March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. This is my story. According to the American Cancer Society, symptoms of colorectal cancer include:
A change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool, that lasts for more than a few days
A feeling that you need to have a bowel movement that's not relieved by having one
Rectal bleeding with bright red blood
Blood in the stool, which might make the stool look dark brown or black
Cramping or abdominal (belly) pain
Weakness and fatigue
Unintended weight loss
Over the last fourteen months, I experienced six of the seven symptoms; weight loss is the lone symptom I did not experience. I classify myself as a stereotypical single, stupid, and stubborn male. I ignored my symptoms for nearly a full calendar year! Only after speaking to a primary care physician due to lingering COVID-19 effects did I speak up about my colorectal cancer symptoms. In January of 2021, I noticed bright red blood in my stool for the first time. I had no other symptoms at that time. I was aware there could be many causes, some minor and some major. The occurrence of blood in my stool was rare, but over time the frequency increaAs time passed, other symptoms began to appear. I began to notice a change in my bowel habits. As another school year ended, I dismissed an increase in weakness and fatigue as usual end of year stress. Though my symptoms were increasing, I was able to maintain my normal schedule and activities. I served as a counselor for a week at a summer camp and spent several weeks exploring the Rocky Mountains while on vacation. As 2021 came to a close, I began to experience the remaining symptoms and all symptoms had a greater frequency and intensity. There was a significant amount of blood in each bowel movement. There was bright red blood on toilet paper. There was no consistency or regularity with my bowel movements and after bowel movements I still felt as though I needed to have another. There was an increase in discomfort and pain in my abdomen. All the while, I grew increasingly weak and fatigued. I knew I needed to seek medical assistance, but still I remained stupid and stubborn. I was scared to face the reality before me. Nor did I want to deal with the hassle of health care and insurance. I began to research primary care physicians as I knew I would need assistance beyond that of an urgent care facility when I finally mustered up the courage to seek assistance. Throughout most of December of 2021, I had significant mental struggles on a daily basis as I faced the internal conflict of knowing I needed to seek assistance, but still not having the courage to do so. I simply could not convince myself to pick up the phone and call a doctor. I came close to convincing myself to tell one of my coworkers to force me to call a doctor. I knew if I could verbalize my need my coworkers would hold me accountable and ensure I got the medical assistance I so greatly needed. Again, I simply could not convince myself to do so. On December 23rd of 2021, I tested positive for COVID-19. Upon returning to work, following the winter break, I began to experience lingering effects that led me to a conversation with our school nurse. If there was any possibility that I was going to need extended care to manage lingering COVID-19 effects, I knew a primary care physician would meet my needs more effectively than a typical visit to an urgent care facility. I left work the morning of January 5th and suddenly I found myself in contact with the long-awaited primary care physician I had been avoiding for so long. We discussed my lingering COVID-19 effects and then, for the first time, almost a year after experiencing my first symptom, I spoke about my colorectal cancer symptoms - though not in those terms. My life was about to change and it was about to change quickly. I was referred to a colorectal specialist and had my first appointment on January 13th. After an examination, a colonoscopy was scheduled for the following week. On January 19th, I had a colonoscopy and was informed that I had colorectal cancer and I would need surgery to remove a portion of my colon that included the cancerous tumor. My surgery was scheduled for February 10th. On that date, I had a sigmoid colectomy and approximately six inches of my colon which included a 4.3 cm tumor that was obstructing 75% of the passageway of my colon at that location was removed. I spent three nights receiving wonderful care at the Sarah Cannon Cancer Hospital at Medical City Plano before going home to continue my recovery. On March 8th, I had an initial appointment with my oncologist. I am incredibly fortunate that though I delayed seeking medical assistance for nearly a year, a CT scan did not indicate any significant cause for concern. Pathology results on lymph nodes removed and tested came back clear; my margins were clear - it does not appear the cancer has spread. My colorectal cancer was classified as Stage 1. I have an appoint in the coming weeks scheduled for genetic counseling to determine if there are any genetic predispositions my siblings and I need to be aware of going forward. I will have another CT scan for monitoring purposes in the coming months. After following up on those results, I will follow up with my oncologist again in September. My incisions from my surgery are healing well. Pain related to my surgery is rare. I experience occasional abdominal discomfort as I continue to heal and recover. I am working on increasing my endurance. I am restricted to lifting no more than twenty pounds through April 24th. I have been released to return to work on March 14th and will do so for the first time since February 8th. 151,030 estimated new cases of colorectal cancer in 2022. I am 1.
Comments