Question:
Zen,
Before my diagnoses of rectal cancer, I NEVER had consipation, the only time I had direahea was when I was sick. I was regular, nothing changed except for rectal bleeding (hemerroids) which I got from both sides of my family. And after being diagnosed, guess my stools were a bit smaller. I had no pain, while I had some gas, it was a vast improvement from what I had a couple of yrs earlier after a surgery (when I had alot of gas for about a yr). The bottom line is I had no symptosm other than rectal bleeding. My primary doctor thought this would be a good excuse to get my baseline colonoscopy done early (age 46). We were not expecting a cancer diagnoses.
I am a firm believer this cancer does not give off warning bells, which is ALSO why I believe all people should be check REGARDLESS of age.
Lee
Answer:
"I have had 3 instances of passing stools 1/4 inch wide by 2-3 inches long that were hard like rubber and twisted like a piece of pasta".
Yes, regarding this statement, I had resectioning done in April and am on Folfox now. While I'm hooked up to the pump, I have some strange bowel movements. Just today I had the rubbery, stringy pieces, very much like you discribed above. So that is not a sign of cancer because my tumor is gone. I think I've just got "weird working guts", excuse my terminology. I can have a bit of diarrhea, then a few hours later have hard bowel movement, later soft. I don't know what to think..... and it is normal for me to go several times a day. If you should ever have a spasm feeling in your rectum, that could be from a fissure. This could cause the small width of your stool too.
Try not to drive yourself crazy guessing what is wrong. I know that's easier said than done because I'm a worrier too. It is natural to be scared and concerned. Try to hang in there until you get the results. You will be in my prayers.
Take care,
BAMc
Answer:
an update:
I had a c-scope yesterday.
The doc found 3 small polyps all of which he removed during the procedure.
Waiting on the labs but he said he was sure that all the polyps were benign.
I am 41 and glad I had some symptoms and followed through on getting tested as if I had waited the 9 years until 50 those small polyps could have turned cancerous.
To everyone who comes here worrying about your bleeding or changes in bowel habits GET A COLONOSCOPY ASAP. The prep and test are such a small bother compared to the relief you will have in getting a clean bill of health or in the worst case getting the CC early enough to be treated effectively. I will push all my friends and family to get tested at 40 without symptoms or earlier if they have any bleeding or other signs. This terrible disease could be stopped in its tracks if people were more aware and less afraid of what is really a very simple procedure.
All the best to those fighting this horrible disease and thank you for your help in addressing my fears.
John
Answer:
Great news! I am so glad you had the colonoscopy and I am sure you are relieved. Luckily, the doctors can usually tell if a polyp is benign or malignant so the results of colonoscopies are usually immediate unless it is a large polyp that looks suspicious. Yours obviously do not. You are so right that it is a good thing you did not wait until age 50! I am glad the board members helped you through this!
Love and prayers,