Patients, survivors, friends and family say it best. The following testimonials were submitted by people whose lives have been touched by colon cancer. These stories are from real people’s actual experiences.
June 04, 2010
My introduction to cancer came as it does for all of us, like a bolt out of the blue, on May 23, 2008. At the age of 63, I finally decided it was time to have the dreaded colonoscopy (my internist had never pressured me to have one). After all, no one on either side of my family had ever had any form of cancer, so I figured I would die of something else – heart probably, since there was a history of heart problems on my mother’s side of the family.
The colonoscopy showed a mass in the sigmoid colon which the doctor believed to be malignant. A month later, I was in surgery to remove a tumor the size of a large plum, both ovaries, and 36 lymph nodes. The tumor, the ovaries, and 19 of the nodes showed malignancy. I had stage 4 colon cancer. It was not curable.
It was decided by the tumor board that it would be best for me to have intensive daily radiation first for five and a half weeks, with concurrent weak chemotherapy. To be followed by the strongest chemotherapy possible in double doses for 12 sessions. The chemo had to be done in the hospital for three days at a time. Then I would go home for 11 days, and begin all over. So, three weeks after surgery, I had my portacath inserted, and two days later, I began radiation & chemo.
Other than making me tired and giving me diarrhea, the radiation went without a hitch for the first four weeks or so. Then the burns appeared and my entire buttocks was on fire! To complicate matters further, I subaceous cyst on my buttocks became infected with staph from the hospital and I ended up in the ER one Friday evening having a large boil lanced by my surgeon! Nothing seemed to help the burns, even after radiation was over and chemotherapy had begun. I was seen by the wound care team, by radiology to no avail. Then one of the dieticians came by and brought me a powdered drink called Juven (tasted rather like Tang) and said that if I drank it daily as directed, the burns would clear up within two weeks – they did!
Now I could concentrate on the side effects of chemotherapy. I just took each day as it came, and didn’t look forward or back. Friends (I live alone with no family in my town) and prayers kept me going, and I attended church at least every other Sunday. I experienced constant diarrhea, extreme fatigue, mouth and tongue sores, extremely painful swallowing of anything colder than room temperature (my water pitcher was marked “no ice”), hand/foot neuropathy (cold all the time, swollen, painful, and numb), and tearing eyes. I was staying on the main floor of my home in the guest room which I had re-named the Healing Room because I didn’t have the strength to climb the stairs to my bedroom. I didn’t allow negative thoughts or people in that room. One entire wall is still covered with cards and prayer lists, and that’s what I looked at when I laid on the bed. I made a point of getting up and doing something – even just going on the internet to put a journal entry on Caring Bridge (a fantastic free site for those who are critically ill or for their families). Just type my name as one word (carrichapman) as the person you want to visit when you go to the site, and you can read about my journey from June or July 2008 on. When I could I went out (usually after a week at home). I did not allow “pity parties” of more than five minutes. I was never angry that I had cancer, only angry that I had to be my own advocate much of the time and getting information sometimes seemed like pulling teeth. I’m of the generation where you didn’t question doctors or nurses, but I had to do so, and it wasn’t easy!
By the end of the sixth treatment, I had lost 40 pounds and looked as though I was at death’s door, which I was. I had gotten to the point where I gagged every time I had to take a pill. I was coming to the end of my rope.Some dear friends intervened and insisted I get a consult with our local university hospital’s cancer center colon specialist. I did and, as a result, I stopped the chemotherapy which was killing me at that point, and I never looked back. I have been a patient at the cancer center ever since, but I still credit my original radiation oncologist and medical oncologist for keeping me alive. Had they not been as aggressive as they were, I probably wouldn’t be here to write this.
The side effects of the treatment are not pretty. I have so much scar tissue in the pelvic area that nothing works right. I have to wear Depends all of the time now. My doctors and I are presently exploring the possibility of surgery by several specialties at once to remove scar tissue and repair the damage done to the extent that they are able. Still my life is wonderful!! I will have my two year anniversary of being virtually cancer-free on June 20th, and every day is a blessing and a miracle to me. I now have the nickname “Smiley” because I smile so much – why not? If I can brighten someone’s day, I brighten mine too!!
Cancer is the best thing that has ever happened to me. It has brought me much closer to my God and Jesus Christ, and I believe I am now a much more compassionate and giving person. I am happier than I have ever been. I have the opportunity to live out my “bucket list”. I don’t wait to do something I want to do anymore. I find a way to do it! This disease will not bow me down! I will go out, by the Grace of God, sliding on my backside & yelling whoopee! Who could ask for a better life? Not me!
