rider

Dear all recovering and active alcoholics,

I went and had a colonoscopy done yesterday. My doctor had wanted me to do this when I was 45. I waited five years.

They found several polyps, and one that they didn't like the looks of. I don't have the results of the lab work yet.

It is believed that drinking alcohol and smoking contribute greatly to colon cancer... my dad died of it a few years ago and he was an alcoholic who smoked.

So, anyone who used to drink to excess and those who are still drinking to excess should have this procedure done. It could save your life as this type of cancer is treatable if caught early enough. And it could be the wake-up call to quit drinking for those who might think their health is invincible.

I know I won't pick up a drink again. My cigarette quit date is March 17.
I really hope all is okay with me, because this is scarey. I have always been so healthy. Maybe that is why I abused my body for so long.

Linda

splendra

I know that cancer is a very scary thing to comtemplate. My dad died from cancer and he drank and smoked. I know that he did not believe the treatment he got was going to cure him and it didn't. I think the treatment is what killed him. I wish I knew then what I know now about cancer cause I think I could have helped him so much.

There is some very complelling evidence that eating right is one of the best defences against cancer. One of the reasons this is not bought front and center is because lots of money is being made treating cancer plain and simple. One of the best things for healing the digestive tract is sauerkraut and cabbage juice. Oh I know it sounds almost too simple for words....I challenge you to go to a good deli or health food store and buy some saurekraut and eat it everyday for a month and drink the juice too and get a second opinon if your results come back positive for cancer. Do a google search on the benefits of saurekraut. The most expencive kraut there is could not come anywhere near the cost of cancer treatment,surgery, and lost work and it is worth looking into...

BSPGirl

Oh best of luck, rider!

rider

thanks you two...

splendra I happen to LOVE SAURKRAUT. Actually cabbage in any form.

I've always eaten well, fruits, veggies, oatmeal, bran, no junk food. It could just be a genetic predisposition, but I'm sure smoking and drinking didn't help matters...

Sugasnaps

I'll be holding really good thoughts for you rider... I hope everything comes back okay. **{hugs}}

Suga

laurie6781

Hey Rider, good thoughts going your way. My last colonoscopy they removed 6 polyps and all were what they call "pre cancerous". So I get one every year now.

Yes I have been told by my doctors that it is more common in alcoholics. I also have Barretts Esophogus another result of alcoholic drinking. Alcohol did so much damage to my gastronic system that the GERD got so bad it scarred my esophogus halfway up. Barretts Esophogus is also a pre-cancerous condition, so I have both the endoscopy and the colonoscopy done each year. Caught early enough there is usually a pretty good chance of recovery.

By the way former Texas Governor Anne Richards has just been diagnosed with Esophogiacal Cancer. She has publically admitted for a long time that she is a recoverying alcoholic and I would not be surprised if that is not a result of her drinking also.

Now to the BRIGHT SIDE. As it is only polyps in all likelihood you are fine. Keep good thoughts and I hope the lab your Doctor uses is much quicker than mine was (3 weeks).

You will be fine. I'm sure though that your doctor will suggest these tests be done more often now. Not only because you are in recovery but because you have reached 50.

Stay in today and have a GREAT day.

Love and (((((to all)))),

ASH

Hi Rider,
Thanks for the good advice.
Hope you get good news from your Dr soon.
In the meantime sending positive thoughts your way

rider

Thanks, everyone, for all the hugs and good thoughts. Everyone on SR is so kind.

I hope the results don't take forever, or I'll never get any sleep. Didn't hardly sleep a wink last night.

And Laurie I am so glad that you are okay so far, you have far more on your plate than I do.

laurie6781

Well rider maybe I do but I have learned to give it to The Great Spirit and believe me my stress is minimal.

Now as to not getting any sleep. Here's what I figured out for me.....I can worry and fret and fret and worry and the results are going to come in eventually. Or, I can take all the pleasure I can from today, give it to my HP and the results are still going to come in eventually. I decided I liked it with less stress, so I let my HP worry about stuff like that. Makes my days a LOT MORE FUN.

Take some real deep slow breaths and then go do something FUN. Heck the results are going to be the same whether you worry or not, so why put all that additional stress on your body? Your choice. lol

Love and hugs,

michski

My first hubby died of colon cancer... the really sad thing is because he was such a heavy drinker he went undiagnosed because he was used to feeling bad, having "rumbly sometimes uncontrollable guts" and sore legs. By the time he went to the doctor it had spread throughout his stomach and bladder. I honestly believe he only died because he was protecting his booze habit and was sure all of his complaints were due only to his excessive drinking. I have read that smoked aged whiskeys (scotch, heavy bourbons and Jack Daniels) are the major culprits... they are also responsible for a lot of esophogal cancers.

Wishing you all the best and happiness for your new life free of harmful addictions

Chy

Saying prayers for good results!

rider

Thanks again all of you.

I'm supposed to have results later today. I will let everyone know.

I read that if you drink and smoke your chances of getting this type of cancer increases by 450%.

best
rider

Just Jake

I was just diagnosed with a shrunken esophagus. Is that the same as barrets? I have another apointment monday to go over my results and get meds for it.

Jake

laurie6781

Jake it could be, as Barretts, is scarring of the esophagus, scar tissue build up. Ask your doctor when you go.

Will probably change your eating habits somewhat, lol but its all for the good.

Have a fun, safe, sober weekend.

Love and (((((to all))))),

Just Jake

I'm on day 7 of bieng sober. They told me on the phone that they had to stretch my throat when they put the camera in. I also had the colonoscopy because of internal bleeding. Turns out it's internal hemmeroids.

This thread has given me a lot of help for what I am going thru also.

Jake

NEEDTOBESOBER

GOOD LUCK, RIDER-I am 41 and I was referred to a specialist to get a colonoscopy cause I had been having problems with constipation, well I went and they wanted to do a different procedure to see if i have acid reflux, but i didnt do it cause it cost too much, but they also had me do a stool sample- i never heard anything back-so what you are going thru is scaring me so I am gonna call that doctor and see what he says about those results-I think he thought I should just eat more fiber-he told me to eat more veggies, fruit and take metamucil. So I am also gonna ask him if i should get a colonoscopy. Colon problems run in my family, in fact my grandmother had colon cancer which they got rid of , but then it moved to her liver, she died a few yrs back at the age of 92, but she never drank or smoked and my dad when he was about fifty something had a colonoscopy and had small polyps that had to be removed, he is now 66 and doing well both my parents have colonoscopies on a regular basis, also my dad drank when he was younger up to about hislate 50's, but neither my mom or dad smoked. I understand how you could be worried-I am praying for you! I am an alcoholic and this is the start of my 6th day without alcohol-feeling depressed but hoping it will get easier, again good luck to you!