Doctor Has Told Me I Have The Start of Colon Cancer

[rsmith6621]

...Had a colostopy on Tuesday and had over 10 polyps removed. The post procedure consult the Endroscopy Dr said he had some concerns especially two polyps that he said would have to be removed surgically. A short time earlier today the same Dr called with pathology results and told the two polyps that need surgery have micro particles constant with the start of cancer. He said I should remain optimistic that one removed I should be able to go on with life with annual checks and a colon that will be 3 inches shorter.

I have a private health insurance policy and am unemployed. My deductible is 2.5K so I guess my wife and I will have to see if there are any safety net programs to help cut some of the cost down to a point where we do not place a heavier burden on an already heavy load. If anyone in DULand know how to play this fiddle I would be appreciative to any tips.


I am a fighter and though right now am is a bit of shock I will beat this like my Mom did 15 years ago. Thanks all in advance for your concerns and prayers.

[SDuderstadt]

1. Our thoughts are with you...

I wish I had more than that to offer.

[Liberal_in_LA]

2. k&r. Our thoughts are with you. Listen to the doc when he tells you to remain optimistic

[tabatha]

3. All good luck to you.

I hope you succeed.
Fight it! beat it!

[malaise]

4. Do the surgery outside of the US

Lots of medical tourism available. Good luck -don't delay.

[provis99]

13. that in itself says the US medical system is rotten to the core.

[malaise]

28. You know that n/t

[Bigmack]

5. I'm an incurable optimist...

Your prognosis sounds better.. a lot better... than if you hadn't had the 'scope. Actually, it sounds like you are going to be fine,

Hang in, hang tough. The money..? They can't take your life, so....

[sharesunited]

6. Is that a high deductible policy coupled with a health savings account?

[rsmith6621]

7. No HSA attachment.....

[sharesunited]

10. It's going on a credit card then?

[calimary]

8. Thank goodness you found this as early as you did!

Keeping you in our thoughts.

[abq e streeter]

9. No advice re:$ help (I wish I did, but hopefully someone will) but plenty of best wishes and prayers

I just got some good news yesterday from the Dr. about my weight loss combined with stomach issues that had me plenty scared. A visit to the gastro doc is coming up, but it looks like it's nothing major. I'm sorry your situation is not as good, but sounds like it has been caught early, and I have had enough scares about this to have learned that it's apparently a slow growing type of cancer. I think that it sounds like you have every reason to be optimistic, and with your self description as a fighter, I'm gonna bet on your prediction that you're gonna beat this.
Mods--I hope none of this is construed as medical advice, which was not the intention, and which I of course am totally unqualified to give even if it was allowed. But if it is, I understand deleting all or part of this reply.

[Mz Pip]

11. Sending good thoughts your way

It's scary just hearing those words but catching it early is the key and it looks like you have done just that. It looks like you have every reason to be optimistic.

Hang in there and stay positive. :hug:

[JimGinPA]

12. My Best Friend Had The Same Surgery - Twice

Almost 20 years after he was declared "cancer free" they found cancerous polyps & removed another few inches. Six months later he's healthy again.

Good luck!

[provis99]

14. sorry to hear that. You're one of the best on DU.

[grasswire]

15. you have my best wishes

...and I assume you have a lot to read and think about. We are here to listen, to support in our thoughts.

[MineralMan]

16. Given the early stage, I'm sure you'll be fine.

[GCP]

17. Could you talk to the surgeon

And ask if he could cut the fee a little?

[LeftinOH]

18. Found in the early stage! -that's a good thing. Best wishes.

[xchrom]

19. May the Blessings of Good Health be with you. Nt

[nolabear]

20. Sounds like you have good reason to be optimistic, but I know it's scary.

Hang in there. All good vibes coming your way.

[Javaman]

21. Early detection is everything.

I wish my dad understood that 11 years ago. :(

Stay tough, stay positive and you can beat it.

Cheers and thoughts with you.

[Vinca]

22. It sounds like you caught it very, very early so stay calm and be optimistic.

I had a friend diagnosed with advanced colon cancer a few years back and he's beaten it.

[WinkyDink]

23. {{rsmith6621}} You are on the path to good health.

[monmouth]

24. Thoughts, prayers and good vibes go out to you. Stay positive...n/t

[rucky]

25. This may be a job for Wishadoo

:shrug:

[REP]

26. Contact the hospital's social services office (or whatever it's called at your hospital)

Many hospitals, especially teaching hospitals, have programs for people with limited finances. My cancer was treated through one such program at no cost to me when I had no insurance. Even though you do have insurance, the deductible is a burden; it costs you nothing to talk to your hospital's program to find out what is available. :-) Most hospitals are staffed by people who really do want to help, believe it or not (and I'm NO fan of hospitals!).

Good luck and good health!

[slackmaster]

27. It runs in my family. You did well to catch it as early as you did.

Good luck in your treatment.

[kestrel91316]

29. My BIL's dad, late 70s, fought and beat colon cancer a couple of years ago.

Good luck. They caught it early, you'll do fine.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

30. In the late 80s, I worked for SmithKline Diagnostics...

...maker of the Hemoccult Fecal Occult Blood Test, which...at the time...was the leading product used for early detection of colorectal cancer.

The "start" is the best place to beat it...early detection, for this specific kind of cancer, is the best weapon against it.

Prayers and good vibes by the truckload headed your way.

[Raine]

31. All the very best to you! You are so lucky

my cousin's wasn't caught till it was stage 4 :-( but your's was detected early and you have plenty of options. I KNOW you will beat this and have a long healthy life. :hug:

[TroglodyteScholar]

32. Colon cancer is one of the most defeatable cancers.

Keep a good attitude and follow your doctor's advice. You'll be fine for many years to come.