The colonoscopy showed a mass in the sigmoid colon which the doctor believed to be malignant. A month later, I was in surgery to remove a tumor the size of a large plum, both ovaries, and 36 lymph nodes. The tumor, the ovaries, and 19 of the nodes showed malignancy. I had stage 4 colon cancer. It was not curable.
It was decided by the tumor board that it would be best for me to have intensive daily radiation first for five and a half weeks, with concurrent weak chemotherapy. To be followed by the strongest chemotherapy possible in double doses for 12 sessions. The chemo had to be done in the hospital for three days at a time. Then I would go home for 11 days, and begin all over. So, three weeks after surgery, I had my portacath inserted, and two days later, I began radiation & chemo.
Other than making me tired and giving me diarrhea, the radiation went without a hitch for the first four weeks or so. Then the burns appeared and my entire buttocks was on fire! To complicate matters further, I subaceous cyst on my buttocks became infected with staph from the hospital and I ended up in the ER one Friday evening having a large boil lanced by my surgeon! Nothing seemed to help the burns, even after radiation was over and chemotherapy had begun. I was seen by the wound care team, by radiology to no avail. Then one of the dieticians came by and brought me a powdered drink called Juven (tasted rather like Tang) and said that if I drank it daily as directed, the burns would clear up within two weeks – they did!
Now I could concentrate on the side effects of chemotherapy. I just took each day as it came, and didn’t look forward or back. Friends (I live alone with no family in my town) and prayers kept me going, and I attended church at least every other Sunday. I experienced constant diarrhea, extreme fatigue, mouth and tongue sores, extremely painful swallowing of anything colder than room temperature (my water pitcher was marked “no ice”), hand/foot neuropathy (cold all the time, swollen, painful, and numb), and tearing eyes. I was staying on the main floor of my home in the guest room which I had re-named the Healing Room because I didn’t have the strength to climb the stairs to my bedroom. I didn’t allow negative thoughts or people in that room. One entire wall is still covered with cards and prayer lists, and that’s what I looked at when I laid on the bed. I made a point of getting up and doing something – even just going on the internet to put a journal entry on Caring Bridge (a fantastic free site for those who are critically ill or for their families). Just type my name as one word (carrichapman) as the person you want to visit when you go to the site, and you can read about my journey from June or July 2008 on. When I could I went out (usually after a week at home). I did not allow “pity parties” of more than five minutes. I was never angry that I had cancer, only angry that I had to be my own advocate much of the time and getting information sometimes seemed like pulling teeth. I’m of the generation where you didn’t question doctors or nurses, but I had to do so, and it wasn’t easy!
By the end of the sixth treatment, I had lost 40 pounds and looked as though I was at death’s door, which I was. I had gotten to the point where I gagged every time I had to take a pill. I was coming to the end of my rope.Some dear friends intervened and insisted I get a consult with our local university hospital’s cancer center colon specialist. I did and, as a result, I stopped the chemotherapy which was killing me at that point, and I never looked back. I have been a patient at the cancer center ever since, but I still credit my original radiation oncologist and medical oncologist for keeping me alive. Had they not been as aggressive as they were, I probably wouldn’t be here to write this.
The side effects of the treatment are not pretty. I have so much scar tissue in the pelvic area that nothing works right. I have to wear Depends all of the time now. My doctors and I are presently exploring the possibility of surgery by several specialties at once to remove scar tissue and repair the damage done to the extent that they are able. Still my life is wonderful!! I will have my two year anniversary of being virtually cancer-free on June 20th, and every day is a blessing and a miracle to me. I now have the nickname “Smiley” because I smile so much – why not? If I can brighten someone’s day, I brighten mine too!!
Cancer is the best thing that has ever happened to me. It has brought me much closer to my God and Jesus Christ, and I believe I am now a much more compassionate and giving person. I am happier than I have ever been. I have the opportunity to live out my “bucket list”. I don’t wait to do something I want to do anymore. I find a way to do it! This disease will not bow me down! I will go out, by the Grace of God, sliding on my backside & yelling whoopee! Who could ask for a better life? Not me!
May 27, 2010
On the day before my 45th birthday, I sat in my primary doctor's office. I was there because I felt there was something wrong. I'd been experiencing almost constant diarrhea for more than six months and knew the symptoms of colon cancer.
