Colonoscopy and great doctors saved my life and got the tumor growth -better it than me
by Jeannie Terry
(Tampa, FL)
I am a white female, 47 (I was 45 when diagnosed), and did not represent your "typical" colon cancer patient. But, after years of gastrointestinal problems from GERD to what appeared to be irritable bowel syndrome, I finally decided the flu-like symptoms I started having needed to be addressed by someone.
I went to see my general practitioner in May who scheduled me for a CT scan which revealed a "thickening in the wall of the descending colon." The gastroenterologist that performed my colonoscopy could not pass the scope through my colon past the tumor that was nearly completely obstructing my colon...every time he attempted it and touched that tumor, it would break open and bleed. That certainly explains the rectal bleeding that I was sure had been from hemorrhoids.
After consulting a surgeon that was well-known for this type of surgery, I had a colon resection in June. The oncologist suggested a six-month course of chemotherapy...Eloxatin and 5-fu...which I managed to live through, but suffered from serious neuropathy and still do about 16 months out from the last treatment.
I am healthier and feel better than I have in 10-15 years, which leads me to wonder how long had the cancer been lying dormant yet still dragging my system down.
I would encourage anyone who has issues with their bowel patterns, new or old, to have them checked out by a reputable physician. See a gastroenterologist if you feel your family doctor isn't qualified or thorough enough. Whatever you do, don't wait! My tumor was a II-A, which means the continued growth would have taken it outside my colon where it would have spread and the success of treating it would have declined sharply. As it was, I had approximately one foot of colon removed along with the twenty-odd lymph nodes that particular section drained into. All the nodes came back clean...I was extremely lucky!
Just a suggestion though...make sure to discuss with your oncologist, if you do need or decide to take chemotherapy, what the side effects might be and what can be done to avoid or treat them. Do not be afraid to ask questions and get a separate
