Dave K3ZRF - Silent Key

[The Slab Bacon]

And in my case:  It's been one hell of a ride! ! ! ! !

[WA1GFZ]

Josh has his Dad's eyes and maybe the same smile if you could see through the forest.

[WA3VJB]

... is it best to comfort and console friends as they pass on and always live with those final snap-shots or to shy away and remember them being vibrant and full of life? I'm kind of ambivalent to it all.

Unless you're a naturally bitter and negative person, the memory tends to round off the harsh edges and lighten up the dark spots.

The value of your comfort and support is vital to the friends and loved ones, real time.

And in moving past what happens, the memories then help return to how you best remember that person and the times you've shared.

I dialed in and retrieved my lab results this morning.  "Entirely benign," the doctor said in the recorded message.   The two nodules they found and retrieved were "natural growth tissue," and as a result, he lowered my assessed risk and put me on a 10-year recheck timetable instead of the "average" category that recommends checks every 5 years.

Thanks, Dave !  I can't help but think he made some arrangements for me, and I'm all watery as I try to see to write this, dood.

[W3GMS]

Paul,
Great to hear that your results were good!  As they say. "see you in 10 years" for this kind of stuff is great news!
Joe

[w3jn]

Just a bump, and in the keeping of the spirit of ham radio where you discuss all health problems, wifey and I had this done together today.  No issues, but since my father had colon cancer I gotta go back every 5 years.

[WA3VJB]

Vy glad to hear this for the both of you, John.
Really don't feel like losing any more good folks if there's a way to prevent / intervene.
Getting ready was probably the worst -- but then the process is amazingly simple and you get a real good nap.

Now go have a hi hi FB meal somewhere and get caught up on your intake.

[KB2WIG]

FWIW,

There is a 'mail in' test that one can get from yer doc.  Its not as definitive as the 'bend over buckweat', but is better than nothing.


My doc sends me home with a  "Seracult", 'mail in', every year.


   >>>   Serial screening test for fecal occult blood  <<<


• These Seracult® guaiac tests are a qualitative aid in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer. They are designed for use in routine physical exams in doctors´ offices, hospitals, clinics and laboratories. Tests are available in single-slide, triple-slide or tape design and in kit form for mailing.

• Reliable detection of 90% of the colorectal cancers that bleed.


http://www.medplususa.com/list-product_info-p-Seracult_Fecal_Occult_Blood_Test_Single_Slide_100_Bx-pid-117.html


klc

[W3GMS]

Why mess around.  Have the real test done.  The mail in could be used in addition to the real test, but not as a substitute as far as I am concerned.   The next time I am at my Doc, I will ask about the mail in test but I bet I know what will be said! 

Joe, W3GMS

[The Slab Bacon]

Vy glad to hear this for the both of you, John.
Really don't feel like losing any more good folks if there's a way to prevent / intervene.
Getting ready was probably the worst -- but then the process is amazingly simple and you get a real good nap.

Now go have a hi hi FB meal somewhere and get caught up on your intake.

Datz Right!! Once they hit you with the "joy juice" You sleep like a rock!!
Not to mention that "sigh of relief" you get when you find out all is good!

[WD8BIL]

As part of the family cancer study program here at The Cleveland Clinic my last looksee was done with imaging. It is amazing the level of detail that was accomplished.

All clear for another 5 years!

[KB2WIG]

The 'mail in' is so you don't have to get the lunar probe every year. People with a history have a different shedule.

klc

[W1AEX]

...I gotta go back every 5 years.

After my last screening in March, my doctor informed me that there is a strong push within the AMA to reduce the 10 year screening period to 7 years, even for those who are classified as being in the level one (lowest) risk category. The feeling is that this would catch fast growing aggressive cases earlier and result in a significant increase in successful treatment. In fact, some are pushing to reduce it to 5 years, to assure even higher success rates. From the viewpoint of the doctors who are tasked with defeating colon cancer, this makes sense. Unfortunately, the procedure costs between 1000 to 2000 dollars and those on the accounting end are squawking. Should be interesting to see where it ends up. Even though I had no issues, his office put me down for another screening in 7 years, and they will call in 5 years to suggest a screening at that interval. Since I love the 64 oz Miralax cocktail, I'll go in 5 if my insurance will pay for the ride!

Rob W1AEX

[The Slab Bacon]

Since I love the 64 oz Miralax cocktail, I'll go in 5 if my insurance will pay for the ride!

You're lucky, Rob! I had to down a full gallon of this crap called "Go Lightly". I was told that it is better "served chilled or on the rocks". Kinda tasted like green Gatorade, YUK! !
It was supposed to replenish your electrolytes while emptying you out. That was the worst part! !

[WD8BIL]

Well Rob, my guess is within the next 7 to 10 years the imaging procedure being developed here will work it's way to the better hospitals in the country. You still gotta drink the cocktail for best results but after that it's a walk in the park...... with your clothes on!

[W1AEX]

It was supposed to replenish your electrolytes while emptying you out.

Yah Frank, keeping your electrolytes in balance during the "clean-out prep" is extremely important. It's my understanding that many of the deaths attributed to the widely used "Fleet Oral Enema Prep" (sodium phosphate) were a result of dehydration with subsequent organ failure. The lawsuits are still flying over that one!

 example - http://www.vlaw.com/DangerousDrugs%2Ffleetenema-content.html

At any rate, when using the new kinder and gentler preps, such as Miralax, mixing it with Gatorade is a really good idea to help keep your electrolytes somewhere close to normal.

Buddly, are you describing the "virtual colonoscopy" procedure? It's available at the affiliated hospital of the smaller facility I went to, but my insurance would not pay for it. Their explanation was that if the virtual colonoscopy detected an anomaly then it would need to be supplemented with a regular colonoscopy procedure to remove the polyp(s) or inspect the area of concern, which would mean 2 procedures instead of one. I guess, according to their math, one procedure was cheaper than two?

[K3ZS]

Years ago I had a sigmoidoscopy, it is like a colonoscopy but they only go half way and don't give the drugs.   It can be done by a nonspecialist.   It is painful, as you are completely awake and if they find a polyp, you have to get a colonoscopy anyway.   If your doctor suggests this procedure, refuse it and get the real deal instead.

[WD8BIL]

Yes Rob, that is what it is being labled as. Being in the family study program it's a free procedure for me as would be a follow up trip to remove any "anomoly", as you put it.

With the many instances of cancer in my family on both sides we were asked to participate in the study primarily to see how genectics play into the chance of cancer in individuals.

[W3SLK]

I didn't want to  resurrect an aging topic but I need to give credit where credit is due. I just returned this morning after having the proverbial 'exhaust port' scoped due in part to completing 50 laps around Ol' Sol. The doctor said I'm clean as a whistle and that I shouldn't need another for about 7 years. If it wasn't for the tragedy that had befallen of this thread, I probably would have kept putting it off. Thanks Dave!!!!!

[WA3VJB]

Mikey, excellent post.

It means a lot to have followed through.