I went for blood tests, stool and bowel tests, bowel x-rays and finally, after some discussion, given the authorization to see a gastroenterologist. A month passed before my scheduled appointment. We scheduled my colonoscopy for two weeks away on September 5, 2007.
I was the youngest person getting the procedure done and the only person who had a bad report. The doctor came in to tell us that he'd found a tumor and that I needed surgery ASAP. We left and called our family doctor for the name of a surgeon.
A week later I went in for what I thought would be a consultation with the surgeon, so I went alone. He walked in and wanted to know why I was there. I asked if he had received the report from my colonoscopy and he said yes. He wanted to know if I understood why I was there. I said yes, the doctor found a tumor and I needed surgery to remove it. The surgeon said yes, but you have an aggressive form of cancer and it's probably spread to your lymph nodes, your liver and your other major organs so you don't have long to live, and that I'd better get my affairs in order. I told him I've lived a full and happy life, have no regrets and have even gotten to meet my first grandchild. Then I asked him when we could schedule my surgery. I left his office and went to a restaurant where my son was the manager. I sat at a table and waited for him. While I waited, I called everyone I knew except for my husband who I wanted to see face to face.
A week later I had surgery to remove 12 inches of my colon and 17 lymph nodes. All of the nodes were cancer free but the surgeon found a mass on my pancreas and felt it would be too risky to remove it at that time. I was given the diagnosis of Stage III cancer of the right ascending colon.
In late October I was sent to The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pittsburgh, PA for an endoscopic biopsy of the mass on the pancreas. The results indicated colon cancer which had probably spread through the vein running through the bowel. I was then sent to Dr. A. James Moser at UPMC who is the pancreatic cancer specialist even though it wasn’t pancreatic cancer. After meeting with him, we decided I would do chemotherapy to shrink the cancer on the pancreas and then a second surgery. That surgery is called The Whipple Procedure and is incredibly difficult. It would be anywhere from six to 14 hours in length and could even result in me dying on the operating table. Still, it was my best option for survival so we took it.
Because my options were considered limited, I was accepted into a clinical trial for Xeloda pills at 3000mg per day for 14 days. By day 12 I couldn’t remember whether I had eaten or had anything to drink, and was sleeping 24 hours a day. I started throwing up and could no longer stand. My legs burned and cramped. My husband drove me to the emergency room where I was admitted.
It turns out that without food and water in the stomach, Xeloda became toxic and destroyed the inner lining of my stomach and gut. The doctors told my husband that I probably wouldn’t leave the hospital. I threw up constantly and also had diarrhea. They didn’t know what was wrong. Finally, someone from the Arnold Palmer Cancer Center in Greensburg, PA, saw my name on the hospital list and recognized it because I had scheduled an appointment to meet with their doctors. I was in a dream like state the entire time I was in the hospital. I hallucinated and the nurses even found me walking the halls once. Finally, I got better and was released. No one realized how very close I came to dying except for my husband. The next day my parents took me to see Dr. Viverette at the Arnold Palmer Cancer Center. I lost 10 pounds during the time in the hospital. No food or liquids by mouth for 11 days.
Because I was still so sick, I didn’t start chemo (Folfox regimen) until the middle of January. It would be one week on and one week off. I did 10 rounds of chemo and by the end of May had lost 30 pounds.
During this time I had been going in for PET scans which showed that the cancer was shrinking. Dr. Moser scheduled my surgery for July 25, 2008; a few days after my 46th birthday. I remember going into the pre-op area and my husband accompanying me. I even remember the anesthesiologist putting in two needles in my back but I don’t remember anything until I woke up five days later! Seems I stopped breathing in the recovery room after the surgery. If the nurse hadn’t come back in to check on me I would have died. They rushed me to ICU where I was put on a ventilator. My husband says I was in a coma but I don’t know.
After I woke up and was breathing on my own, Dr. Moser came in to my room and told me that I got what I wished for. I asked what that was. He said God had given me a miracle because when he did the surgery he didn’t find any cancer anywhere. He saw where cancer had been because it looked like a burnt-off charcoal substance. He cleaned everything and sewed me back up.
In the past year I’ve had three PET scans and blood work done. CEA results have all been well under the normal range; 0.3 – 0.7 with nothing higher. The July 2009 PET scan showed lymph node activity in the chest and abdominal cavity. I told my oncologist that I would humor him by going back on chemo but I wasn’t about to tell God that he didn’t do a miracle on me. So I started back on chemo and three months later had another PET scan which was clear. March 2010’s PET scan was also clear. God is good and I believe I have been healed.
