Helen Dittmer
Stage 3A colon cancer Survivor
I had no sypmptoms, no family history. But, in September of 2005, at the age of 41, I developed a pimple on my butt, and didn't think anything of it. Then, two weeks later I noticed a lump under the skin on my butt. I went to my regular doc, who sent me to the best Colon and Rectal surgeon, Dr. Sobocinski. Dr. Sobocinski told me the 'pimple' was an infection and I had an anal fistula. In October 2005, I had surgery. The fistula did not heal. In March 2006, Dr. Sobocinski performed a colonoscopy, and found a very flat growth. The biopsy came back negative. We did another colonoscopy in May 2006, trying to remove the growth, but could not. I was sent for a second opinion, and had a third colonoscopy on 6/5/06. The gastrointestinal doctor could not remove it and recommended surgery.
When I was in recovery, Dr. Sobocinski came in to see me and told me he wanted me to have surgery the next day. On 6/6/6, I had my surgery, and was in intensive care for 4 days. I lost 5 inches of my colon and the tumor was 2 inches. My surgeon was ecstatic because the tumor was contained in the colon and he thought it was stage 1A. One week later, when I went to have my stiches removed, while I was on the table with my pants down, he looks at my chart and says one of the lymph nodes was positive, so I needed more treatment.
Stunned & shocked, I left his office with the name of an Oncologist. This was Monday afternoon, and I couldn't see the Oncologist until Friday, (the longest week of my life). During the week, I called Dr. Sobocinski's office to make sure they sent copies of my scans to the Oncologist. Without asking, the nurse puts Dr. Sobocinski on the phone, and in less than five minutes he convinced me I am not going to die, and tells me if I have any problems, call him. He said that if the Oncologist is not nice to me he will beat him up for me, (it was the first time I laughed, or even smiled, in weeks).
The Oncologist, (a very nice Dr. by the way), recommended over a 24 week period, 12 treatments of Fluorouracil (5FU), Levourin, & Oxaliplatin through a port implanted in my chest. Every other week I went to the Oncology office for 4 to 4 1/2 hours then wore a pack for another 46 hours (eventually I got enough courage to go to work with it, so besides being tired and sick, I had tubes sticking out of my shirt), and was unhooked on Friday. After the first chemo, walking home, my brother bought me a milkshake, (since I already started losing weight) and I forgot how to swallow (very scary). Also, the cold liquid was like drinking a cup of glass. I didn't have a cold drink for about 9 months, or remove anything from the fridge without gloves.
The Tuesday after my first chemo I ended up in the hospital for bronchitis, (I have a history of Asthma), and don't think I ever got my energy back. We continued the treatments, but it was horrible. I was so tired all the time. I woke up tired, napped tired, went to bed tired. I also had diarrhea at least once a day. In October, (mid-treatment), I lost 10 pounds in two weeks, and the doc said I was too sick for chemo, and I ended up in the hospital for dehydration. My blood pressure was 80/60. I was weak tired, and really thought the chemo had destroyed my intestines. But no, the diarrhea is a very common side effect of all the meds I was receiving, especially the 5FU. The next week we cut the 5FU in half and continued.
I had lost about 30 pounds, and was very ill, but surviving after my 9th treatment. I started getting pain and numbness in my feet. We cut the Oxaliplatin in half, then eliminated it altogether for the last two treatments. The pain in my hands and feet got much worse after we stopped, (I couldn't even button my shirt at times). My last chemo was mid January 2007.
So far all my tests, (cat scan, colonoscopy, blood tests, mammogram), have all been normal. My parents are deceased (mom from COPD in 1998, and dad from leukemia in 1993). I take care of my mentally challenged brother. My other brother and his wife live with me to help with my disabled brother. My friends said they would help but never really did anything, my coworkers and boss were very good to me, but basically I was alone. I went for every Chemo/surgery/test alone.
The only one by my side through it all was my dog. Jerry is an eight pound, eight year old Chihuahua, who napped with me every day, and would stay by my side when I fell asleep on the couch. He came to look forard to our naps almost as much as I did. Sometimes the only reason to get out of bed was for him. If I didn't have to take care of him I would have slept all day.
I still have the nerve pain (neuropathy) and it bothers me every day. As a side note, I still have the Anal Fistula we did surgery on in May 2007. The fiber plug, that also failed, and my third opinion does not offer much hope that we can fix it without loss of muscle control. I am waiting for the docs to confer and tell me what I should do.
There was no reason for Dr. Sobocinski to perform the original colonoscopy. It was not required or necessary at my age with my symptoms. If he hadn't, the tumor would have grown, and after growing for another 8 years, probably would have killed me. Many doctors have told me how lucky I am, (the tumor was benighn on the outside and the cancer was in the middle). I think my doc is the best. He saved my life, and I love him for it.
Life is different after Cancer. I used to read stories like this and think, "Yea right, your whole attitude changes after you're sick!" but it is true. About 3/4 of the way through chemo, I started to feel happier then I have been in a long time. The little things don't bother me as much. People tell me I am not totally different, just better. I feel like I got a second chance at life and my second birthday is 6/6/6.
