Precancer polyp in appendix

Hi @bonnieb81, I'm relieved to hear that you are in the care of a physician in whom you have confidence. It sounds like you now have a treatment plan and can move forward. I know @sundance6 @hopeful33250 @lah @wisco50 and others who were following your journey will also be interested in your update:
- Unresolved Colon/Appendix Issues and Spinal Epidural Lipomatosis (SEL) https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/my-catscan-2019-concerning-of-mass-malignancy-in-colon-unresolved/

@jellen619 @mouse1 have had cancer of the appendix and may have experience and support to offer.

Bonnie, when is your surgery scheduled?

Hello @bonnie81
I am so glad to get your post and know that you have a treatment plan in place and of course that you have a doctor who understands what is going on. You have been working on this diagnosis and treatment plan for a long time. While I've never had cancer of the appendix, I have had a rare form of cancer, carcinoid cancer (also known as neuroendocrine tumors) NETs.

As Colleen (@collenyoung) asked, I'm wondering if you have a surgery date scheduled? Do you have someone to care for your husband during your hospitalization and recovery?

Wishing you well!

Hi @bonnie81,
First of all, I want to wish you the best. I know this can all be very difficult to grasp and absorb. I too am a member of this rare club, pre-cancerous polyp in the appendix. At first, I had so many questions… I even canceled my operation at one point. Finally, I got to a point where I had to leave it in God's hands. The surgeons did not force me to do anything. It was all left up to me. It comes down to this, One option is to do nothing. The other option is to try and have the issue fixed. After all my research, I prayed for days and nights and finally came to the conclusion to try and have the issue fixed, before it got worse. I am at peace with my decision and continue to pray for a full and quick recovery (which has been happening).
In my case, on August 31, 2020. I had a right hemicolectomy, which means they removed half of my large intestine, some of my small intestine and all connecting blood vessels and lymph nodes on my right side. I know this sounds major (and it is) considering it was for a polyp, but it was done to assure all possible signs of possible cancer were removed and to have better blood circulation to remaining area. Also to avoid the need for more surgeries if cancer was present. Long story short, it turned out there was no cancer (Thank God). Recovery took 4 months and I am now finally feeling myself. I did have some complications (leak and infection = 10 days in hospital). I still feel some tightness in my abdomen but no pain to speak of. Scares healed well and fairly fast. Digestion is almost back to normal but I do feel full faster when eating meals and things like soda (due to gas) can be uncomfortable to consume.
Feel free to read my entries on these pages and please reach out to me if you have any questions.
Sending some prayers your way for a quick and full recovery. Take care.

I’m still waiting for surgery on removing one (possibly 2) sessile serrated polyps in my appendeceal orifice, though one maybe in colon not appendix? I’ve had mixed messages. I had an appt for surgery on Feb. 17,2021, but had to cancel due to our ARTIC freeze in TX. So now rescheduling for May. Unfortunately though I trust the new surgeon, the hospital he practices in and does surgery, for has been involved in less than good care for my very ill husband, also combined their practice with the same one my original surgeon (that dropped me due to age and high risk!) they are now combined! I wanted to go to Mayo Clinic but they would not take me unless confirmed Colon cancer!! So now my husband 91 declining rapidly, me his Caregiver of 7 yrs , solely! I’m so unsettled, fecal incontinance, pain.... knowing I could go thru the appendeceal orifice surgery orthoscoptically, but Surgeon says ‘if’ cancer cells he would have to go for 2nd surgery of resection, a much more serious risky surgery with most probably complications. How I wish I could get into Mayo Jacksonville, Florida. (Near my family) where I could recuperate, and continue care for my husband which we would continue our move there! Any help from moderators or readers I would appreciate. Mayo turned me down 3X.. saying they were booked! Thank you one and all.. for suggestions

