October 2019

Below are the entries in my journal for October 2019.  Some of the entries are are just quick notes, while some are more expanded. I figure it's better to just get it in a post and I'll fill in blanks later. 


October 3, 2019

Ever have that feeling that everything’s happened just the way it’s happened for a reason? From here on out, I’ve had that feeling. Like the stars aligned just so, just for me. 

I went to Dr. N’s office to check in for my appointment, got settled in, and waited to do my whole blood pressure and all of that mess. After all of those things were done, I was led to my room and waited for Dr. N. When he came in, we chatted about the blood in my stool, how often it was happening, and all sorts of other details about it. So much poop talk! 

Colon polyps run in the family, so I brought in the list of types of polyps that have been found. Dr. N told me most people aren’t that prepared on which types and all of that. He was thankful that I was. After seeing the list, he immediately started talking about a colonoscopy and that it’d help him get a better idea of what was going on. Obviously, I knew that was coming and was fully prepared for it. 

He was pretty convinced that without any other symptoms, we’d probably be looking at a few polyps, but maybe something else like hemorrhoids, Chrone’s disease, etc. He said that in my age group, cancer is rare and something he sees only 1-2 times a year. I almost asked if he had met his “quota” for the year, but decided against it. 

He said he was going to walk me up to the scheduler’s desk because he really wanted to get me in for the colonoscopy sooner rather than later. They were scheduled out until early December and he didn’t want me to wait quite that long.

When we got up the scheduler, he said “I need you to schedule her for a colonoscopy. But, make sure she doesn’t leave October without having it done. Over-schedule me if you have to.” Back in the room he had told me not to worry too much, but it sounded more concerning here. I tried not to dwell on it too much. We scheduled it for October 24 and they let me know how I’d get my prep stuff and all of that. 

October 4-22, 2019

Life has continued as normal. Dr. N’s office has outsourced the prep instructions and items to a company. They text you updates about what you should be doing/expecting. So, 7 days out, they text you to remind you that you have the procedure coming up and to start eating low fiber diet. They text to make sure you have a driver. They text to make sure you stop eating things that are red. You know… everything! 

We went camping with friends over the weekend before the colonoscopy. It was nice to be with people, take our minds off of stuff, and just enjoy life. 

October 23, 2019

Colonoscopy prep

October 24, 2019

We got to the hospital at 8am(ish) and got checked in. After I was checked in, they brought me back to the prep area, had me change, and got me ready for the procedure. IV in my right hand, anesthesiologist came in to chat, all that good stuff. Around 9:15, they took me back and got started.

Dr N was convinced it’d be an easy procedure, he didn’t think he’d find too much. 

Around 10am, Jon said that Dr N came out and told the person’s driver that was next in line that he hadn’t started with her yet because he was running behind. Jon immediately knew that something had not gone well with me since I was the first in that morning.

They eventually got me to wake up (which apparently wasn’t the easiest to do) and Jon came back. After they let me go to the bathroom & get dressed, they had us go into the office and wait for Dr N. 

“You made me work this morning. I don’t like what I found at all.” Dr N proceeded to tell us the immediate findings: 29 polyps that were under 9mm, one that was 9mm, one that was 18mm, and a 2.5cm mass. They removed all of the polyps, but couldn’t get the mass. He biopsied the mass. He sent everything to pathology. Hopefully, they’ll get back to him on Saturday or Sunday with the pathology report.

31 polyps and a mass. Wait, what? None of us were expecting that.

His immediate recommendation was to remove my entire colon, just because of the sheer number of polyps. But, he’s waiting to give an actual recommendation until after pathology is back.

Mind, blown. I’m not sure where we go from here, but I don’t have an amazing feeling about it.

October 25-29, 2019

You know what sucks? Waiting. No call on Saturday & Sunday. I really don’t think this is good news. I mean, I know at least 32 samples were sent, but there’s no way it’s good. 23andme report shows MAP as a genetic condition.

October 30, 2019

Cancer

Calling all the peeps

October 31, 2019

Bloodwork

Scans tomorrow

Surgical Oncologist will call tomorrow or Monday to schedule