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Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
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Jan 19, 2009 - 11:05pm PT
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I've had a cancerous growth up my bum hole for 8 years and they are finally removing it tomorrow.
It's an operation sadistically named "In-Auger-ation"
Hope it works or I'm hosed bad and plenty of us have suffered the same problem.
On another front, hope all of you with health problems get the best possible outcomes.
I have a client whose a Gastro-Doc and we've talked about the ins and outs of scoping a lot. He's Canadian and has mixed things to say about the Canadian System. Personally, I'm envious cause I'm almost 50, have basic insurance, and couldn't begin to afford the procedure here.
Of course, I consider that a mixed blessing as well.
Peace
Karl
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Captain...or Skully
Social climber
North of the Owyhees
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Jan 19, 2009 - 11:14pm PT
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Over 50 is borrowed time.
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Rick A
climber
Boulder, Colorado
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 19, 2009 - 11:51pm PT
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Captain,
It’s all borrowed time.
Tony,
Thanks, but all is seemingly well. The surgery was almost exactly a year ago. I felt more or less back to normal about 6 weeks after.I get a followup colonoscopy in a couple of weeks. If that is ok, I will get one every five years or so and consider myself lucky to do so.
Karl-Best of luck on your operation . We’re all hoping for success and a speedy recovery for you.
Todd- To paraphrase Abe’s father up thread: piece of cake, except for the part where they put the plumber’s snake up your ### .
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dogtown
climber
Cheyenne,Wyoming
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Jan 20, 2009 - 12:02am PT
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I have an appointment February 10 for one.
Rick is right do not put it off! Not fun, but it can save your life.
Bruce
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Jaybro
Social climber
wuz real!
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Jan 20, 2009 - 12:34am PT
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Oh I think many of us will be doing better in the short term, by and by. Or, after that massprocedure @ 8:30 tomorrow am western.
Though it really is my time for this particular pain beyond the arse,as mentioned by the OP. I'm 52.5 yrs old, back on full medical and have a best friend with a statistical bent, who will be sure to remind me, as he has in the past...
"It's the biggest killer of guys our age, and it's 100% preventible."
I've taken him to task for a number of things over the years, but I'm just going to have to bend over for this one...
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dogtown
climber
Cheyenne,Wyoming
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Jan 20, 2009 - 12:40am PT
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LOL Jay, good one.
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east side underground
Trad climber
Hilton crk,ca
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Jan 20, 2009 - 11:10am PT
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I'm in, 48 yrs old got to "get er done"!!!
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Gene
Social climber
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Jul 30, 2010 - 10:32am PT
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Had mine done yesterday. The worst part of the procedure, other than the infamous "prep," was getting the IV set. I remember chatting with the doctor a few minutes and then waking up post-procedure.
The key to a successful prep is a good book and at least two rolls of soft TP.
The "hole" thing ain't that bad. Do it! I procrASStinated to almost age 58. Don't put it off like I did. If my polyp biopsy results come back clean, I'll feel I have dodged a bullet that I caused by waiting so long to get the colonoscopy done.
Gene
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Todd Gordon
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal
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Jul 30, 2010 - 10:38am PT
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I had one last year;....if inserted properly, the camera can be enjoyable.
Peek a boo.....(what a job;..sticking cameras up people's backdoor pipe)...
(Polyps, french fries, and a coke, please....)...
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nature
climber
Tucson, AZ
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Jul 30, 2010 - 11:00am PT
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and a little prevention in the way of colonics isn't a bad idea either....
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jbaker
Trad climber
Redwood City, CA
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Jul 30, 2010 - 12:17pm PT
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I had mine done yesterday, as well. They found four polyps. I'm waiting to hear the results.
Considering how much time we all spend outside, it's also worth getting checked for skin cancer. I had a funky mole that I knew I should get checked out, and kept putting it off. Then a friend was diagnosed with malignant melanoma. He didn't have insurance, and by the time he got treated it was too late. I got mine checked, and it was also malignant. Luckily, they were able to get it all. If I'd waited much longer, it would have been bad news.
