 [2 favorites]
Colon cancer, when caught early enough, is pretty treatable. My uncle was particularly recalcitrant and hated admitting to any vulnerability or problem, even to his doctors. You, on the other hand, are actively seeking care, have a doctor looking at test results, and can continue to build a care team of people you trust to help you through this. It really, really sucks, but you’re doing the right things. Keep your loved ones updated - I have in fact known two people who were told they likely had cancer (one was brain tumors!) and then further tests revealed they weren’t cancerous, or even requiring surgery. My response was unequivocal happiness on their behalf. So please don’t be embarrassed.
Try to get some sleep, knowing you don’t need to be rushed to the hospital. You’ll be on our minds, I’m sure, but you need to rest yours as much as you can.
posted by Mizu at 7:10 PM on April 18, 2023 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Wow, thanks for all of the responses! I truly am touched to see how many people care. :)
Yes, the doctor said in her email that the ischemia not being found was based on the CT scan. It was just so out of the blue because ischemia/the concern was never brought up in person (at least, from what I remember), so it never really crossed my mind. The focus of the conversation was cancer/how highly likely it was. It's possible, though, my mind blanked out when I was told I could have colon cancer, and she did mention ischemia, or it was something the interpreter misheard/missed, or maybe the doctor forgot to mention it because I was so upset about cancer—I literally grabbed her hand and held it, that's how upset and shocked I was. The interpreter also had to leave mid-appointment due to an obligation, so we had to switch to another interpreter, which could have resulted in that part being lost in the cracks. I was also initially drowsy from the sedation, so could be another factor.
And yes, a biospy/biospies was taken, and like some others suggested, that looks to be where the cancer will be found. I was under the impression that it was the CT scan that would show it, but again, probably miscommunication/feeling overloaded.
Much love to this community, I know we haven't always gotten along the best, but you really mean more to me and make a difference in my life more than you know!
posted by dubious_dude at 7:31 PM on April 18, 2023 [46 favorites]
Yes, the doctor said in her email that the ischemia not being found was based on the CT scan. It was just so out of the blue because ischemia/the concern was never brought up in person (at least, from what I remember), so it never really crossed my mind. The focus of the conversation was cancer/how highly likely it was. It's possible, though, my mind blanked out when I was told I could have colon cancer, and she did mention ischemia, or it was something the interpreter misheard/missed, or maybe the doctor forgot to mention it because I was so upset about cancer—I literally grabbed her hand and held it, that's how upset and shocked I was. The interpreter also had to leave mid-appointment due to an obligation, so we had to switch to another interpreter, which could have resulted in that part being lost in the cracks. I was also initially drowsy from the sedation, so could be another factor.
And yes, a biospy/biospies was taken, and like some others suggested, that looks to be where the cancer will be found. I was under the impression that it was the CT scan that would show it, but again, probably miscommunication/feeling overloaded.
Much love to this community, I know we haven't always gotten along the best, but you really mean more to me and make a difference in my life more than you know!
posted by dubious_dude at 7:31 PM on April 18, 2023 [46 favorites]
How scary to get the news like this. I just went through this with a close family member—they did have ischemia/necrotic bowel due to a large colorectal mass and had subsequent bowel perforation (contents of bowel released into blood stream). They required emergency surgery that removed the dead bowel (and colostomy bag).
So your doctor was right it’s good news that you don’t have ischemia (and thus are not in a critical, life-endangering situation), they just skipped over all the reasons the lack of ischemia is good news. As everyone’s stated above, biopsy and pathology report will provide you further answers.
My best to you.
(And that close family member is doing quite well 18 months later with treatment.)
posted by namemeansgazelle at 8:01 PM on April 18, 2023
So your doctor was right it’s good news that you don’t have ischemia (and thus are not in a critical, life-endangering situation), they just skipped over all the reasons the lack of ischemia is good news. As everyone’s stated above, biopsy and pathology report will provide you further answers.
My best to you.
(And that close family member is doing quite well 18 months later with treatment.)
posted by namemeansgazelle at 8:01 PM on April 18, 2023
hey dubious, i think you got the info you needed from others about ischemia / vs cancer diagnosis, but i just want you to know you have another semi-local person (baltimore) pullin for you. i know you have a lot of ppl that care about you and they all want to help you!!! i hope you feel better really soon and i hope you keep us posted. <3
posted by capnsue at 8:18 PM on April 18, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by capnsue at 8:18 PM on April 18, 2023 [3 favorites]
If you had had ischemia in your bowel, you would have had to go into surgery almost at once. It's dangerous.
