birthdays and virtual birthday cards

You're right, of course, Elegran. Your post puts it all into perspective.

I didn't bin my kit, Elegran _ I binned the used spatulas. I think that's what jeni and Anagram meant, too?

My husband reported bleeding to his gp, who said it was just piles!
My husband believed him rather than my pleadings to check with his transplant surgeon. When he eventually followed my advice it was inoperable!

We are lucky that there is a test which detects early signs of bowel cancer. Maybe it also detects other causes of internal bleeding, but lets not nitpick - it does save lives.

I binned the used spatulas too, wrapped in toilet tissue - not sure what they expected you to do with them - putting them down the loo seemed a bad idea, giving a focus for "stuff" to get caught on going down the pipes .......

No! I binned the kit! I do not want to know! I am on my own and do not want any further surgery or investigations. I am 67 and I will enjoy what life I have left. I don't want to live for ever and with my arthritis, I would hate to live for too long!
If this makes me sound sad, I'm not. It is just how I want to live and die!

I binned the whole kit, too.

Picked you up wrong, sorry, Anagram and jeni. My husband won't do his test either, and I've tried to persuade him. I don't know if it's the thought of how it's done, or if he feels like jeni, but it's his choice, and I can do no more to persuade him.

Wouldn't do if we were all the same!

jeni, I sent off the first kit I received - with satisfactory results - but ignored the second which came sooner than I thought necessary. I, too, want to avoid the surgeon's knife and anyway, have, I believe, pretty healthy bowels!

Happy Birthday Nightowl

Well said Elegran you have put everything into perspective. I wholly agree with Anagram.
I cannot believe that intelligent Gransnetters would not do the test. Its only scraping a bit of poo onto stick and then depositing it in the little square. I have had 2 or 3 now and thankgoodness they have all been fine. Its really no different than having a mammogram, and a lot less painfull and doing it in the privacy of your own toilet. A good friend of ours did the test, and cancer was discovered, he had a major op, and now 10 months later is living life to the full, it has saved his life thank goodness!
Love to you Elegran, and I hope that you continue to spread the word for BC tests. Perhaps this will do some good and help to prevent the incidence of bowel cancer.

Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes, I have had a lovely day and gorged on chocolate cake made by my thoughtful daughter. I find it quite funny the way we have gone from birthdays to poo tests but I suppose it's my own fault for showing such an interest in the test on another thread, I can't remember what that was about now, oh yes the joys of growing older! You will be pleased to know Elegran I will do the test; my dad died of bowel cancer 30 years ago so I may be at increased risk and I would not want to go through what he did. But I do understand that we all have to make our own decision about whether to do it or not.

Glad you had a nice day

Happy Birthday nightowl

Happy Birthday Nightowl I hope you've enjoyed it to the full!

gma - I wholeheartedly agree. (And Elegran and Anagram). Prevention is better than cure. I have done several tests, and see it as no more nor less than having my teeth seen to by the hygenist. In fact I prefer it!!
Bowel Cancer is one disease that can be detected early, treated, and with good long term prospects.

Yes, it's tiresome and not altogether nice, but in the grand scheme of things, easily done. Binning it seems to me to be rather silly. Why?

ahem....any birthdays tomorrow

Not sure anyone would dare admit it nellie. I wonder where the next birthday thread will take us

I am probably the least likely to go to the doctors but I received my bowel cancer kit when I was 55 and I did my test.

The next birthday is probably mine (Friday) I wonder what fascinating subjects we will be discussing?

My DH was trained as a plumber and he said at the end of the day its only chewed bread, you wont find a squeamish plumber I will do my test when it comes as my Dad has bowl cancer, so I am told!

Happy Birthday for Tuesday nelliedeane
Greetings for your Birthday on Friday Elegran and
I won't be here for a week so enjoy yourselves.

Is it your birthday tomorrow nellie? Happy birthday to you and to you Elegran for Friday, the same day as my DD to you too (more to follow) x