Oh hi there! I’m back on Mayo connect I’m sorry I didn’t reply sooner ( I posted update today) so glad you wrote regarding your surgery! I am in such a quandary still. My new surgeon I trust but his clinic merged with the oncology clinic in Dallas! Now they only do surgery at the very hospital that treated my husband and dismissed him with very lacking treatment and very dismissive. The former Dr. That was so dismissive of my precancer appendeceal polyps now in same clinic!!! Oh my word! Husband declining, with a change or addition of ills w/dementia, hallucinating... now on oxygen! My stress is out of sight.. worrying. The new surgeon is kind, but didn’t have full report and didn’t know I gave 2 polyps precancer sessile not just one!! So I’m still going forward with just removal of polyps and he said ‘if’ cancer cells will do full resection.. afterward. I’ve heard such scary stories similar to your issues. I’ll stay in touch. Good luck and bless you for writing your story! I sincerely hope you are better now! 💕

@bonnieb81 You certainly have a lot to think about and plan for: upcoming surgery (with potential bigger surgery), caring for your husband who’s health is declining, a hospital you don’t really like, and wishing you could go to Mayo instead.
Have you looked into respite care for your husband? You might need help for 2-3 months. Or maybe a live-in caregiver who could help both of you. And Meals on Wheels—they could handle meals for both of you. Check with the Agency on Aging in your town or the social workers at the hospital.
Can’t go to Mayo. How about MD Anderson? Or a large medical center or university hospital?
I would suggest that you get 3 small notebooks; 1 for each problem you want to solve. Write down all the info, names, phone #’s, questions, and details so you can find it quickly. I’ve done that to keep track of my doctors, appointments and what they’ve told me. Makes my life a little easier!
Can you maybe start with getting some notebooks and picking 1 problem to start brainstorming with. Get back with us for any questions!

Thank you, I’ve started so many day timers... plus notebooks... assorted file folders. But I think my problem is my fighting spirit... but I know legal solutions cost $$$$$ and more. I’ve really reached my limit. I want to go forward with the appendeceal (appendectomy) though surgeon said I had option of going through with resection first, more radical of course. I wasn’t pleased with going that route! I didn’t even like that offer!!! It lessened my trust in this 3rd Dr. I had considered all you mentioned even MD Anderson, but for now, just getting ‘out’ is a trial. I’ve had sitters for husband but $20 per hr. ... just too many burdens.. now that I’ve had this 2 yr. communication with Practice mgr. Texas Oncology to no avail (my own orig. surgery for 8-10 yrs dropping me saying “BONNIE we all will go there someday” !!! I suppose he’s speaking of Heaven.... now his very Tx. Oncology merged with my new surgeons practice being Texas Colon Rectal!! I’m totally dismayed! I know this is just TMI,too much info! I’m really losing a lot of sleep! Now in more pain. But thank you for your message. I just wish I could get into Mayo (Jacksonville)

Hello @bonnieb81
I am sorry to hear that you are still struggling with the problem of who and where to get surgery. I know that your symptoms are hard to live with and you need treatment.

I think that Becky's (@becsbuddy) suggestion of taking one problem at a time is a good one. You are dealing with so many problems right now (both for yourself and your husband) that is hard to separate them. Why don't you think of starting with the problem of finding a doctor you can trust for your needed sugery.

Is it too difficult for you to get to the MD Anderson Cancer Center now? I'm not sure how far it is for you, but that might be a good place to start. Could you ask a friend to go with you if the drive is a difficult one? Also, do you have a university medical school nearby?

As you take one aspect of the total problem it might be easier to work the details one at a time.

Will you post again?

@bonnieb81 Im not here to tell you what to do or not do. I’m here to give you support and a shoulder to lean on. Take care, so your best, and remember that Connect and the members are here for you. Becky

Hi, thank you for responding. I had surgery of removal of precancer serrated sessile polyp of appendix on July 14, 2021. I have follow up colonoscopy in one yr. I’m still not convinced of the final summary of surgery. It was not stated exactly as a sessile serrated polyp (removal) but a benign tissue mass above appendix ( but no cancer cells found) GREAT… however tge orig. Colorectal surgeon stated there were 2-sessille serrated polyps! And one Radiology report saying a “mass in colon concerning malignancy” (neither mass or 2ndoolyp addressed!) so many factors left me still wondering! At my age, and history if that type polyps for 12-13 yrs! And slow growing into cancer frequently.. it still stresses me! The iriginal surgeon and the one finally doing surgery are with same division of Oncology! They merged before my surgery.. !
May be needless worrying but I had one surgeon (3 total) that said ge found No polyps only a history of!!! Thanks for your input. Greatly appreciated.