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delendaest
Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
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Jul 30, 2010 - 12:57pm PT
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there are a lot of things in medicine that are of dubious worth, but colonoscopies (and pap smears for the ladies) save lives, no question.
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Bldrjac
Ice climber
Boulder
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Jul 30, 2010 - 03:21pm PT
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Rick,
you'll be glad to know I'm getting mine done in three weeks......WHEE! I can hardly wait.
Looking forward to this with about as much anticipation as doing the Bacher-Yerian.
Need to do it but want it to be over with..............
JACK
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Brokedownclimber
Trad climber
Douglas, WY
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Jul 30, 2010 - 06:23pm PT
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delendaest;
Don't forget mammograms for the Ladies and PSA tests for the Laddies. Definitely need a PSA every year over 50. In addition to the traditional "finger wave."
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Fritz
Trad climber
Hagerman, ID
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Jul 30, 2010 - 11:57pm PT
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OK! Two years ago" I went shopping for best local price on a colonoscopy.
I wrote this article for a local newpaper.
Shopping Endoscopy/Gastroenterology Clinics.
As many people discover, one of the joys of aging is having your physician strongly recommend really expensive medical tests.
This last summer I finally gave up and decided to submit to a Colonoscopy. This simple, but expensive, outpatient procedure explores your colon looking for signs of colon cancer.
Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, accounting for about 20 percent of all cancer deaths. This year alone, more than 131,000 Americans will be diagnosed with colon cancer, and 56,000 will die from it.
Colon cancer is also one of the most curable types of cancer, if it is diagnosed early. When detected at its earliest stages, chances for a cure are as high as 90 percent. There are several excellent screening and diagnostic methods to detect colon cancer early.
The key to successful colon cancer treatment is finding the cancer at an early stage, before it has spread to surrounding tissues and organs. Most colon cancers develop from polyps, small growths found inside the intestine. Keep in mind, though, that most polyps are not cancerous.
The goal of screening for colon cancer is twofold: to detect early-stage cancerous tumors; and to detect and remove benign polyps, which may develop into colon cancer.
Colonoscopy: This procedure offers the best chance to detect and prevent colon cancer, according to leading research studies. A Colonoscopy is similar to a flexible sigmoidoscopy, except the instrument is longer because your doctor will be viewing your entire colon. You will be given a mild sedative to make you comfortable. Attachments on the end of the tube enable your doctor to remove a small tissue sample if one is needed for a biopsy.
I had been referred to the only Endoscopy clinic in Twin Falls,ID that performs Colonoscopies. Since I am self-employed and pay for my own insurance, which is a high deductible PPO (preferred provider organization) Blue Cross policy, I always like to know how much a medical procedure is going to cost me.
When I showed up for my pre-procedure screening in Twin Falls, I was immediately told that my Blue Cross PPO insurance would not lower the cost of my Colonoscopy. I knew with my high-deductible policy, I would have to out-of-pocket the whole price for the procedure. I then asked how much my Colonoscopy would cost and was informed that I could not have that information until after my pre-procedure exam.
So, I had the exam, which was only a few minutes long and mainly covered my medical history (cost $143.00). I then got to talk to the money person at the clinic about the cost of my Colonoscopy. It was explained that cost was very difficult to quote, since it would depend entirely on what the physician found during the Colonoscopy. When I persisted in asking for a quote, I was told that price for the basic Colonoscopy would be $2,200.00.
After I recovered from the shock, I canceled the appointment for the Colonoscopy and called my insurance company, Blue Cross. I asked them what they reimbursed physicians for a Colonoscopy procedure and was told that information was confidential. All they could do was give me a list of physicians in Idaho that did charge their “PPO-Preferred Provider Organization” rates.
I did some internet research and discovered others have found that it can be rather difficult to get quotes for medical procedures from physician offices.
However one columnist for the Colorado Springs Business Journal had persisted and found a Endoscopy center that allowed him to pay about $1,000.00 cash up-front for a Colonoscopy. On-line articles about Colonoscopy costs quoted figures as low as $500.00 and as high as $1,500.00.