[applegrove]

33. vibes to you and yours. You are lucky they caught it early.

[a kennedy]

34. *hugs* and good luck....

get healthy first, deal with the $$$ later.

[pacalo]

35. I'm sorry that you're having to go through this.

The GOOD news is that it was found early, so you did good by getting the colonoscopy done.

My mother had a lump in her breast that was the size of a golf ball but never told anyone in 1999. It was cancer & her breast was removed. It's 11 years later & she's cancer-free at 79 yrs. old.

I wish you the best & I'll pray for you. :hug:

[joeybee12]

36. Shit...hopefully they caught it soon...best thoughts and wishes...knr

:grouphug:

[denbot]

37. Vibes for you. You are one of the lucky ones to catch it very early.

Best wishes finding the assistance you need.

[sabrina 1]

38. I am sorry and sending best wishes for a complete recovery.

I think that since it was discovered your chances are very good. Good that you had the test. I don't know anything about your other question re coverage. Hopefully someone else will.

[pnwmom]

39. You have an excellent prognosis as you know. This is why we do colonoscopies.

I'm happy for you.

:hug:

[slipslidingaway]

40. Sorry to hear this, but it sounds like they caught this early, something that ...

helped us significantly last year. Just in case you or someone else reading this needs to travel outside their area to receive treatment.

Also make sure to look at your annual out of pocket maximum on your policy, not just the deductible - and good luck :)

http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/SupportProgramsServices/HopeLodge/index

"What Is Hope Lodge?

Facing cancer is hard. Having to travel out of town for treatment can make it even harder. Yet the American Cancer Society has a place where cancer patients and their caregivers can find help and hope when home is far away - an American Cancer Society Hope Lodge.

Each Hope Lodge offers cancer patients and their caregivers a free, temporary place to stay when their best hope for effective treatment may be in another city. Not having to worry about where to stay or how to pay for lodging allows guests to focus on getting well. Hope Lodge provides a nurturing, home-like environment where guests can retreat to private rooms or connect with others. Every Hope Lodge also offers a variety of resources and information about cancer and how best to fight the disease.

Currently, there are 31 Hope Lodge locations throughout the United States. Accommodations and eligibility requirements may vary by location..."

[mzmolly]

41. I'm very sorry RM. But, I am glad that it was addressed early. I found some infomration that may be

of help to you.

Lots of information at the link below.

http://www.cancercare.org/pdf/fact_sheets/fs_financial_en.pdf

And, here is another resource that may be of help.

The national American Cancer Society (ACS) office can provide the telephone number of the local ACS office serving your area. The local ACS office may offer reimbursement for expenses related to cancer treatment including transportation, medicine, and medical supplies.

Telephone: 1–800–ACS–2345 (1–800–227–2345)

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

[donheld]

42. All the best to you.

Hope you get good care and are ok.

[bluestate10]

43. Ask your doctor to talk to any nearby teaching hospital. Be up front about

your financial situation.

[Maru Kitteh]

44. You certainly have all my thoughts and prayers. Don't cut corners. Fight hard. Eat more veggies.

For the rest of your life - red meat is your enemy. Fiber is your friend. Your priority is raw fruits and veggies, and whole grains. Drink LOTS of water. Tea is good too.

When my mom got very sick after 2 strokes she needed very expensive medicine. We went through every corner, nook, drawer and storage space of her house and ours and had a HUGE garage sale. We pulled in about $1300 from that sale. Something to think about.

I'm so glad your problem was caught so early. I wish you nothing but the best, and you and yours have our prayers.

[mwdem]

45. Finding it early is good.

Stay positive, and fight!!

[Rozlee]

46. Wishing only the best for you

I'm sure you'll be fine and fighting against the RW machine with us until Skynet takes over our computers. :hug:

[woo me with science]

47. That has to shake you up. Geez.

I am very glad they caught it early but sorry you have to go through all the emotional crap that must come with it.

Wishing you the very best - strength and courage and health.

[cascadiance]

48. My best friend from college had surgery for this sort of condition a year ago...

He's gone through chemo last year, and so far in recent checkups has been clear of any cancer. Has to continue getting checked frequently for at least five years before he can feel relatively comfortable that they got it out of his system, but hoping you can get this licked too like he has for the moment. And I think he'd had it spread more than you have too when they found it.

[spooky3]

49. would you qualify for Medicaid in your state?

best wishes to you

[XanaDUer]

50. Thoughts are with you

It's scary, I know. In other words, this was a pre-malignant situation, per a biopsy, and will now have to be monitored throughout your life (single-payer insurance NOW!), but it was caught in time? Thank goodness.

Sending healing thoughts your way.

[laylah]

51. I have no idea

how to "play this fiddle"; however, my thoughts and loving, healing prayers are sent your way. I will put on the "thinking cap" though. In the meantime, :hug:

[Corruption Winz]

52. I hope AND believe you will get through this one..

Sadly, with the way things are, paying for it might be the hardest part. I wish I could help in that department.

[Lifelong Protester]

53. Good vibes sent your way for a speedy recovery!

Caught early sounds very good!

I don't know if you are anywhere close to a Mayo facility, but I know they have a "Samaritan's Purse" foundation to help with situations like yours (needing to meet that deduct). Many hospitals have such a program. As was listed up thread, it doesn't hurt to ask.

Keep positive, get cranky when you want, but I say you have the best chances for a great outcome.

[blondeatlast]

54. There are programs to help with the expenses. Prayers and warmest regards

for you and yours from Phoenix. Stay tough, friend.