No Symptoms except low Iron, diagnosed at Stage IV
by Jeanne
(Contra Costa County, CA)
Hi. I was diagnosed with Stage IV Colorectal Cancer in 2005. I had no symptoms except low iron. I had the fecal occult test done in Jan '05 with negative results.
My primary care physician ordered a sigmoidoscopy in Feb '05. They couldn't complete it because I wasn't sufficiently 'cleaned out' for them to get good results. So my doctor decided since I was 50 I should have a colonoscopy instead. My periods weren't heavy, and there was no obvious reason for the low iron.
I managed to postpone the test a few times - either there wasn't anyone to drive me home, or I was too busy at work, or whatever. I finally had the test done in October. When I woke up the doctor came in & said he was sorry to say they found a nearly obstructing tumor in the sigmoid area of my colon. It would have to be surgically removed. I asked how long would the recovery be, and he replied 5 - 6 weeks. I'd never personally known anyone who had been diagnosed with cancer, and I had never had major surgery. I was so annoyed about the 5 - 6 week interruption in my life! I had no idea what was in store for me....
I'll continue my story in the Treatment section of this site.
Jeanne