If it turns out not to be cancer (fingers crossed), just say you were still loopy from the drugs and misunderstood what the doctor said. Most adults know what it's like to be messed up on anesthesia.
posted by praemunire at 9:02 PM on April 18, 2023
If it turns out not to be cancer (fingers crossed), just say you were still loopy from the drugs and misunderstood what the doctor said. Most adults know what it's like to be messed up on anesthesia.
posted by praemunire at 9:02 PM on April 18, 2023
I’m sorry you’re dealing with this. This is a lot and your feelings are valid. I want to echo the idea that if someone I cared about said they thought they had cancer, then followed up to say it was a false alarm, I’d be happy, not annoyed so please don’t worry about that.
The Colon Cancer Alliance is a good group. This page may help you think through the right questions to ask. You can also call them - I don’t know how helpful they will be but that may be worth a shot.
I hope you get good news and that you will keep us posted. Wishing you the best.
posted by kat518 at 12:05 AM on April 19, 2023
The Colon Cancer Alliance is a good group. This page may help you think through the right questions to ask. You can also call them - I don’t know how helpful they will be but that may be worth a shot.
I hope you get good news and that you will keep us posted. Wishing you the best.
posted by kat518 at 12:05 AM on April 19, 2023
I'm really sorry to hear about what you're going through. I was diagnosed with colon cancer years ago and I remember that moment when a doctor gives you the news and you feel like the whole world just drops out from under you. Nobody should have to go through that. I've got my fingers and toes crossed that this will turn out to be some benign little lump.
posted by Ursula Hitler at 2:19 AM on April 19, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by Ursula Hitler at 2:19 AM on April 19, 2023 [3 favorites]
I'm really sorry to hear this. I was diagnosed with cancer almost seven years ago, and it took at least two months for me not to be thinking about it every single moment. Please don't worry about your friends thinking less of you if it's a false alarm. You got a huge shock, and it's legitimate to call on friends for support.
The ischemia issue has been well covered. I just wanted to say that if you do have colon cancer, I'd suggest looking into the colon cancer community at SmartPatients.com. I can't speak specifically to the colon cancer community, but I'm a member of the community for my cancer there, and it's been a great resource for both information and support, though as with every online group, there can be frustrations.
Best to you.
posted by FencingGal at 6:19 AM on April 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
The ischemia issue has been well covered. I just wanted to say that if you do have colon cancer, I'd suggest looking into the colon cancer community at SmartPatients.com. I can't speak specifically to the colon cancer community, but I'm a member of the community for my cancer there, and it's been a great resource for both information and support, though as with every online group, there can be frustrations.
Best to you.
posted by FencingGal at 6:19 AM on April 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
You may not have been looking when she said ischemia, or the terp might have been inexpert, but also it doesn't really matter why—it's very normal to not process everything a doctor tells you at a stressful time about a stressful subject, and IMO she shouldn't have dropped "ischemia" in the email with no explanation!
Anyway, I just wanted to throw my two cents in as someone who had a friend who we DID very sincerely believe to have cancer and then it turned out not to be cancer... it felt downright miraculous, not embarrassing at all. I hope once the immediate tumult has passed you can feel relief about not having any tissue death (that IS all-caps good news) and get your feet under you for whatever news comes next, but if it's good news please believe that everyone will experience it as good news. (If they try to make you feel embarrassed I highly recommend never talking to them again.)
posted by babelfish at 6:46 AM on April 19, 2023 [2 favorites]
Anyway, I just wanted to throw my two cents in as someone who had a friend who we DID very sincerely believe to have cancer and then it turned out not to be cancer... it felt downright miraculous, not embarrassing at all. I hope once the immediate tumult has passed you can feel relief about not having any tissue death (that IS all-caps good news) and get your feet under you for whatever news comes next, but if it's good news please believe that everyone will experience it as good news. (If they try to make you feel embarrassed I highly recommend never talking to them again.)
posted by babelfish at 6:46 AM on April 19, 2023 [2 favorites]
Hi dude, sorry this is happening to you and I think I also speak for the community that I hope it's benign and everyone is here.
I wanted to say that I had a serious - as in the surgeon was shocked that the pathology report came back benign and I already had a treatment plan set up - cancer scare and it is exhausting and a big mental game (still grateful about my results of course.) Waiting for results sucks. In TV shows those results come back really fast, but in real life depending on the thing, it can take time (here pathologists are completely backed up so something slower growing takes longer to get results for.)
