Colon Cancer

robsguns · February 2002

Well, here it comes again. My uncle Ed, has colon cancer. Seems like all my family dies from cancer or heart disease. So, this is a reminder to those of you like me, dont put it off, get checked for it as you age. I'd ask for prayers, but that seems kind of hypocritical since I dont do it much myself. Uncle Ed is in his early 80s and is a great guy. I dont usually care enough to go home for funerals, but you can bet your last dollar I will when he goes, if he goes. For those of you that God listens to, drop a note for Uncle Ed, if you'd like, thanks, Ryan.

SSgt Ryan E. Roberts, USMC

timberbeast · February 2002

Consider Ed in my prayers. As well, yourself and family.

njretcop · February 2002

Ryan: I lost the first Mrs NJRETCOP to colon cancer when she was only 51 years old. She, up until that time, was extremely healthy with no symptoms of any kind. Of course, I will be happy to include Uncle Ed in my prayers and respectfully suggest you get back to praying on a regular basis. Also tell the people that you know that you love them NOW and not at their graveside, like many others have had to do. Sorry to sound like a preacher, but that is a lesson I had to learn the hardway. I pass it on to make life easier for those that have time to learn from it.-Charlie

It's the stuff dreams are made of AngelNRA Certified Firearms InstructorMember: GOA, RKBA, NJSPBA, NJ area rep for the 2ndAMPD. njretcop@copmail.com [This message has been edited by njretcop (edited 02-03-2002).]

pops401 · February 2002

Ryan, Uncle Ed is on my list. pops

robsguns · February 2002

Thanks guys. And I did too last night. njretcop, I know what you mean, and I'll take your advice with a smile, its good advice, I know.A little info. about who Uncle Ed is: My mothers uncle, my great uncle, sister of mom's mother, who's already passed some 7 yrs. ago. I THINK, he is one brother of about 12 children total. First generation of immigrant Dutch parents, straight from Holland. Hes a tall guy, over 6'. Always healthy and in good shape. He owned and ran his own saw mill up in Michigan, till a few years ago, when he decided to sell it, but continue on as 'the man in charge'. I cant for the life of me remember his last name, or the name of the town he lives in. He has lived in a nice cottage on a lake for the longest time, we use to love going to see him when we were kids, going swimming in the summer and snowmobiling in the winter. Its been years since I saw him last, I cant remember if it was my high school graduation, but I think it was, he looked really good then too. He remarried after his first wife died about 10 yrs. ago, I havent met her yet. Hes a man's man, ya' know, like a big lumberjack, with a deep voice and easy to laugh or smile. I sure hope this helps form a mental picture of a great guy. I like to know who I'm thinking about when people ask for prayers, ya know.

SSgt Ryan E. Roberts, USMC[This message has been edited by robsguns (edited 02-03-2002).]

varmit hunter · February 2002

Ryan,Both you and Ed are in my prayers.

Rembrandt · February 2002

5 years ago they found some colon polups that if left could have developed into cancer....since then I get a colonoscopy(SP?) done every 18 months as a precaution....it's pretty uncomfortable, but nothing compared to what colon cancer could bring. Lost a grandfather to colon cancer...if it runs in your family, get a checked up.

v35 · February 2002

Had a 1 1/2" flat colon tumor + a foot of intestine removed six years ago. Doc said just a thin membrane separated it from invading the liver. It was about five years in the making. Had it gone six more months I'd have been history. Surviving the five year mark was a critical milestone.It doesn't run in my family. I've since learned that it's wise to start looking after age 40, not with a proctoscope but with colonoscopy. My tumor was well beyond the reach of a proctoscope.Colonoscopy isn't bad because you're sedatedthrough an I.V. and can call for more if you are too up tight about it.

Gordian Blade · February 2002

I will second the opinion to see your uncle while he is alive. About 20 years ago, we had just had our first child, my wife had been laid off while pregnant and didn't have a regular job, I had lost my livelihood and was looking at having to move the family to wherever I could find a job. On top of that, my grandparents who lived on the other side of the country were starting to go downhill rapidly. It was a bad time to travel with winter and the little baby, and money was very tight, but nonetheless we scraped up the money and flew out to show the grandparents their first grandchild while they could still enjoy him. Within a year, they were both dead. Waiting for the funeral would have been too late. It was the best money we ever spent.

robsguns · February 2002

I dont have a lot of hope for this situation. My brother said last night that hes got 2 growths that have to be removed, the size of baseballs. Wont he have to go through all the therapy, would he be able to survive it if he was to go through it, thats whats going through my mind right now. I guess I better make a phone call to mom and see what the situation is. I've been avoiding it. Rob.

SSgt Ryan E. Roberts, USMC

v35 · February 2002

Rob- Run, dont walk, to the best gastroenterologist you can find and schedule yourself for a colonoscopy ASAP !!!As for your brother, survival probability depends on the size and class of the tumor(s) and whether they have metasticized. In any event time is the enemy . Dont waste a second in taking action in both cases.Denial and delay is the quickest route to an irreversable condition.If I've scared you into action. I've done my good deed for today.Good luckBob

robsguns · February 2002

v35, I made it sound like my brother has the growths in my last post, it was a mistake due to the wording, it should have said that my brother said my uncle Ed has the growths, sorry. Your advice is still taken seriously. I called my mom, I just found out that in addition to the problem my uncle has, my grandmother, grandfather, and great grandmother, all on my moms side, all died from colon cancer, I hadnt known that. My mom has already had herself examined, I'll be getting myself done sometime in the near future. Thanks, Rob.

SSgt Ryan E. Roberts, USMC

mopar · February 2002

Rob, I'll certainly keep your uncle in my thoughts and wish you and the rest of your family all the best in the world! I lost my granddad back in '87 to testicular cancer,it was very tough for all of us and I know how you feel about possibly losing someone you care for deeply.I'll say a little prayer for Uncle ED and for you to my friend.

UnclePat · February 2002

robsguns,been there, done that! I too had 2 enormous polyps, one the size of my fist, the other about half that. I used to suffer from cronic lower back pain - sometimes it was impossible to bend over to tie my shoes. The day they did the colonoscopy and cut those buggers out, a miracle - haven't had so much as a twinge in the back in the last 3 years. My surgeon was a bit baffled by that; he said that given the nature of polyps, the pain had to go somewhere. In my case it was felt in the lower back.Tell your Uncle to hang in there. He'll feel great after the surgery.

"Better than I was last time, but not as good as I'll be next time."

YankeeClipper · February 2002

We're with you Rob.

Colon Cancer

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