Arieane asks:
Lately, when I use the bathroom, there is sometimes blood -- bright red blood in it. I know that means it's fresh blood. I went to the ER, and they said my white blood cells looked good after they did some lab work. I'm just wondering does that mean its NOT cancer? I hope so. I'm scared, I have a doctor's appointment coming up and I'm supposed to be having a colostomy. What else could they be looking for? Please respond. Thanks.
Dear Arieane,
First of all, you did the right thing by seeking out a real live medical doctor for advice. So many bright young lives have been snuffed out simply because they made the mistake of asking Poonurse for help...
Seriously: white blood cells "looking good" is kind of meaningless in this context. Did they mean the numbers looked good, or are your white cells kind of cute and pretty?
In all truthfulness, Arieane, MOST times in a normal, previously-healthy young person, rectal bleeding is most often due to a hemorrhoid (not always visible on the outside), a fissure (a small split in the anus, again not always visible to you) or other benign process. However, cancer cannot be ruled out except by going in there via a COLONOSCOPY (you said you were having a colostomy, which means diverting the colon to the outside of your body into a bag to collect fecal material -- a pretty drastic cure for rectal bleeding, if you ask me).
Good luck Arieane, and try not to worry. You get cool drugs during a colonoscopy -- I know, I have had three. So at least that part is fun. Let me know how it all goes. I am really, truly sending all the good wishes of PoopReport to you.
Please be advised that I am only a Poonurse. I am NOT a medical doctor. Any advice I give should be taken moderate skepticism. Please consult a REAL medical doctor if you feel you have a serious medical condition.
-- Poonurse
Poonurse is an RN with 25 years experience in labor and delivery. Her qualifications include seeing a lot of poop, and owning a computer. Also, she works in Michigan, which she calls the asshole of the universe, so that's another bit of credibility.
Got a question for her?