My parents have both had polyps removed during routine colonoscopies. Because of my cancer diagnosis, my younger sister has underwent colonoscopy procedures and had precancerous polyps removed. Her doctors suggested she undergo a hemicolectomy because she had a very aggressive type of precancerous polyps in her appendix and colon and, since most hereditary colon cancer is on the right side, they did do it to avoid any further issues there. She went through the surgery in February. My younger brother has not gotten a colonoscopy yet. We’re working on him.
My mother’s youngest sister died of colon cancer in 1983, at age 29. Even though we have a family history of colon cancer, the genetic tests on my tumor cells showed I had three out of four of the markers for Lynch Syndrome. Also, from what Johns Hopkins University Hospital doctors have told us, even though I don't have the mutated genes that they currently check for, it doesn’t mean that we do not have a hereditary syndrome; many times a gene is not found since they currently only check for four. We may have something that they have not found yet. Even so, I will insist that my sons start having routine colonoscopies at the age of 35 which is 10 years before my age when I was diagnosed. At the end of July I will turn 48.
I went for blood tests, stool and bowel tests, bowel x-rays and finally, after some discussion, given the authorization to see a gastroenterologist. A month passed before my scheduled appointment. We scheduled my colonoscopy for two weeks away on September 5, 2007.
I was the youngest person getting the procedure done and the only person who had a bad report. The doctor came in to tell us that he'd found a tumor and that I needed surgery ASAP. We left and called our family doctor for the name of a surgeon.
A week later I went in for what I thought would be a consultation with the surgeon, so I went alone. He walked in and wanted to know why I was there. I asked if he had received the report from my colonoscopy and he said yes. He wanted to know if I understood why I was there. I said yes, the doctor found a tumor and I needed surgery to remove it. The surgeon said yes, but you have an aggressive form of cancer and it's probably spread to your lymph nodes, your liver and your other major organs so you don't have long to live, and that I'd better get my affairs in order. I told him I've lived a full and happy life, have no regrets and have even gotten to meet my first grandchild. Then I asked him when we could schedule my surgery. I left his office and went to a restaurant where my son was the manager. I sat at a table and waited for him. While I waited, I called everyone I knew except for my husband who I wanted to see face to face.
A week later I had surgery to remove 12 inches of my colon and 17 lymph nodes. All of the nodes were cancer free but the surgeon found a mass on my pancreas and felt it would be too risky to remove it at that time. I was given the diagnosis of Stage III cancer of the right ascending colon.
In late October I was sent to The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pittsburgh, PA for an endoscopic biopsy of the mass on the pancreas. The results indicated colon cancer which had probably spread through the vein running through the bowel. I was then sent to Dr. A. James Moser at UPMC who is the pancreatic cancer specialist even though it wasn’t pancreatic cancer. After meeting with him, we decided I would do chemotherapy to shrink the cancer on the pancreas and then a second surgery. That surgery is called The Whipple Procedure and is incredibly difficult. It would be anywhere from six to 14 hours in length and could even result in me dying on the operating table. Still, it was my best option for survival so we took it.
Because my options were considered limited, I was accepted into a clinical trial for Xeloda pills at 3000mg per day for 14 days. By day 12 I couldn’t remember whether I had eaten or had anything to drink, and was sleeping 24 hours a day. I started throwing up and could no longer stand. My legs burned and cramped. My husband drove me to the emergency room where I was admitted.
It turns out that without food and water in the stomach, Xeloda became toxic and destroyed the inner lining of my stomach and gut. The doctors told my husband that I probably wouldn’t leave the hospital. I threw up constantly and also had diarrhea. They didn’t know what was wrong. Finally, someone from the Arnold Palmer Cancer Center in Greensburg, PA, saw my name on the hospital list and recognized it because I had scheduled an appointment to meet with their doctors. I was in a dream like state the entire time I was in the hospital. I hallucinated and the nurses even found me walking the halls once. Finally, I got better and was released. No one realized how very close I came to dying except for my husband. The next day my parents took me to see Dr. Viverette at the Arnold Palmer Cancer Center. I lost 10 pounds during the time in the hospital. No food or liquids by mouth for 11 days.
