A COLONOSCOPY SWEEPSTAKES ?!

I have always looked forward to the month of February, with Groundhog's Day, Valentine's Day, MY BIRTHDAY, and much more. But as a colorectal cancer patient/survivor I began to notice more what month was devoted to my disease.So as February ends, I really look forward to March:
MARCH IS COLORECTAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH!!!
So today,I was sitting here watching The Morning Show on CBS and a colonoscopy commercial came on. So of course my ears perked up! It was a Colonoscopy Sweepstakes! You enter to win a FREE colonoscopy in New York! You also get to stay in a "fancy" hotel for the night before while you prep! So the only part of the room you'll get to see is the bathroom, cause you'll be in there for quite a while!LOL Oh and forget the room service...cant eat anything before or during the prep. I think they should give you a complimentary lunch somewhere nice in the city because I know I was HUNGRY afterwards! Anyway, I thought it was an awesome idea to promote colonoscopies and Colorectal Cancer month!
BUT, while looking at the "rules", there was AGE BRACKET! for 40-87 yrs old!!! YOu can probably tell how I feel about that one! GIVE ME A BREAK!, hello!,34 yrs old here, and no family history of colon cancer, wake up people! I know that there is a small percentage of people,(that's me) that get colon cancer, but why put an age on it, I certainly did not ask to get this disease!(okay, stepping off the soapbox for now) (The PSA below is not the commercial but can help led to the other one I was talking about)

Watch CBS Videos Online

My LAST port flush...

We'll today I got my port flushed for the very last time! 14 days till I get my port taken OUT! I did it, I made the appt with my surgeon. It's not a big deal taking it out as it is putting it in! No worries of my lung collapsing! Yes really! it can happen! I hope It doesn't hurt like it did putting it in! I was "sedated",yeah right, I remember the whole thing! I remember it HURTING! Not something I want to relive!
I put a poster up in the Cancer Center today announcing "DRESS IN BLUE DAY" for March 6TH! So I hope you can find something blue in your closet that day. Wear it for me please! tell them it's wear blue day,(or tell them it's coming up) and mention my story. Make them aware of colon cancer and that anyone can be affected by this disease,and how it can be prevented by getting a colonoscopy.
There is a lot of exciting stuff going on in March! watch for posts!

Colon Cancer Stats

I came across some stats while reading on the Colon Club talk. One person asked the breakdown of the age of diagnosis:
Response by:
by r_mark on Mon Feb 23, 2009 3:23 pm(colon club member)

From emedtv.com (http://colon-cancer.emedtv.com/colon-ca ... stics.html)

The median age at colon cancer diagnosis for 2000-2003 was 71 years of age. The percentages of people diagnosed with colon cancer based on age were:

0.0 percent were diagnosed under age 20
0.9 percent between 20 and 34
3.5 percent between 35 and 44
10.9 percent between 45 and 54
17.6 percent between 55 and 64
25.9 percent between 65 and 74
28.8 percent between 75 and 84
12.3 percent 85+ years of age.

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Since the fenceposts are 45 and 54, one would have to assume that if the 10% before age 50 is correct, that 5.6 percent are diagnosed between 45 and 50 and that 5.3 percent are diagnosed between 50 and 55. And I'm sure that the 0.0 percent for under age 20 should be read as < 0.1 percent, as we have people here who have been diagnosed before their 20th birthday.

34

I decided to blog my birthday on my cancer page because this day is starting to mean a lot more to me now. So I've lived another year! When you've gone through something like cancer, each year you live past it, you become more thankful. I seem to be thinking, okay,I passed my colonoscopy, so now I gotta "pass" my PET scan next, "pass" my blood tests, watch for any typical symptoms that would be questionable and live on through the next 6 months. I'm planning on getting my port taken out soon. I think it's time to let go(my port to me like a security blanket is to a child..."the just in case" mentality), and trust God(again) the plans he has for me. So as the "Smoke clears"(as you can see in the picture) I'm ready to exhale(cause I've been holding my breath for a while lol)and live life fully. YEAH Happy Birthday to ME!!!

(cough,cough!! I'm surprised the smoke alarm didn't go off! that's not good!)

HAPPY VALENTINE"S DAY:

Colonoscopy:"Clean as a Whistle"

FRIDAY THE 13th:I have wonderful news to report! My colon is in the clear! No evidence of any polyps or recurrent tumor. I do have a bit of inflammation at the anastomsis(where some titanium staples are still present). So I add another band to my collection in my journey. I will spare you all and I will NOT be posting pictures of my lovely colon. I do have pictures of it though, quite interesting I would say. So now, I can check off colonoscopy on my "cancer-free to do list". What's left? A port removal, another PET scan in April, Relay for Life, share my journey with others, volunteer @ Cancer center and I'm sure I'll be adding to the list. So I guess "Friday the 13th" wasn't bad after all. When I rescheduled, it was the only date available. I told the nurse I wasn't superstitious. I even picked locker#13 to store my clothes during my "scope". And did you know, I found out Nov. 13th(2007) that I had cancer. That may have been unlucky at the time but I see it as lucky...cause it saved my life!

SELF PORTRAIT

I also have this posted on my studiok section on my blog. I've never really done a self portrait. So when I went to enter a collaborative project by regional artist there was a project for self portraits.I took this myself with my remote trigger for my camera. This is me in a with my bands. The bands represent my journey through colorectal cancer. They are my hospital bands,blood bands and surgery bands. I decided on this praying position because I spent many days and nights praying. Praying for a miracle, strength, hope, healing, extended life, and just to get through it. I don't know why I have my face hidden. As I sit and think about it, maybe it tells not to hide your cancer, or be afraid of it, and use your cancer/journey to help others who are going through the same.