PSA - Please pay attention to what your body says to you

[chirurgeon]

I haven't posted this for a while. But I want to get the message out there. If your body starts to do something unusual, please pay attention. Mine did this to me 5 years ago and I ignored it for a while. Turned out I had rectal cancer. Well, 4 3/4 years after I was diagnosed, I am cancer free for 4 1/2 years and enjoying life. Just had a colonoscopy on Friday as a regular follow up since I was diagnosed prior to age 50. I HATE the prep for colonoscopies, I've had 5 in the past few years. But it is the BEST diagnostic tool and preventer of rectal and colon cancer. An evening of unpleasantness is worth your life. And my dr. gave me the all clear. And I don't need another one for THREE years. Yippee!!!

OK, please return to our regular programing.

Kim

 

[WaltD4Me]

Great news Kim! Congrats!

 

[JFrey4240]

Kim--That is great news!! I agree--do not ignore what your body is telling you. You'll know when something doesn't seem right. Here's to another all clear report in three years!

 

[mdvlprof]

Great news!

Do not put it off. Some of us have to learn the hard way. I knew something wasn't right. Planned to have it looked at after the end of semester. Had a stroke before could have it looked at.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Awesome news!!!!!

 

[mainegal]

Yay, Kim!

In addition to not ignoring your body's messages, also follow Kim's advice and take advantage of diagnostic tests - colonoscopy, mammogram, PAP, etc.

Also, treat your body well. Mine is telling me to get more sleep!

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I am SO glad to hear this news, Kim! Congrats!!!!!

 

[BriarRosie]

Awesome news and good warning.

 

[kab407]

Awesome new Kim!!!!

 

[SoScary'09]

Great to hear!!!!! Well wishes to you in the years to come

 

[snowy76]

Thanks for posting this. My story is not as serious as yours, but your post makes me want to share:

Last year I was feeling extremely run down, so I finally scheduled a physical with a new doctor (my old one was a jerk and I'd stopped going to him). Well, all my tests came back okay. But it was the fact that the doctor kept asking me "anything else? anything else?" He really wanted to make sure I left having asked ALL my questions.

Well, I finally started asking him about my fatigue and moodiness. Depression and anxiety run in my family and the doc recognized I had major depression (I'd lived with it so long I just figured this was how everyone else felt all the time). We also found out I'm vitamin D deficient. Fast-forward a year, I've been on antidepressants and a D supplement and have never felt better emotionally. Other than my weight, I think this has been the best year of my adult life

 

[safetymom]

Great news Kim!!!

 

[CBisMe]

Wow. So great, and I need to share my advice too.

Keep pushing your doctors. Never give up, and don't take "Nothing we can do" as an answer.

I was diagnosed with a degenerative ligament and tissue disorder back in middle school (I"m 41 now). After years of treatments, Physical Therapy, and surgeries - they finally said there was nothing more they could do for me. I refused to accept that as an answer.

I pushed them to get me into an experiential treatment program, and long story short... I'm off my pain meds and my cane for the first time in over 15 years! It's a slow healing, but everyday get's a little bit better. It won't be "perfect"- but I'm so excited that I am sooo much better!

I'm celebrating by treating myself to the Disneyland '55 celebration, where I plan on WALKING around Disneyland unassisted!

 

[cv workout]

Thanks for sharing your good news. I'm really glad to hear it.

 

[Launchpad11B]

Super news Kim! And also great advice, my bodies telling me to go get a beer!

 

[Cherinva]

Great News Kim !!! And thanks for sharing your story. I went through my first colonosopy a couple of years ago.....against my wishes mind you...but my brother lost his life to colon cancer and the doctor said the test was necessary...I agree the "prep" is aweful, but once I got to the office to have it done, I don't remember a thing after that. My test has me cancer free and I have to go back after 3 years for another one, and when that one is free, then I don't have to have another for 5 years. In the long run, it is worth it.

 

[SamSam]

Great news Kim!

 

[lodgelady]

I am so happy for you!

 

[astrodrummergirl]

Congrats and great advise! Now if only doctors would understand that we know our bodies a little better than they think we do!

 

[Mrs D]

Good news and thanks for sharing. It's a good reminder that even though we don't *want* to we sometimes *need* to.

Nice to hear other's stories on how testing and being in charge of your body pays off!