How a routine colonoscopy led to my stage 2 rectal cancer diagnosis: Part 1
Sally C.’s Story
“How is Stage 2 rectal cancer diagnosed during a routine screening?”
In Part 1 of her story, Sally C. details how a routine colonoscopy revealed a rectal tumor despite having no overt symptoms. She describes managing a sudden emergency gallbladder complication before beginning 28 days of radiation and chemotherapy.
Essential Notes:
Keeping up with routine colonoscopy schedules is critical for early detection of gastrointestinal cancers.
Pre-existing medical issues (such as gallstones) must sometimes be addressed surgically before starting cancer treatment.
Radiation therapy requires daily commitments, skin marking/tattoos, and close coordination with radiation oncologists.
Having a family history of cancer reinforces the importance of timely diagnostic screenings.
Cancer has been in my life, in my family almost my whole life. My maternal grandmother died from breast cancer (I was about age 4). My maternal grandfather died at age 89 from complications from prostate surgery. My mom received a diagnosis of ovarian cancer when she was in her 50’s and it recurred two more times, though she outlived cancer, dying at the ripe age of 97.
My father also had prostate cancer. I lost a dear close girl 1st cousin to breast cancer, along with a few other 2nd cousins. Then I lost my dear friend Dana to breast cancer, and several years later another good friend, Charlotte, to cervical cancer. Another good friend in that same friend group, Kyle, had thyroid cancer. Both my daughter and sister had melanoma. And of course others in my life who have passed due to cancer.
A family history of cancer and routine screening
On Wednesday, September 1, 2021, I went in for a normal colonoscopy. I had had a few colonoscopies at this point due to polyps. Honestly, I’m not sure I ever knew if those polyps (such a cute word) were pre-cancerous or not.
Because of there being so much cancer in my life, routine checkups such as colonoscopies, mammograms, pap smears etc. were always routine and on time. On this day I was just having a routine colonoscopy. I think I was on the 3–5-year plan and I went ahead and scheduled it on my 3-year date – so glad I did.
On this day, post exam, I was just expecting to hear that I was clean or was still under watch with polyps. After being asked to wait in one room, they moved us to a different room, perhaps more private. I didn’t think anything of it. However just a few minutes later my surgeon came in and gave me the news that she had found a growth and by the looks of it, it was cancerous.
Well, there it was ... the C word. I was surprised and yet not shocked. With so much cancer around me it wasn’t as if I expected it, but did I? Right away my surgeon instructed me to get a CT exam as soon as possible and then gave me references for a colorectal surgeon, and oncologists.
Receiving the diagnosis and emergency gallbladder surgery
We went home in a bit of shock. My husband encouraged me to call to get a CT right away and luckily, I was able to get in the next day. Then I started making a few calls to family and friends. I think that day I even went to tell my daughters who happened to be together.
My CT scan confirmed cancer and stage 2 as the tumor was pushing into the wall of the rectum. In a way it was good to have this defined. Next step was to meet with a surgeon who would plan out my course of treatment.
However, my CT scan also showed that my gallbladder was a mess (I had no symptoms), and the remaining 1⁄2 of thyroid (I’d had surgery in 2002 to remove part of my thyroid due to a growth) had a growth that probably needed to be dealt with at some point. It was determined that I would need to have my gallbladder removed before any cancer treatment could begin – this was to ensure that I would not have to have emergency surgery in the midst of my cancer treatment.
On Wednesday, September 29th I had my gallbladder surgery. The surgeon told me it was one of the worst gallbladders he’d ever seen. All seemed to be going well until I woke up at home on Saturday morning about 1 am in intense pain. Soon we were on to the emergency room at the hospital where I’d had surgery. It was determined that I had thrown a gallstone. I was told there was a 1% chance of this happening. An attempt to put in a stent that afternoon was unsuccessful, so I was heavily medicated until they could try again Sunday morning. This time it was a success. Now I could begin my cancer treatment.
Starting radiation and chemotherapy treatments
It was determined that the tumor needed to shrink before surgery, therefore I would have 28 days of radiation/pill chemo, followed by 3 chemo infusion treatments (48 hours each ~ bringing the chemo home in a bag and returning two days later for them to take out), then I’d have surgery followed by 5 more chemo treatments.
Luckily, I live about 40 minutes from the Swedish Cancer Institute where I had my treatments. Others weren’t as fortunate, living farther away. Before radiation began, I had to be tattooed in the spot where the radiation would be focused. So yes, I have a tattoo.
Even with a scheduled time, often time treatment was delayed, on occasion equipment was broken down. And though my radiation was about a 5–10-minute process, it was a longer commitment each day. Normally my husband went with me, but on occasion a friend or one of my daughters went with me if my husband was unavailable.
I got to know the technicians which was nice as they were all very friendly. It’s a bit embarrassing to have to bear your behind to a group of strangers but they did their best to make me feel comfortable. Once a week I would meet with my radiation oncologist. I finished my radiation treatments the day before Thanksgiving. I took the techs candy to thank them and got to ring the bell…
Read Part 2 of Sally's story to learn how she navigated surgery and ostomy recovery in Part 2 of her rectal cancer journey.
You don't have to navigate this alone.
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