Question for anyone who has had bowel surgery

[emily_in_nc]

bcipam,

Did they do a biopsy of the mass? I am assuming that it is benign (sure hope so) since you didn't say otherwise.

I don't have any wisdom to offer as I have been blessed never to go through anything like what you are facing, but I do send you my best wishes for good health and a speedy recovery.

When is your surgery? Please come back and tell us all how you did afterwards (I know you will.)

Take care,
Emily

[bcipam]

Well just an update the mass is malignant (yes the big "C") and has to be removed. I went to visit the surgeon today and was promptly told they don't take my insurance (United Healthcare Choice Plan Plus) $350 please for the initial visit and I will have to put the full 30% (my share for an out of network doctor) up front before the surgery. So I walked out. Spent the entire afternoon trying to find a surgeon in my area who would do the surgery at my preferred hospital (St. Joseph in Orange, CA). There isn't one. So Plan B and maybe Plan C. I found a doctor, but he operates at the hospital not in the plan. Have to find someone and someone soon. Geez with all the other stuff I have to worry about never thought I would have to worry about my insurance. It's is another world nowadays.

I complete my testing tomorrow and am ready to go... just right now I don't know where that is....

It's funny everything i read said I should see a surgeon and then seek a second opinion. Great I can't even get the first opinion much less a second!!!!

Need to get this taken care, its making me alittle depressed and keeping me off my bike. Not good. not good at all!

[salsabike]

Hang in there, bcipam. My dad had colon cancer, a quarter of his colon removed, and went right on trucking---so just know that it can happen and work out OK...

[Tiffanie]

Pam, I'm really sorry you're having such trouble with your insurance. That should be the last thing you have to deal with.

Keeping you in my thoughts...

[DeniseGoldberg]

Pam -
I hope that you can quickly find a doc who can do your surgery in your hospital of choice and who is covered by your health plan. If you continue to have problems finding that person - do you think it might be worth a call to your health plan to see if they can give you some names. (Oh, I know that you probably already thought of that, but just in case...)

In the meantime I'm sending good thoughts and wishes your way. Best luck, and please keep us posted.

--- Denise

[Duck on Wheels]

Oh Good Grief! The US needs to get a national health system! Everybody's insured. It costs LESS than what you folks are paying now. And that nonsense about "choice"? Don't make me, well, I'd say laugh, but it ain't funny. Not in this situation, it ain't.

But as for recovering from surgery ... The big issue is the incision. As somebody up above said, if they can do the surgery laparoscopically (so-called "keyhole" surgery) then that doesn't take long. If it's an incision from breast bone to pubic bone, then it takes some weeks, even months of training to get back to where you can stand up straight, walk as fast as before, and then a bit more to build up the core strength for a long bike ride. But that said ... I no longer remember how long it took. I only intellectually recall the pain involved. The sensory memories are now long gone. Of course, your recovery time may also be affected by additional treatments. After the surgery they may want you to do some radiation or chemo therapy to catch any stray cells. But you'll cross that bridge if it gets erected in front of you.

Keeping fingers crossed for you. Remission rates (i.e. cure rates) are good for bowel cancer. Let's hope you're with the majority on this one and do just fine once you've found your surgeon.

[tprevost]

Pam,

I've been off the boards lately and Tiffanie brought this to my attention. I am so bummed to hear about what you are going through. My thoughts and prayers are with you ... and please, you have all my numbers, if you need anything at all, please let me know.

Tracy

[caligurl]

GAWD how i HATE insurance companies!

[Trekhawk]

Pam - that is terrible news. I hope you find a Doctor soon and get on the way to recovery.

Sending positive vibes your way.

[bcipam]

Something more positive - and thanks all for "talking" with me and directing me through this... I have found 3 doctors in my area that are Board certified and work through good hospitals (so I figure they must be OK or the hosptial would provoke privileges). Will be calling the attending physician today to see if their office will help me contact and select a doctor. How scary not knowing the doctor before having the surgery. Talk about an act of faith!!! I'm also going to make an appointment with the Attending and ask him to provide more details about my diagnosis and pronosis. Hopefully after the CT Scan today he will have a complete picture of my disease and how it can be treated.

A good friend called last night who happens to do cancer research of all things, and talked to me for some time about the disease, how its treated, etc. The prognosis looks very good and I'm much more positive today than yesterday.

BTW a note to all those out there who take having a life partner for granted... it's times like this it would be so much easier to get through the down times if someone I loved could just give me a big hug and say "I'll be with you through this..." You can't imagine how alone at times I feel even though I am very blessed to have loving and caring friends and family. My Faith is also a pillar for me right now. But it would sure be nice to have that love one close by.

Take good care of those DH's and BF's and of yourselfs. My best friend's mom just had a stroke. She is 5 years older than me. Turns out she hadn't been to a doctor since the birth of her last child (38 years ago!!!). She has uncontrol diabetes and the stroke was related. If she went to a doctor on a regular basis this never would have happened. AND if I had the screening test when my GP doctor first started bullying me to do it, I wouldn't be in this situation. Get those Mammograms and colon screenings when you are supposed to. Don't be stupid like me!!!!