Because I was still so sick, I didn’t start chemo (Folfox regimen) until the middle of January. It would be one week on and one week off. I did 10 rounds of chemo and by the end of May had lost 30 pounds.
During this time I had been going in for PET scans which showed that the cancer was shrinking. Dr. Moser scheduled my surgery for July 25, 2008; a few days after my 46th birthday. I remember going into the pre-op area and my husband accompanying me. I even remember the anesthesiologist putting in two needles in my back but I don’t remember anything until I woke up five days later! Seems I stopped breathing in the recovery room after the surgery. If the nurse hadn’t come back in to check on me I would have died. They rushed me to ICU where I was put on a ventilator. My husband says I was in a coma but I don’t know.
After I woke up and was breathing on my own, Dr. Moser came in to my room and told me that I got what I wished for. I asked what that was. He said God had given me a miracle because when he did the surgery he didn’t find any cancer anywhere. He saw where cancer had been because it looked like a burnt-off charcoal substance. He cleaned everything and sewed me back up.
In the past year I’ve had three PET scans and blood work done. CEA results have all been well under the normal range; 0.3 – 0.7 with nothing higher. The July 2009 PET scan showed lymph node activity in the chest and abdominal cavity. I told my oncologist that I would humor him by going back on chemo but I wasn’t about to tell God that he didn’t do a miracle on me. So I started back on chemo and three months later had another PET scan which was clear. March 2010’s PET scan was also clear. God is good and I believe I have been healed.
My parents have both had polyps removed during routine colonoscopies. Because of my cancer diagnosis, my younger sister has underwent colonoscopy procedures and had precancerous polyps removed. Her doctors suggested she undergo a hemicolectomy because she had a very aggressive type of precancerous polyps in her appendix and colon and, since most hereditary colon cancer is on the right side, they did do it to avoid any further issues there. She went through the surgery in February. My younger brother has not gotten a colonoscopy yet. We’re working on him.
My mother’s youngest sister died of colon cancer in 1983, at age 29. Even though we have a family history of colon cancer, the genetic tests on my tumor cells showed I had three out of four of the markers for Lynch Syndrome. Also, from what Johns Hopkins University Hospital doctors have told us, even though I don't have the mutated genes that they currently check for, it doesn’t mean that we do not have a hereditary syndrome; many times a gene is not found since they currently only check for four. We may have something that they have not found yet. Even so, I will insist that my sons start having routine colonoscopies at the age of 35 which is 10 years before my age when I was diagnosed. At the end of July I will turn 48.
May 27, 2010
I was 42 years old, with 3 small children. I had been bleeding, but my clinic said it was probably no big deal so I didn't even go in. I tried probiotics, I tried eliminating certain foods from my diet. I knew something was wrong, and I finally went in and got a colonoscopy.
January 31, 2008: I was diagnosed with colon cancer. I had a tumor in my rectum, and they were pretty sure that my lymph nodes were affected. That made me a Stage III. Everything I was hearing was shocking. The diagnosis, the cure, everything!
I had a port surgically implanted in my chest. I was measured for radiation. A few days later I was given my first of 28 daily radiation treatments, and a chemo pump that was to be my constant companion for 6 weeks. I was sick, I was scared, I was confused, and I was mad. But most of all, I was hopeful. I was pretty sure I’d survive this.
Thank heavens for my community of friends who took care of my family. They drove me to all of my appointments, arranged playdates for my kids, brought us food...
8 weeks after finishing radiation, I had a bowel resection. My tumor was removed, which meant my rectum was removed. Because of radiation damage, the surgeon re-routed my intestines so that my ileum peeked out of my abdomen--an ileostomy. It took a while to get used to, but my stoma and I grew to be friends. I even dressed up as a semi-colon for a costume party!
I had adjuvent chemo for 6 months, with the accompanying neuropathy, which was pretty darned horrible. After the 6 months, the neuropathy slowly tapered off.
After a year and a half, I decided to have my ostomy reversed. I had mixed feelings, but I decided to try it. An unexpected blockage kept me in the hospital for a month! My recovery has been trying, and I would consider a permanent colostomy, but I am not ready to have surgery again for a long, long time!
What kept me going?
Knowing that after this, i could help others going through it, and I could help prevent it.
My community of on-line friends with colon cancer and ostomies.
My community of real-life friends who took such wonderful care of us.
My family's support. It was always "our" cancer, not "your" cancer.
