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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 8/22/2006 10:25 AM (GMT -6)
I come here with a saddened heart. Over the months of March to May, my father-in-law had been having some issues, to which most of his Dr.s were diagnosing as probably IBS related issues.

So after three months of the same results he scheduled a CT Scan for Thursday June 15th. However, on June 13th he had 'bloated' so bad, and was in enough pain that even his stubborn self decided to go the ER. After hours in the ER, stupid Dallas Mavericks game, he was admitted and finally given a CT Scan at 2 am. The scan revealed an excess build up of fluid in his abdoman, and on the 14th, after the Dr.s examined the scans some more, it was determined that he did not have IBS, but rather a tumor.

After some screwing around by the hospital, he was finally put under the knife the following monday for exploritory surgery. The surgery went very well, and a biospy was done. It was determined that he had Non-Hodgkin's Burkitt's-Like Lymphoma, Stage 4.

On Saturday August 19th, he lost his battle with cancer, to both the amazement of his family, and the overseeing medical staff. He had made great strides, and was soon to start his second phase of treatment.

As we mourn the loss of our dear family member, I ask that everyone out there that feels they are getting blown off by their doctor, to take it upon themselves to get a second opinion. If a single Dr. had taken a slight more interest and not jump to the conclusion of IBS, we would have been able to catch the cancer before it had reached stage 4, and he would have had a much better chance. I do not want to see any other member of this community go through what this family has gone through, simlpy because of a 'trend diagnoses', as IBS has become these days.
Posted 8/22/2006 10:37 AM (GMT -6)
I'm so sorry for your family's loss. Your story definitely underscores the need for everyone to be thoroughly checked out before anyone, including the doctor, diagnoses IBS. I'm just lucky that my aunt's gyno didn't tell her she had IBS; they decided to actually do some scans on here and found out that she had ovarian cancer. Thankfully they got her ovary out before it had spread and she didn't need any treatments or anything. Getting tested is the key.
Posted 8/22/2006 12:20 PM (GMT -6)
I am so sorry for your loss. (((mrmagoo)))
Thank you for sharing such a valuable story.
Posted 8/22/2006 7:14 PM (GMT -6)
Hi MrMagoo- I too am sorry to hear of your loss.  My friend's father-in-law died the same way.  He had symptoms of IBS for about a year (I'm surprised they let it go that long w/no testing- the MD's.)- diahrrea, severe stomach pain.  Finally after almost one year of this, they give him a cat scan and low and behold, it's cancer, in advances stages at this point.  He died not long after that.  It was sad and I wish your family wasn't going through this.  But thank you for sharing and reminding us all to advocate for ourselves.  I wholeheartedly agree with you.  Good luck and my God bless you and your loved ones during this difficult time.

Posted 8/22/2006 11:26 PM (GMT -6)
I am sorry for your loss. This is more common than you would think. My friend died of ovarian cancer and she worked for a Dr. but he missed it completely. So sad that it has to get to this but we have got to really be agressive in asking for more tests and not taking their word for things. They try but they are overworked and rushed and they just don't catch everything. Neither do we in our jobs but our mistakes are not fatal. This "disease of the year" mentality is killing people.
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