Welp, I got diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer :C
- Thread starter amoy
- Start date
I had a colonoscopy a few months ago. My GI told me that the recommended age was still officially 55 but it was in the process of being changed. But to insurance companies, they still won't cover the full cost for people under 55 because they don't consider it necessary or preventative. So I ended up on the hook for over $1,500. Fortunately, I could afford it. But millions can't. It's not right.
Wishing you the best OP, after Chadwick this has been in the back of my mind and I just turned 30 this year. I want to get tested but -
-this is fucking horrible and makes me hesitant. That's a lot of money to drop for me, I can afford it but that's definitely on a credit card in the future payment situation. Frustrating. I hope you beat this shit OP, we're all rooting for you.
Also, you're handling this a lot better than I would honestly. I'd probably be a whole wreck...or get so stressed that I'd default to feeling nothing. Your high spirits are inspiring.
-this is fucking horrible and makes me hesitant. That's a lot of money to drop for me, I can afford it but that's definitely on a credit card in the future payment situation. Frustrating. I hope you beat this shit OP, we're all rooting for you.
Also, you're handling this a lot better than I would honestly. I'd probably be a whole wreck...or get so stressed that I'd default to feeling nothing. Your high spirits are inspiring.
I am wishing you all the luck in the world OP - I am so truly sorry - Keep fighting the good fight.
FUCK CANCER.
FUCK CANCER.
Man, sending you energy OP. The Chadwick thread really scared the hell out of a lot of us here. I've had on and off stomach shit over the years and always figured it was undiagnosed IBS but since that thing happened with Chadwick this has really been on the back of my mind now that I'm in my mid 30's. I think paying for a scope out of pocket is like $3K which is just insane.
Can confirm. Have Crohn's, get colonoscopies.
Though im Canadian so it didn't cost me anything.
Tough to read OP, sending you all the strength necessary to overcome whatever is ahead of you. Love your attitude and that you have people surrounding you that care for you. Again...wishing you the best and thanks for creating this thread on ERA and sharing your experience, too many of us take life and health for granted and these kind of reminders can be very helpful.
It depends on your condition I think. My wife has UC and has had small polyps removed in her 30s, she has to get one every couple years and it's mostly covered.
The new recommendation is 45. Depending on risk factors you should be getting screened every 3-5 years or even more often.
Hoping for the best OP. Sending luck and love, take all our energy!
Why does this post seem relatable? Not sure if that's the word I'm looking for but yeah. I don't have cancer of any sorts but is something that I can envision. It sounds devastating though and I can only hope things get better from here. Fight the good fight and keep some positive vibes!!!!!!!
Yeah that's not cool at all. However if there is cornern I have to imagine it being covered??
But as a SCREENING, it needs to change.
For those being charged for colonoscopy, was it recommended by your primary or a gastroenterologist who was possibly referred by your Primary? By chance do you have GERD or IBS?
As someone who has both I always get mine covered when I have them done. My prior diagnosis basically takes care of it for me.
There is also the annoyance of making sure one or both are in network with your plan. It's the annoying part about healthcare insurance. Always need to make sure you're not being send somewhere out of network.
As someone who has both I always get mine covered when I have them done. My prior diagnosis basically takes care of it for me.
There is also the annoyance of making sure one or both are in network with your plan. It's the annoying part about healthcare insurance. Always need to make sure you're not being send somewhere out of network.
As a cancer survivor of 12 years, I am so sorry! I know exactly what you meant about everyone else worried while you were numb, and the having a breakdown post surgery, that happened to me too, excuse it all happened so damn fast.
Yeah..I think many of us suvivors go through that? I was pretty unfazed about it..while my family and friends were fretting. I didn't have colon cancer..but I guess my brain is just thinking about next steps..just so busy with so many appointments and tests.. its strange.
I remember my doctor calling while I was playing MGS4, and said you have cancer, I said ok, surgery next Tuesday, got it. We hung up and I went right back to playing. It wasn't until after surgery that I had the why me moments where I cried etc...
I think its going to be once I get Radiation, and I have to isolate myself from my family for up to a week where its going to hit me hard. But I digress, this is not my place to talk about me, but us Cancer survivors need to support our ERA Cancer folks and survivors.
So sorry to hear OP. Wishing you all the best.
