Question for anyone who has had bowel surgery

[bcipam]

Well, like your husband I had symptoms as well before I went in. This last March I started having cramping and what I thought were stomach issues. My bowel habits changed (from once a day to 2 - 3) and by April/May I noticed noticing bright red blood after I wiped. OK ladies I know this is gross sounding but I want you to know what happened to me so it doesn't happen to any of you. I thought the blood was from hemorroids (sp?) 'cause I was going to the bathroom and straining so much.

In May I went to my GP and he immediately ordered a colonoscopy and referred me to Dr. Debian. Now I wasn't particularly concerned. I had chalked all my problems up to stress. In March alot of bad emotional things had happened to me (yes, involving a man - what else) and I was very depressed and upset over them, I thought that caused my stomach problems. Anyway, the colonoscopy was scheduled for June; I prepared for it, was in the hospital, IV hooked up and everything but due to an earlier patient problem, left without having the scope and rescheduled.

I got the first appointment of the day so I wouldn't have the same problem that occurred in June and had to wait until August 28 for that. Again I thought no problem, it's just stress and it will go away. But it didn't. Symptoms remained the same and now after doing some research realized I have all (not just some - ALL) of the colon/rectum symptoms. I put off what I should have done in April and basically I put off what my GP has been asking me to do since I turned 50.

If anyone is having "stomach" distress - please check out websites on colon cancer and see if you have some of the symptoms. If so - get thee to a doctor and have it scoped. If I had gone to the doctor early - it could have been removed during the scope and would never have progressed into the mass I'm dealing with today.

I also don't mind hearing the horror stories. It lets me know what can happen, what might occur. I need to learn to be prepared for the worst. Than if it's not the worst, I can let out a sigh of relief.

Ladies... I thank you so much for this opportunity and forum to discuss my concerns. Makes me feel so comfortable knowing I have some way of letting out and dealing with someof this stress. Your good thoughts, warm wishes and prayers are more appreciated than you know. Thank you, thank you all soooooooooo much.