My sense of humor. When the emergency room staff put up a poster about my port because nobody had seen one like it before, well, it was pretty funny! When my friend tried to get me personalized M&M's that said "cancer sucks" but M&M's wouldn't let the word "sucks" be printed on their candy, it was pretty funny.
You have a choice--you can be scared and mad, or you can be positive. No matter how much time you have left, there is room for positive in there, and it makes your time better.
My friendly greeting to others is now, "up yours." I encourage everyone to get a colonoscopy for early detection. Up yours!!!
January 31, 2008: I was diagnosed with colon cancer. I had a tumor in my rectum, and they were pretty sure that my lymph nodes were affected. That made me a Stage III. Everything I was hearing was shocking. The diagnosis, the cure, everything!
I had a port surgically implanted in my chest. I was measured for radiation. A few days later I was given my first of 28 daily radiation treatments, and a chemo pump that was to be my constant companion for 6 weeks. I was sick, I was scared, I was confused, and I was mad. But most of all, I was hopeful. I was pretty sure I’d survive this.
Thank heavens for my community of friends who took care of my family. They drove me to all of my appointments, arranged playdates for my kids, brought us food...
8 weeks after finishing radiation, I had a bowel resection. My tumor was removed, which meant my rectum was removed. Because of radiation damage, the surgeon re-routed my intestines so that my ileum peeked out of my abdomen--an ileostomy. It took a while to get used to, but my stoma and I grew to be friends. I even dressed up as a semi-colon for a costume party!
I had adjuvent chemo for 6 months, with the accompanying neuropathy, which was pretty darned horrible. After the 6 months, the neuropathy slowly tapered off.
After a year and a half, I decided to have my ostomy reversed. I had mixed feelings, but I decided to try it. An unexpected blockage kept me in the hospital for a month! My recovery has been trying, and I would consider a permanent colostomy, but I am not ready to have surgery again for a long, long time!
What kept me going?
Knowing that after this, i could help others going through it, and I could help prevent it.
My community of on-line friends with colon cancer and ostomies.
My community of real-life friends who took such wonderful care of us.
My family's support. It was always "our" cancer, not "your" cancer.
My sense of humor. When the emergency room staff put up a poster about my port because nobody had seen one like it before, well, it was pretty funny! When my friend tried to get me personalized M&M's that said "cancer sucks" but M&M's wouldn't let the word "sucks" be printed on their candy, it was pretty funny.
You have a choice--you can be scared and mad, or you can be positive. No matter how much time you have left, there is room for positive in there, and it makes your time better.
My friendly greeting to others is now, "up yours." I encourage everyone to get a colonoscopy for early detection. Up yours!!!
April 17, 2010
I was diagnosed with stage 2 colorectal cancer in Jan. 2007. With my doctor wanting a full colostomy I went to MD Anderson for a second opinion. While there the cancer metastasized to my lung putting me at stage 4 cancer. With a round of radiation and two full rounds of chemotherapy and 4 surgeries, I have been cancer free since oct. 2007. All of this what from what i thought was a hemorroid. Since being diagnosed my 3 brothers have taken colonoscopies and the results where one with no polyps at all and the other two with several polyps with one being precancerous. Colonsocopies can save your life. It is an easy procedure with the worst part being the prep the night before.
March 27, 2010
Iwas diginoised with Colon Cancer April 0f 2000. I will be celebrating my Ten Year mark next April. I wish the best of luck to other people in this world that they can beat this cancer just like i did. I have a daughter that will be thirteen tommorrow and it is a blessing to be here to celebrate that. It is not only important to me but also to her. When I was diginosed with Colon Cancer I wasn't even 30 yet. I was two month's from it. I was still 29. And my baby girl was either 2 or 3 when it happened. I was at home with her one night and it was just us two. I was living with my mom at the time. She was out of town so I had to call my grandma in tear's due to the fact that i had a sharo pain in my right side. She hurried and got that along with my Aunt. My Aunt took my daugher and me and grandma drove to the hospital to find out that I had colon cancer had that is why I was having that pain in my side. God is so funny. He really does work in wonderful and amazing way's. Whe n I found out I did nothing but cry because I was so scared. I could only pray for him please not to take me but that if it was my time that I understand. we never know when God is going to call our number. I had thesurgery and I am still here to tell my story. So remember alway's pray and he will listen tto you.like he did me. God is wonderful. I will be Happy to stand up infront of other's and tell my story. And my doctor told me that mine was stage three. Sinceraly, Meliss Somersett
March 23, 2010
In August of 2007, due to the advanced stages my then 58 year old brother was experiencing from colo-rectal cancer, I underwent a colonoscopy. The testingf revealed more than 25 polyps of which at least 5 were showing signs of stage one cancer. One cancerous lesion was found 3/4 of the way into my colon. I went home after the procedure and later that day returned to Maury Regional Hospital due to an extremely high fever. At this point I as in denial about any cancer being found in my colon. My wife and I were terrified of what could happen next. The chief of surgery came in and talked with me about all of my options. First, we could do nothing and ultimately succumb to the cancer. Second, (and the best option) was to undergo a radical colectomy and remove the cancer entirely thus saving my life. I have a lot to live for. we have 13 grandchildren (at the time). There is a new grandbaby coming around the end of April or middle of May. My wife and I love each other deeply and that is enough for me to want to live for. Unfortunately, my brother passed awy on the 19th of December 2007 form advanced colo-rectal cancer. It had spread to his liver, kidneys and pancreas. I believe that my brother saved my life when he asked me to have my first colonoscopy and I will have them at least once a year until I pass from this life.
