Is there a "Doctor" in the house?

[5thhorseman]

This is all private insurance Donny?

Medicare only covers a FIT test for me as I don't have enough risk factors to be covered for a colonoscopy. I'm not sure where the PSA test fits in though, as I indicated above.

[donlever]

Yeah, I pay outside the system for a portion of what I do health wise.

My grandfather died of prostate cancer so that's my PSA "in".....

[5thhorseman]

My dad got it in his mid-80s (still alive and well) but that wasn't enough.

[donlever]

Interesting.....

[2Fingers]

Every year 5th as part of my annual physical (which is just around the corner for circa '25 as I think about it) with my bloods, urines and stools.

Been doing colonoscopy every 5 years since age of 35.

Anyone reading this and not having annual physicals & testing(s) done I highly suggest you get on it.

Early detection, as evidenced by theman, is key.

100% agree, as soon as I turned 40 I started increasing my annual physicals. Get the FIT test every time they send it to me, I tested positive with a mild amount of blood showing up. Did the colonoscopy last month and it was all negative. Doctor said my test probably showed up positive because I had radiation in January and I did the test in April/May. Not sure if I am now considered risky and I have to do the test more often.

5th - I get once a month a test called NPM1 that is specifically designed to test for my type of Leukemia. I feel confident that they can do a lot of testing with your blood to detect cancer. I know every time I had a lumbar puncture they tested my blood. This is one thing I have learnt in my journey the amazing progress in how they can test you without any invasive procedure. Even a bone marrow transplant is much simpler than it used to be. Not easy but still less invasive.

Thanks everyone for your words, I visited this place a lot (when I felt good) during my hospital stays as I had many down hours and reading the stuff going on here kept my mind off my condition.

theman - my thoughts are with you, I (and many others here) understand what you are thinking.

my favourite saying now is fuckcancer, got a window sticker for my car that says that.

[theman]

Thanks everyone.

I have colon cancer. They have told me they caught it early. How I found out? I have been having ‘bathroom trouble’ and finally got to the doctor. Blood tests came back normal. Stool test, came back ‘inconclusive.’ Family Doctor recommended a colonoscopy. A couple months later I had it. I was told I had cancer immediately after the check was completed. Get tested guys. The specialist told me after that they are planning on lowering the recommended age for this check to 45. She also said they are noticing this cancer more and more with young people.

Also have had an MRI and CT scan. Thankfully the cancer hasn’t spread to my liver, kidneys or stomach or anywhere else in my body.

As for treatment, thankfully I have benefits at work and will be able to go in short term disability, so that is 1 less thing to worry about.

Edit:

Happy Thanksgiving everyone

[JelloPuddingPop]

Anyone reading this and not having annual physicals & testing(s) done I highly suggest you get on it.

Early detection, as evidenced by theman, is key.

Just want to parrot this. Great call out Donny.

Have had too many people in my life, who were either afraid of seeing the doctor, or just thinking it will not affect them... Not me they say.

Early detection, and they might still be around.

[BCExpat]

Anyone reading this and not having annual physicals & testing(s) done I highly suggest you get on it.

Early detection, as evidenced by theman, is key.

Just want to parrot this. Great call out Donny.

Have had too many people in my life, who were either afraid of seeing the doctor, or just thinking it will not affect them... Not me they say.

Early detection, and they might still be around.

Early detection is definitely a part of it, but even more important is to take care of yourself. Regular exercise, healthy diet, limited alcohol consumption, etc., are critical as you get older.

[Madcombinepilot]

Early detection is definitely a part of it, but even more important is to take care of yourself.

True.

Regular exercise,

Pass.

healthy diet,

Pass.

limited alcohol consumption,

Pass.

[BCExpat]

Early detection is definitely a part of it, but even more important is to take care of yourself.

True.

Regular exercise,

Pass.

healthy diet,

Pass.

limited alcohol consumption,

Pass.

Well, my dad passed on regular exercise, healthy diet and limited alcohol consumption, and he still lived to 98 years old, so there is that....

[Tciso]

My grampa started smoking at age 7, and lived to 100. He stirred herbicide with his left arm. Luck is a factor for everything.

Anyways, I have Diverticulitis, so I get scoped too. Last test came back all good, and as an added benefit, the doctor declared that I have/am a perfect a$$hole.

[Cornuck]

Well, my dad passed on regular exercise, healthy diet and limited alcohol consumption, and he still lived to 98 years old, so there is that....

Same with my Dad, except for the making it to 98 part - only missed it by 42 years!

[donlever]

There are always anomalies but the annual check ups noted and the lifestyle items Expat refers to can (and very likely will) buy you time at the back end.

Generally speaking the human animal doesn't seem to concerned with that until they hit the back end.

You will wish you had days then more often than not.

I've seen it with my own eyes.

Strong men crumbling at deaths door step wishing they had more time.

[BCExpat]

My grampa started smoking at age 7, and lived to 100. He stirred herbicide with his left arm. Luck is a factor for everything.

Anyways, I have Diverticulitis, so I get scoped too. Last test came back all good, and as an added benefit, the doctor declared that I have/am a perfect a$$hole.

I have ulcerative colitis, so I get scoped also. My next scheduled scoping is when I get to 80 years old. By then, I don't care about it that much anymore, so I may just skip it. I might change my mind if and when I do reach 80

[Per]

As some of you have noticed, long-time poster Strangelove hasn't been around for a few months.

Some of us have known for a while that Doc has been dealing with some very serious health issues since at least April. He kept us updated, but he hasn't logged on since July 26, and we haven't had any messages or emails returned.

Rats and I have been waiting and hoping to hear some news, but at this point, we have to assume that Doc is no longer with us.

Among his last messages: "I know that God still does miracles, and I know I am heaven bound." and "I almost feel bad for picturing those sweet young nurses naked."

I hope to hell that he comes back to give me shit and announces, "The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated", but sadly, I'm not holding my breath.

We are going to dedicate this season at the Corner to Doc, and will be re-naming the GDT forum in his memory.

Many of you have known Doc for decades, and it would be fun to hear some memories of his posts and comments.

I’m at a loss for words. This is awful. A huge loss.

The Doctor was an important part of this and the other CC boards.
His wit, his hockey insight, his twisted humour.

The Doc and I would tear into each other in lengthy debates, but it was all in good fun. We both enjoyed it.
When covid landed me in the hospital and took my wife he sent me a very heartfelt PM, which I appreciated.

Heading to Brussels tonight for work. I will make sure to raise a glass in his honour.

Let’s win the cup this year for Doc!