I am living proof that a colonoscopy can save your life. It is not the most pleasant thing to experience and I know some people are embarassed, but that is just stupid. First of all, it's the doctor's job, your butt is no better or worse than anyone else they will see today. It's a lot more embarassing to pass out on the subway or unable to walk up the stairs because of the chemo side effects. Or, tell your boss, (after having been out of work for 3 weeks), that you will need to be out 3 days every other week for six months. Or to be afraid that you are going to die. If you are over 50, or have any symptoms, go see your doctor today!!
When I was in recovery, Dr. Sobocinski came in to see me and told me he wanted me to have surgery the next day. On 6/6/6, I had my surgery, and was in intensive care for 4 days. I lost 5 inches of my colon and the tumor was 2 inches. My surgeon was ecstatic because the tumor was contained in the colon and he thought it was stage 1A. One week later, when I went to have my stiches removed, while I was on the table with my pants down, he looks at my chart and says one of the lymph nodes was positive, so I needed more treatment.
Stunned & shocked, I left his office with the name of an Oncologist. This was Monday afternoon, and I couldn't see the Oncologist until Friday, (the longest week of my life). During the week, I called Dr. Sobocinski's office to make sure they sent copies of my scans to the Oncologist. Without asking, the nurse puts Dr. Sobocinski on the phone, and in less than five minutes he convinced me I am not going to die, and tells me if I have any problems, call him. He said that if the Oncologist is not nice to me he will beat him up for me, (it was the first time I laughed, or even smiled, in weeks).
The Oncologist, (a very nice Dr. by the way), recommended over a 24 week period, 12 treatments of Fluorouracil (5FU), Levourin, & Oxaliplatin through a port implanted in my chest. Every other week I went to the Oncology office for 4 to 4 1/2 hours then wore a pack for another 46 hours (eventually I got enough courage to go to work with it, so besides being tired and sick, I had tubes sticking out of my shirt), and was unhooked on Friday. After the first chemo, walking home, my brother bought me a milkshake, (since I already started losing weight) and I forgot how to swallow (very scary). Also, the cold liquid was like drinking a cup of glass. I didn't have a cold drink for about 9 months, or remove anything from the fridge without gloves.
The Tuesday after my first chemo I ended up in the hospital for bronchitis, (I have a history of Asthma), and don't think I ever got my energy back. We continued the treatments, but it was horrible. I was so tired all the time. I woke up tired, napped tired, went to bed tired. I also had diarrhea at least once a day. In October, (mid-treatment), I lost 10 pounds in two weeks, and the doc said I was too sick for chemo, and I ended up in the hospital for dehydration. My blood pressure was 80/60. I was weak tired, and really thought the chemo had destroyed my intestines. But no, the diarrhea is a very common side effect of all the meds I was receiving, especially the 5FU. The next week we cut the 5FU in half and continued.
I had lost about 30 pounds, and was very ill, but surviving after my 9th treatment. I started getting pain and numbness in my feet. We cut the Oxaliplatin in half, then eliminated it altogether for the last two treatments. The pain in my hands and feet got much worse after we stopped, (I couldn't even button my shirt at times). My last chemo was mid January 2007.
So far all my tests, (cat scan, colonoscopy, blood tests, mammogram), have all been normal. My parents are deceased (mom from COPD in 1998, and dad from leukemia in 1993). I take care of my mentally challenged brother. My other brother and his wife live with me to help with my disabled brother. My friends said they would help but never really did anything, my coworkers and boss were very good to me, but basically I was alone. I went for every Chemo/surgery/test alone.
The only one by my side through it all was my dog. Jerry is an eight pound, eight year old Chihuahua, who napped with me every day, and would stay by my side when I fell asleep on the couch. He came to look forard to our naps almost as much as I did. Sometimes the only reason to get out of bed was for him. If I didn't have to take care of him I would have slept all day.
I still have the nerve pain (neuropathy) and it bothers me every day. As a side note, I still have the Anal Fistula we did surgery on in May 2007. The fiber plug, that also failed, and my third opinion does not offer much hope that we can fix it without loss of muscle control. I am waiting for the docs to confer and tell me what I should do.
There was no reason for Dr. Sobocinski to perform the original colonoscopy. It was not required or necessary at my age with my symptoms. If he hadn't, the tumor would have grown, and after growing for another 8 years, probably would have killed me. Many doctors have told me how lucky I am, (the tumor was benighn on the outside and the cancer was in the middle). I think my doc is the best. He saved my life, and I love him for it.
Life is different after Cancer. I used to read stories like this and think, "Yea right, your whole attitude changes after you're sick!" but it is true. About 3/4 of the way through chemo, I started to feel happier then I have been in a long time. The little things don't bother me as much. People tell me I am not totally different, just better. I feel like I got a second chance at life and my second birthday is 6/6/6.
I am living proof that a colonoscopy can save your life. It is not the most pleasant thing to experience and I know some people are embarassed, but that is just stupid. First of all, it's the doctor's job, your butt is no better or worse than anyone else they will see today. It's a lot more embarassing to pass out on the subway or unable to walk up the stairs because of the chemo side effects. Or, tell your boss, (after having been out of work for 3 weeks), that you will need to be out 3 days every other week for six months. Or to be afraid that you are going to die. If you are over 50, or have any symptoms, go see your doctor today!!