There is nothing wrong with talking to your friends and family throughout. Take good care of yourself, do the comforting things that work for you. The thing you're experiencing now, the 'waiting for results thing' is in and of itself a difficult time. It's okay that that uncertainty is hard.
posted by warriorqueen at 8:49 AM on April 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
I wanted to say that I had a serious - as in the surgeon was shocked that the pathology report came back benign and I already had a treatment plan set up - cancer scare and it is exhausting and a big mental game (still grateful about my results of course.) Waiting for results sucks. In TV shows those results come back really fast, but in real life depending on the thing, it can take time (here pathologists are completely backed up so something slower growing takes longer to get results for.)
There is nothing wrong with talking to your friends and family throughout. Take good care of yourself, do the comforting things that work for you. The thing you're experiencing now, the 'waiting for results thing' is in and of itself a difficult time. It's okay that that uncertainty is hard.
posted by warriorqueen at 8:49 AM on April 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
I am so so sorry this is happening to you. It's fine to tell your friends they found "a mass" and details are TBD pending further testing but the doctor is very concerned. I promise they will celebrate with you if the news is not so serious in the end. TELL YOUR PEOPLE, LET THEM HELP SUPPORT YOU THROUGH THIS. Even if it's not cancer, whatever it is they found is unlikely to be gifts and cash prizes, so you still have something where there ought not be something and you still will need support through some kind of treatment. (If it does turn out to be gifts and cash prizes in there somehow, you can pay for the celebration party.)
I'm 51, and a BUNCH of my friends have been through exactly this in the past couple years, and yes it was cancer a lot of times. We are all apparently pretty messed up in the plumbing, overall, as humans. Some of them were stage I simple basic treatment and frequent retesting for a while. Some of them were not, and the closest one to me was actually metastasized from elsewhere (really just a shocking dx for someone 45 + relatively healthy lifestyle and no symptoms) and the original prognosis was incredibly grim...and then he responded so well to chemo and radiation that they can't find anything to do surgery on. Like, historically, right now is the best possible time to get colon cancer because treatment options have improved so much in recent years.
And I hate that this is necessary to suggest, but along with using interpreters can you also have a hearing friend or acquaintance shadow you by Facetime/Zoom and take notes for you? As you recognize, it is very hard to remember things when you are in the middle of being traumatized by scary medical possibilities, and a friend will interject with questions they feel deserve more specific answers (or questions they can guess you'd ask if you had the bandwidth to think of them in the moment) in ways that an interpreter probably won't. You deserve clarity in these communications, and I suspect most of the medical professionals you're about to deal with are not going to have much training or experience with Deaf patients (or just have terrible people skills, this is also a problem sometimes).
On a somewhat lighter bit of advice, since they did find 'roids (we all have them, I promise, unless you are a very enthusiastic semi-raw-diet adherent): if your doctor additionally prescribed/advised upping your fiber - which they may or may not want you to start before any further tests, ASK if they didn't say - they're going to tell you to use Benefiber but a daily 1/2C of All Bran Buds (gotta be the buds, they're the only high-fiber cereal with psyllium husk) in kefir or yogurt for a couple of weeks and then drop down to the recommended 1/4C or 1/3C will make some remarkable improvements. It's actually pretty tasty, too.
If you do end up getting the bad kind of news, please memail me - I am pretty sure my friend's wife earned half a medical degree just researching specialists and treatments and I will see if she can share her notes.
posted by Lyn Never at 9:03 AM on April 19, 2023 [2 favorites]
I'm 51, and a BUNCH of my friends have been through exactly this in the past couple years, and yes it was cancer a lot of times. We are all apparently pretty messed up in the plumbing, overall, as humans. Some of them were stage I simple basic treatment and frequent retesting for a while. Some of them were not, and the closest one to me was actually metastasized from elsewhere (really just a shocking dx for someone 45 + relatively healthy lifestyle and no symptoms) and the original prognosis was incredibly grim...and then he responded so well to chemo and radiation that they can't find anything to do surgery on. Like, historically, right now is the best possible time to get colon cancer because treatment options have improved so much in recent years.
And I hate that this is necessary to suggest, but along with using interpreters can you also have a hearing friend or acquaintance shadow you by Facetime/Zoom and take notes for you? As you recognize, it is very hard to remember things when you are in the middle of being traumatized by scary medical possibilities, and a friend will interject with questions they feel deserve more specific answers (or questions they can guess you'd ask if you had the bandwidth to think of them in the moment) in ways that an interpreter probably won't. You deserve clarity in these communications, and I suspect most of the medical professionals you're about to deal with are not going to have much training or experience with Deaf patients (or just have terrible people skills, this is also a problem sometimes).
