Possible Colon Cancer Needing Answer

[KimberlyPerry]

I had a bowel obstruction August 2022. Open emergency abdominal surgery placed on ventilator with second surgery 4 days after first. Total of 17 days in CCICU.

Fast forward February 2023. Had blood in stool, losing hair, anemic ,vitamin D deficiency and other labs out of wack

Have been trying to get referral to see Gl. Haven't been able to get appointment untiI end of August.

Symptoms are ongoing with constipation, diarrhea, little dark pieces stool, feeling like i need to always go, feel full of poop and have the feeling my intestines are coming out my anus

I feel like I should see Gl now. What should I do? Anxious 63 year old female

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator]

Hi KimberlyPerry,

Thank you for posting on Colon Cancer Connected. I hate that you’re having to deal with this. Question, when you had a bowel obstruction in August 2022, was there a colonoscopy performed or a CT scan? And six months after your bowel obstruction surgery is when the blood in the stool, losing hair, anemic, vitamin D deficiency all went out of whack. So, you have been trying to get a GI doctor appointment for about 5 months.

With all these symptoms, I would agree that the GI doctor needs to be seen. You need to get some good answers so you can focus on what needs to be done and get on the path to being well.

At the hospital where you had the bowel obstruction surgery, do they have what is called a “patient navigator?” Also, is there a local cancer hospital / cancer clinic that may have a “patient navigator” as well? These are the people that may have some insight and connections that can make things happen quicker for you. Perhaps you’re GP would be able to assist in scheduling this? Or, maybe your GP would know someone who might be able to help you.

Another question, is there a history of certain Issues that are hereditary? That would be good information to know or find out as well. This info could help you in getting an appointment. You said that your current appointment is two months out. I would keep calling and asking if there have been any cancelations that you might be able to take advantage of.

I can relate to what you are experiencing in trying to get these appointments. When I was a part of a clinical trial, any appointment I needed would be pushed to the front of the line. I even had one nurse say that I must know somebody because I got right in to their schedule the next day for an endoscopy. Now that I have been off the clinical trial for about seven years, I am kind of shocked as how long a lead time you need to get a colonoscopy. I am seeing windows of two to three months out for scheduling. I have to get an annual colonoscopy and an annual ct scan as a part of my surveillance. The CT scan schedule happens rather quickly as I do that at the Cancer Hospital where I did the clinical trial. However, I do the colonoscopy closer to my house and have to deal with the rather excessively long appointment schedules. If I had to get a colonoscopy quickly, I would probably contact the cancer hospital where I did the clinical trial and they would be able to make it happen for me rather quickly.

I do wish you the best and hope that you can get that GI doctor appointment moved up. Maybe you can try some of the things that I mentioned and I hope they may be beneficial for you. Also, please keep us up to speed on how your situation is being handled. Not only from what you have to do to get an appointment just to see the GI doctor, but also what procedures are ordered and what you find out from them. Is that type of information that can be helpful to others on this site as well.

Thank you,

~Tom, GCCA Survivor - Colon Cancer Connected Site Administrator.

Just a reminder - this group is here to offer support, share experiences, and offer our thoughts - but this is not medical advice, and you should always consult your medical professional(s). Additionally, for all emergencies, seek urgent medical care, never delay.

[KimberlyPerry in reply to GCCA-Survivor]

Thank you for the information. I went by the surgeon office today. Reception was so rude. Told her Im not asking for an appointment I just wanted to know if he looked for cancer or if he did a colonoscopy. I really don't think she'll ask him.

I did find out a CAT scan was done with diagnosis of bowel obstruction, enlarged gallbladder, descended colon, free air in abdomen, cyst on kidney, diverticulitis, ischemic colitis, constipation with a note recommended to have colonoscopy.

Everything needs to go thru my GP for referrals

So I'm still at square one.

Thank you again.

Any suggestions of my next move