Survivors Archive

Survivor of the Month - February 2006

Ed
(Diagnosed on Dec. 31, 2002)

1) What were your symptoms?
The day after Thanksgiving 2002, I was hit with severe abdominal pain which I thought was something I ate the day before. After the pain went away with the less I ate, I finally went to my doctor four days later. A week after feeling the pain, I had colon resection surgery on 12/6/05. Other than feeling fatigued, I really had no symptoms.

2) What was your stage and treatment plan for your Cancer?
I was officially diagnosed on 12/31/2002 with Stage IIa(Happy New Year!!). I then started a treatment of leucavorin and 5FU. I went once a week for six weeks with two weeks off. I did this 4 times for a total of 24 treatments.

3) How was your cancer diagnosed?
During surgery a plum size tumor was removed and sent to the lab. It was obstructing the movement through my colon.

4) What is your prognosis now?
After three years it is good, no signs of relapse. My wife and family were super taking care of our two boys which were 3 and 1 at the time. I would like to thank surgeon Dr. Yavorek, Dr. Miller (family doctor), Dr. Ahktar (gastro), and Dr. Bernath(oncology) who all looked for answers.

5) What do you want people to know about Colon Cancer?

This disease doesn’t not have a boundry. It attacks the young and old, male and female, and traverses across ethnic groups. Listen to your body and get checked. It is TREATABLE AND CURABLE.

December 2005 Survivor

Holly
(Diagnosed on Sept. 20, 2003)

1) What were your symptoms?
For nearly eighteeen months, I experienced nausea, vomiting, diahhrea, constipation, fatigue and weight loss.

2) What was your stage and treatment plan for your Cancer?
September 20, 2003, I was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer with metatasis to my liver. I underwent a right hemicolectomy, liver wedge resection and ten months of chemotherapy. My specific chemotherapy treatments were called the “Saltz” and “FolFox4″ regimens.

3) How was your cancer diagnosed?
After seeking emergency medical attention and based on my admitting symptoms, a colonoscopy was performed and revealed a complete colon obstruction. I was scheduled for surgery. During surgery, it was discovered that I had a single metatasis in my liver which was resected.

4) What is your prognosis now?
To date, I am without evidence of metastatic disease. I am grateful to my family for their love, support and patience. I would like to also thank my highly skilled medical team at the Methodist Cancer Center located in Omaha, Nebraska. To Dr. Lemon, I am humbled to be able to call you both my physician and healthcare partner. To LeAnne, you have been my rock and I, too, am grateful to have you as a leader in the management of my health. Lastly, Dr.Winterstein you are a surgeon like no other and your patience will always be appreciated. Without this outstanding team, I would not be alive and their efforts are appreciated. I am not an easy patient. Often times, I am referred to as a firecracker. However, I have been fortunate enough to have found a medical team who has combined their technical expertise and compassion for the human spirit. Grateful, I will always be.

5) What do you want people to know about Colon Cancer?
Colon Cancer is an equal OPPORTUNIST. It does not discriminate and affects men, women, old and YOUNG. I implore you to be pro active about the management of your health. You are your best advocate. If you are experiencing any or a combination of listed symptoms, I encourage you to talk to your physician. Colon Cancer is PREVENTABLE, TREATABLE, and CURABLE.

September 2005 Survivor

Chris DeVasier
(Diagnosed on Sept. 17, 2003 at age 27)

1) What were your symptoms?
About a 6 wks before being diagnosed, I had experienced about 3 episodes of extreme abdominal pain. The episodes were a couple of weeks apart and would only happen at night. The pain was so severe that I would usually vomit, but I would just take some pain meds and go back to sleep. The next morning everything was fine.

2) What was your stage and treatment plan for your Cancer?
I had an episode of stomach pain and vomiting at work one night. My coworker insisted that I should go and get my company physical done. My company provides a yearly physical and is required by all associates. I was usually hardheaded about going to the doctor, but I felt this was probably the right thing to do. The doctor didn’t find anything upon first examination. I went home and got a call the following day. The nurse told me that my hemoglobin count was very low (5.5), and I need to set up an appointment immediately for a colonoscopy. While getting the colonoscopy, Dr. Heath found a tumor that he felt was probably malignant. After getting the biopsy results, the tumor was found to be cancerous. I found this out on the same day that I closed on my first home. It was quite a shocker!!

3) How was your cancer found?
The surgeons at UAMS found me to have stage 2 colon cancer. I was fortunate in the comfort that one of my very close friends was in med school at the hospital to be a surgeon. He was able to walk me through everything and explain all the complicated terms that were being thrown at me. They removed all but a foot of my colon. Afterwards, I was told to visit with an oncologist . Chemotherapy was an option for me, but I felt at my age I should do everything to keep this from reoccurring. I did chemo for about a year. The chemo was 5FU, Lucivorin, and Camptizar. It was toughest thing I have ever done, but Dr. Tsuda and her nursing staff was incredible. They put up with a lot from this fisty boy and I feel grateful for all they did for me.

