It has been two weeks and a few days since I had my upper GI endoscopy and colonoscopy that revealed the presence of colorectal cancer. Even though follow-up tests were required the following day to provide confirmation, my gastroenterologist seemed confident. I had chosen him based on Mom’s past experience with him and her trust in his work. I didn’t have any reason to doubt his diagnosis other than the idea that I shouldn’t have cancer. The follow-up tests – CT scan and blood tests – confirmed the original diagnosis.
Even with the passage of two weeks, I still don’t know how I feel or what I should feel. This is a shock. There is very little incidence of cancer of any type in my family. Heart disease is the common problem on both sides. I am relatively young; just a few months shy of 50. I have never smoked and have drunk very little alcohol in my entire life. I’m not overweight. I eat a sensible diet, not perfectly healthy, but low in fat and the other bad stuff. I don’t exercise as much as I should, but I in recent years I have been walking fairly regularly. After giving me the confirmed diagnosis, my gastroenterologist said that sometimes a person can do all the right things and still get cancer.
This Thursday I will see an oncologist and hopefully will be told a recommended course of treatment. I haven’t done much research, but enough to know that surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation are often used depending on the type and severity of the cancer. The likelihood of having all three at some point in the next few months seems strong. I just want to know what is ahead and when it is going to happen.
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