On a somewhat lighter bit of advice, since they did find 'roids (we all have them, I promise, unless you are a very enthusiastic semi-raw-diet adherent): if your doctor additionally prescribed/advised upping your fiber - which they may or may not want you to start before any further tests, ASK if they didn't say - they're going to tell you to use Benefiber but a daily 1/2C of All Bran Buds (gotta be the buds, they're the only high-fiber cereal with psyllium husk) in kefir or yogurt for a couple of weeks and then drop down to the recommended 1/4C or 1/3C will make some remarkable improvements. It's actually pretty tasty, too.
If you do end up getting the bad kind of news, please memail me - I am pretty sure my friend's wife earned half a medical degree just researching specialists and treatments and I will see if she can share her notes.
posted by Lyn Never at 9:03 AM on April 19, 2023 [2 favorites]
Another data point, my mom and her medical team thought her thyroid cancer had come back and she was like, almost enrolled in an experimental drug trial at freaking Sloan Kettering and then they did a final round of tests for that study and the cancer was in fact not back and the general reaction was oh thank God she's ok with a side of "how dare the doctors put you/us under this stress." So any annoyance at a false alarm will certainly go towards the doctor (or potentially terps).
Adding on to the positive anecdotes, a college friend (we're in our early 30s) just got through her surgery for colon cancer this past fall; no chemo required and she's on the mend.
posted by damayanti at 9:18 AM on April 19, 2023
Adding on to the positive anecdotes, a college friend (we're in our early 30s) just got through her surgery for colon cancer this past fall; no chemo required and she's on the mend.
posted by damayanti at 9:18 AM on April 19, 2023
Response by poster: Wanted to share a quick update that the doctor today confirmed that ischemia was separate from cancer, and that as they found a large mass in my colon, they're going to wait for the biopsy results.
So, bring on the waiting game. I'm going to keep telling myself that no matter what, it'll be okay—and based on some quick Googling I did yesterday, colon cancer is very common and curable, so that's a relief to know.
Still processing, still kind of in shock, still emotionally a roller coaster today, but doing what I can do.
Thanks again for all of your kind words.
posted by dubious_dude at 10:21 AM on April 19, 2023 [19 favorites]
So, bring on the waiting game. I'm going to keep telling myself that no matter what, it'll be okay—and based on some quick Googling I did yesterday, colon cancer is very common and curable, so that's a relief to know.
Still processing, still kind of in shock, still emotionally a roller coaster today, but doing what I can do.
Thanks again for all of your kind words.
posted by dubious_dude at 10:21 AM on April 19, 2023 [19 favorites]
Regarding the part about whether to tell people at this stage - a couple of years ago I had a shocking and unexpected death in my immediate family, and universally, people I told about it WANTED to help me and my family. It made them feel good! It gave them an opportunity to step up that clearly felt good to them as well as helping me. The whole experience radically changed the way I approach asking for help. Sure, not every single person I knew stepped up, or did so to the same degree, or was able to offer concrete support; but for those who did and could, it strengthened my relationships with them rather than burdening them. Please don’t feel like sharing your pain over this is something you need to apologize for. This is the whole point of being social animals!
posted by showbiz_liz at 12:27 PM on April 19, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by showbiz_liz at 12:27 PM on April 19, 2023 [2 favorites]
Sorry you're experiencing this, DD. If you're comfortable, please keep us updated.
posted by bearette at 6:37 AM on April 20, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by bearette at 6:37 AM on April 20, 2023 [2 favorites]
Just wanted to add to the chorus and let you know I'm rooting for you and sending you good vibes!
posted by hydra77 at 10:09 AM on April 20, 2023
posted by hydra77 at 10:09 AM on April 20, 2023
Thinking of you. This waiting is so hard, especially when you're navigating things alone. I hope you can be gentle with yourself.
It looks like a "mass" and a polyp are the same thing, and there are different kinds of polyps. Those are fairly easy to remove. Your dr will like you to do more frequent screening.
Ov I'm not your doctor or anyone else's, but I just wanted to note that a vague term like "mass" can encompass a lot of things.
posted by mermaidcafe at 6:27 PM on April 20, 2023
It looks like a "mass" and a polyp are the same thing, and there are different kinds of polyps. Those are fairly easy to remove. Your dr will like you to do more frequent screening.
Ov I'm not your doctor or anyone else's, but I just wanted to note that a vague term like "mass" can encompass a lot of things.
posted by mermaidcafe at 6:27 PM on April 20, 2023
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by dubious_dude at 6:42 PM on April 18, 2023 [1 favorite]