March 21, 2010
July of 2009 i went for my first colonoscopy and endoscopy procedure; the results were only a few polyps in the colon which were taken care of during the procedure but the endoscopy did show a tumor of 4 cms. The dr advised me to have surgery asap before the tumor turned to cancer. I had surgery a month later, and caught it on time. Shortly after my surgery my sister and myself noticed that my mother had not been feeeling well, and in discussing her health realized that she had never had never been screened as her drs had advised her. So in December as her health got worse I took her for her first colonoscopy and endoscopy the results were not good, she was diagnose with colon cancer and had to have immediate surgery due to the tumor in her colon being so large. The outcome of the surgery was not good the cancer had spread into her stomach/lungs/liver etc. They were not able to get all the tumor out and had to end up with a stoma. She is at Stage 4 cancer and is not able to take chemo yet because she is so weak from not eating since before surgery and now.
This is WHY early screening is VERY IMPORTANT.
Don't be afraid of the test - PREVENTION IS THE ANSWER.
Please keep my mother in your prayers.
This is WHY early screening is VERY IMPORTANT.
Don't be afraid of the test - PREVENTION IS THE ANSWER.
Please keep my mother in your prayers.
March 17, 2010
It was March of 2008 I went in for a scheduled colonoscopy, which my doctor had been advising since I turned 50 and I kept putting off. It was his persistence that got me into the test. I was in stage 2 colon cancer. At that moment my whole world became a whirlwind. I was diagnosed that day, went into the hospital that night and had surgery on the next day. I really didnot have the opportunity to think very long on what was happening. All test at that time showed that the cancer was not spreading and was in the location of only the tumor. It would be a clean cut with that section of the colon removed. I would still need to take chemo as a precaution. The one thing that I got from this experience is the importance of getting the screenings done in a timely fashion. In the 80s I had a screening done for a totally different problem and a polyp was removed but I was not told to get screened again in 10 years or less I may have been able to prevent this from happening. I urge all by family and friends to get the screening done. God blessed me with the opportunity to take a second chance and to change behaviors and attitude. I completed chemo in November of 2008 and it will be two years at the end of this month that I had surgery. I have a new outlook on life and want to share with others the importance in listening to your doctor and getting the test required of you. I have a suportive family and friends and with their help have been able to continue this journey with hope and love.
March 16, 2010
my story is my Mom died in 2000 with cancer so I thought you know this was our cancer we will all be okay even though I lost my very best friend i thought I would not be in the percentage for it to affect me with any other family member. In 2005 my husband had an heartattack he had to have 5 bypasses he came through that like a charm and doing great then the last day of 2007 he was riding his motorcycle and a lady ran stopped sign then stopped dead still in the middle of the road broke his back,he made it through it fine. In may 2008 he had acolonoscopy they foound a huge polyp they told him it was cancer it hit him like nothing else he was devastated we did surgery had it removed and did no therapy or treatments so I am GLAD he had the test or it could have been worse but he will tell you out of all the things he has been throught the worst was when Dr.Stagg said he had CANCER
The people who submitted these testimonials may not be representative of the entire population. The statements made here reflect the opinions of the speaker and are not endorsed by Stop Colon Cancer Now. Please see your health care provider if you have questions about your individual colon cancer prevention or treatment.
August 17, 2010