4) What is your prognosis now?
I have only been done with chemo for about 9 months. I have had some issues with my blood counts rising to normal levels but all scans show that I am cancer free!!!!!

5) What do you want people to know about Colon Cancer?
If things are going on with your body that isn’t normal, go see your doctor. I always felt that it had to be something big before going to the doctor. I have found out that if something small continues and you do nothing it can turn into something big. Colon cancer is a very treatable cancer in many cases but even more treatable if caught early.

May 2005 Survivor

Tiffany Taylor

1) What were your symptoms?
My symptoms started out as blood off and on and diarrhea as time progressed increased blood and a lot of gas, constipation, feeling that the bowel didn’t empty all the way, tired all the time

2) What was your stage and treatment plan for your Cancer?
I was diagnosed October 2002 with stage four colorectal cancer with metastasis to the lungs. I began 24 hour a day chemotherapy and daily radiation treatments for six weeks. Then after a month’s break I had surgery the beginning of February which removed my upper left lobe of my lung, full hysterectomy, appendectomy, rectal resection and a ileostomy. Unfortunately after surgery I had a staph infection and had to take daily infusions of antibiotics. After surgery I started to have problems with my bowels I was vomiting and cramping all the time. This was from adhesions (scar tissue) building up and by the end of May had a complete blockage. Another surgery and removal of all scar tissue ileostomy changed to a colostomy and a bakers tube ( A tube that is about 10 to 15 ft long) that went from stomach through bowels to keep them open. After a month it was removed and since then I have slowly regained my health.

3) How was your cancer found?
My cancer was found after I asked for a colonoscopy. I was misdiagnosed for 3 years. A flexible sigmoidoscopy was done in July of 1999 after I went to the doctor with the symptoms of blood and diarrhea. He said I had hemorrhoids and a little spot but he didn’t think it was anything to worry about. It was not even notated on the transcripts. In March of 2002 I went to a doctor and told her I was having problems with my bowels, constipated and the blood. I was told I was young and healthy she gave me a digital rectal exam and told me to eat more fiber and drink lots of water. In June 2003 I saw my obgyn and told him my problems and he referred me to a family physician who told me I was young and healthy and probably had Irritable Bowel Syndrome it has to do with your mind. He gave me a diet that helps with this problem and some pills. My symptoms persisted and I asked for a colonoscopy and that is when the tumor was found right above my hemorrhoids.

4) What is your prognosis now?
I feel pretty good. I eat a lot of green veggies and drink freshly made carrot juice. I cut out all junk foods and processed foods. Right now their is a spot on my lower right lobe of my lung that has very slowly grown. It does not show up as cancer on pet scans. I am keeping the spot monitored and checking into options to take care of it.

5) What do you want people to know about Colon Cancer?
Colon cancer can happen to anyone at anytime. Ten percent of the people diagnosed with colon cancer in the US are under 50 years old. That is about 14,000 young people per year. If you have any symptoms or have a higher risk such as a family or personal history of colon polyps, or cancer, insist on getting a colonoscopy. It can save your life. You are your best advocate!!

March 2005 Survivor

Ed Burgdorf

1) What were your symptoms?
I had experienced quite a bit of abdominal pain and discomfort for almost a full year prior to being diagnosed. For about four months prior to diagnosis I had a feeling of not being finished after bowel movements.

2) What was your stage and treatment plan for your Cancer?
When I was diagnosed I was Stage 2. Initial treatment consisted of a surgery called a “right colectomy” that involved removal of the upper right third of my colon including approximately 26 lymph nodes. Biopsy of lymph nodes came back negative for being involved. Chemotherapy was initiated three months later, but had to be stopped due to adverse reactions I had to the medication.

3) How was your cancer found?
When I initially went to my doctor about the abdominal pain I was having, he prescribed a medication for indigestion as well as writing an order for a colonoscopy. When the medication had no effect, I quit taking it. Within a week or two I had two episodes of a large amount of blood in stool. That prompted my making the appointment for the colonoscopy which found the tumor.

4) What is your prognosis now?
I feel fine except for feeling tired sometimes. I am due to see my Oncologist next week. In addition I will get another colonoscopy in April or May, and will likely have one annually for at least the next 5 years.

5) What do you want people to know about Colon Cancer?
Do not procrastinate on getting a colonoscopy as soon as you turn 50, or if you have any of the symptoms associated with colon cancer. The key to beating the disease is catching it in time.