Colonoscopy today...

[Guest]

Mark,
Sorry about the news. Today marks 1 year since I had surgery for cancer of the prostate, so the memory is fresh in my mind. I'm working every day and feeling fine, so you can too - it is not a death sentence.

One this site we have documented too many tragedies where warfarin was improperly stopped for colonoscopies that turned out negative. It has turned some people away from wanting them. However, Mark's experience illustrates the correct way. His warfarin was held for a reasonable length of time and he was bridged with Lovenox. Now we have the unfortunate situation of finding cancer. What Mark needs, and we all need, is to see this thing through to the point where he continues to be a Tri-athlete. That will prove that there is a correct way to handle these things.

PS: I wouldn't worry much about taking a double dose for 3 more days. You already know that your INR is low. It may go too high but that usually has less consequences than staying too low.

 

[catwoman]

Mark:

Sounds like the cancer was caught very early on. You should have an excellent prognosis.
Early detection through colonoscopy is the key to surviving cancer.
My mother underwent colon cancer surgery in 1977 at age 50. No chemo required, no recurrence other than occasional removal of polyps. She has colonoscopies more frequently than most people. She will turn 78 on Tuesday.
Her mother underwent colon cancer surgery in, I think, 1963. Again, no chemo needed, no recurrence other than occasional removal of polyps. She died in June 2001 at 99 1/2. She had several other types of cancer -- skin and uterine (hysterectomy at age 88, I think).

Neither required a colostomy.

I will be praying that you too have the same outcome as my mother and grandmother.