Somewhat encouraged, I started calling Boise Endoscopy centers. My best experience was with Idaho Endoscopy Center. They would charge Blue Cross PPO prices (whatever those were?). Better yet their financial manager actually called back and negotiated with me. I would have to pay $1,000.00 cash in advance, and would be billed any additional charges.
The pre-appointment screening could be done over the phone, thus saving an extra trip to Boise. My physician was contacted and gave me a referral.
Total time in the clinic was about two hours. I was given a mild sedative and found the procedure painless. The clinic did insist I have another adult along to drive me home. My colon was clean as a whistle, so the cost for the procedure was the minimum amount. If the physician has to remove polyps the price can increase substantially.
Total cost after Blue Cross PPO adjustments was $1,359.14.
I’m glad I went shopping.
By the way: if you have read this far! The U.S. medical and insurance system is "a real piece of work."
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stevep
Boulder climber
Salt Lake, UT
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Jul 31, 2010 - 02:13am PT
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To add my voice to this one...I was in roughly the same boat as Rick A. Maybe a little further along, Stage II for for me. Had surgery and 5 months of preventative chemo. That was last year. I was 40. So far so good. Pretty high likelihood I'm over and done with it.
Wouldn't have caught it except for some bad diarrhea that wouldn't go away. After several rounds of various antibiotics didn't do anything, I was convinced to get a colonoscopy. Malignancy found, 5 days later I was in surgery getting part of me cut out.
So even for those of you under 50, if you've got a family history, or weird bowel stuff going on, get it done. My insurer, United Health, now covers them as preventative medicine and pays in full with no deductible or copay.
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Mighty Hiker
climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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Jul 31, 2010 - 02:48am PT
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There was a note about this in the NYT the other day, about the percentage of Americans who get screening colonoscopies, and who.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/27/health/research/27screening.html?scp=1&sq=colorectal&st=cse
Fritz' experience was interesting. In BC, the way it works right now is that if you are in a higher-risk group, you get sent for a screening colonscopy every ten years. Higher-risk = heredity, personal medical history, etc. If you're in the 'average' group, then if you want one, you have to pay for it yourself. I had one a few years ago, and it cost about $1,000. My MD said it was a good idea, said I wasn't in a higher-risk group, and off I went. It's not a 'real' surgical procedure, so was at the doctor's office/clinic, as with many relatively minor things.
The debate here now is whether MSP (our single-payer system) should cover screening colonoscopies for everyone every ten years from age 50. The economic studies indicate it would be an effective investment, so it seems likely it will happen.
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Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
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Jul 31, 2010 - 02:52am PT
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Nice contribution Fritz
I think it's criminal that the medical establishment won't quote prices, especially when prices are high. You can bet they buy nothing for themselves without knowing the price in advance.
And with medical expenses being the prime driver of a majority of bankruptcies, reform is badly needed.
Getting up the backside is bad enough without getting up the backside when the bill comes
Peace
Karl
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delendaest
Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
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Jul 31, 2010 - 11:23am PT
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the utility of PSA testing is very much debatable and a reflection of the fact that the vast majority of prostate cancers are very slowly growing and unlikely to cause death. in the largest trials to date its been shown that a huge number of patients need to be treated (with resulting incontinence, impotence, etc) in order to extend the life of one person.
from the new england journal of medicine, summarizing the largest trial to date: "This means that 1410 men would need to be screened and 48 additional cases of prostate cancer would need to be treated to prevent one death from prostate cancer....PSA-based screening reduced the rate of death from prostate cancer by 20% but was associated with a high risk of overdiagnosis."
the data on mammograms is also mixed, with recommendations moving back the recommended age to start screening. this is also a reflection of the fact that mammograms were picking up too many benign lesions resulting in unnecessary surgeries.
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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Jul 31, 2010 - 11:31am PT
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People who want a colonoscopy and vacation package might consider Chile. Medical care in Santiago is the best in Latin America. Procedures in Chile cost a fraction of what they are in the US. The savings in a colonoscopy would more than cover your plane costs to this beautiful country.
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