I was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in august 2019. I had lots of digestive issues for a while before and major weight loss at some point. I even had a doctor try to order a colonoscopy and my insurance didn't approve it. I'm 37 now and was probably 34 or so at that time. Eventually it was discovered when like you I had a test that showed extremely low hemoglobin levels and needed two colonoscopies to get it officially diagnosed.
Unfortunately mine spread to my bladder and prostate and I dealt with multiple rectal abscesses that needed to be incised and drained. I had a bad experience with my first Oncologist who didn't want to order a colostomy to be placed against the recommendation from a surgeon. Eventually I got a new Oncologist who did order one and I had that done in February last year. I was just getting over surgery when lockdown started. I had also separated from my wife in October 2019 and moved into an apartment by myself in January.
I underwent the same type of chemo you mentioned but it didn't do much for me. You're probably going to experience neuropathy side effects from chemo that will affect your hands and feet that will be sensitive to cold temperatures like I did. Buy some gloves and prepare your feet if you'll be in cold weather. Warming them up if you do experience it should reverse the effect. I'm still suffering from a numbness in my right thigh and feet as a side effect from that chemo more than a year after my last treatment.
The worst part of my treatment for me was radiation therapy. I did that in May last year. 25 total treatments 5 days a week for 5 weeks. It wreaked havoc on my rectal abscesses but did reduce the size of my tumor.
This last October I had major surgery to have my colon, bladder and prostate removed. They also removed some skin from my abdomen to replace the affected tissue where the abscesses were. I also had to have another surgery in December to address an opening they couldn't quite reach during the first surgery and I'm still recovering from that currently.
I'm currently trying to get the COVID vaccine as soon as possible as my Oncologist wants to get me back on chemo to address any traces of cancer that may still be left in me after surgery but it's a struggle to get it at the moment.
I've joined an online support group for young people with cancer that I can PM you about if you're interested.
I was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in august 2019. I had lots of digestive issues for a while before and major weight loss at some point. I even had a doctor try to order a colonoscopy and my insurance didn't approve it. I'm 37 now and was probably 34 or so at that time. Eventually it was discovered when like you I had a test that showed extremely low hemoglobin levels and needed two colonoscopies to get it officially diagnosed.
Unfortunately mine spread to my bladder and prostate and I dealt with multiple rectal abscesses that needed to be incised and drained. I had a bad experience with my first Oncologist who didn't want to order a colostomy to be placed against the recommendation from a surgeon. Eventually I got a new Oncologist who did order one and I had that done in February last year. I was just getting over surgery when lockdown started. I had also separated from my wife in October 2019 and moved into an apartment by myself in January.
I underwent the same type of chemo you mentioned but it didn't do much for me. You're probably going to experience neuropathy side effects from chemo that will affect your hands and feet that will be sensitive to cold temperatures like I did. Buy some gloves and prepare your feet if you'll be in cold weather. Warming them up if you do experience it should reverse the effect. I'm still suffering from a numbness in my right thigh and feet as a side effect from that chemo more than a year after my last treatment.
The worst part of my treatment for me was radiation therapy. I did that in May last year. 25 total treatments 5 days a week for 5 weeks. It wreaked havoc on my rectal abscesses but did reduce the size of my tumor.
This last October I had major surgery to have my colon, bladder and prostate removed. They also removed some skin from my abdomen to replace the affected tissue where the abscesses were. I also had to have another surgery in December to address an opening they couldn't quite reach during the first surgery and I'm still recovering from that currently.
I'm currently trying to get the COVID vaccine as soon as possible as my Oncologist wants to get me back on chemo to address any traces of cancer that may still be left in me after surgery but it's a struggle to get it at the moment.
I've joined an online support group for young people with cancer that I can PM you about if you're interested.
Wishing you the best, OP. Keep up the positivity.
On another note, was upset as soon as I read this because I knew the OP was not in America because having companies care for their employees like this here is a pipe dream.
Sending hugs and well wishes, OP. You have such a great attitude in spite of it all, it's very inspiring.
I get it covered 100% with my insurance. At my local hospital without insurance the cost is $7000. Fucking crazy.
I've been trying to get one for a couple of years. The GI doc and my PCP both say the recommended age for AA men has been dropped to 45 but most insurance still dont want to approve it if you are under 50 without family history. I'm past 45 so the GI Doc says he is going to fight to get it done.
