Greg Stewart:  

2007 The Bottom Line - Our First 3 Months with Colorectal Cancer: In 2007 I was diagnosed with Rectal Cancer. Over the previous year I had noticed some changes in my bowel habits which seemed minor. Most of the time I blamed the diarrhea, gas, abdominal pain, discomfort, and frequent, foul smelling bowel movements on the flu, something I had eaten, etc. After all, I am a man and everyone knows what we are like when it comes to going to the Doctor! Along with this I was having symptoms of frequent urination and some minor erectile dysfunction. This I attributed to my age of 47 years which I had read is around the age when some of these conditions begin. Just before Christmas 2006, my medical problems finally got to the point that even I could no longer ignore them nor make excuses as to why I did not need to see a Doctor. My blood pressure suddenly plummeted to 90/60 and I nearly passed out on numerous occasions. Over the next 5 months, I had every test of every bodily fluid and excretion that would normally be done for the symptoms I was presenting. This included numerous tests for beaver fever, and even a chest x-ray. During this series of tests I learned I had been anemic for about a year. I had gone for a blood test during a bout with pneumonia a year ago, but had not been informed of these results at that time. I have read recently that anemia can be a symptom of some types of Cancer! My condition quickly worsened to the point that I was making visits to the washroom every half hour and was experiencing severe, painful cramps. I dropped from 360 lb. down to 300 lb. over 5 months. Although the weight loss was a good thing, there was no explanation for it. An appointment was made for me to see a visiting G.I. specialist who had come up from Vancouver. He suspected I was suffering from Crone's Disease, Colitis or something similar. I was sent to Prince Rupert for a Colonoscopy and an Upper G.I. Endoscopy. These tests are done by inserting a flexible tube up your bottom and down your throat so the Doctor can have a look at what is going on inside. I had to drink a strong laxative the night before the procedure, at which time I found out that eating a huge portion of that great tasting pizza for dinner may not have been such a good idea! I awoke from this procedure bloated with air that had been inserted to facilitate viewing, which gave me some discomfort until the air was released the moment I sat on the toilet. A short time after I awoke the Doctor came in with the results of the procedure. With a very concerned look on his face, he stated "You have a large tumor in your rectum that has signs of necrotized tissue (which explained the foul smell) and is causing a restriction to the passage of stool. You also have a large polyp in your transcending colon and a small polyp in your ascending colon. Your best chance is to be sent to Vancouver on an Urgent priority basis." My wife interrupted him asking "Is it Cancer? He replied "Yes". I don't think the look on her face will ever leave my memory. The Doctor told us he would give us some time alone to absorb the information. The realization slowly filtered through my thoughts of what I may be facing. I know my wife was ahead of me in these thoughts. After a short time the Doctor returned and my wife asked him if he was sure it was Cancer. He replied, "110 %". We sat quietly as he explained that I was facing Major Surgery involving the removal of my rectum & at least two thirds of my large colon; Radiation and Chemotherapy. I was listening with part of my mind while the word "Cancer" just repeated over and over in my thoughts. I thought about my Birthfather (I was adopted) who was diagnosed with Colon Cancer this year which has spread to his liver and lymph nodes. This is his second battle since prostrate cancer and he has been unable to have Chemo due to the risk of another heart attack, so his future does not look hopeful. I thought of our daughters who will need to be tested when they reach their 30's and our grandchildren when they reach their 20's. We left the hospital with a referral to a surgeon at St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver who also set up my visit to the Vancouver branch of the B.C. Cancer Agency. Within a week, we left for Vancouver. Since leaving for Vancouver on June 7, 2007, I have had X-Rays, CT Scans, Ultrasounds, many blood & urine tests, numerous rectal exams, and was given 3 tattoos to mark the sites where I was to receive the Radiation treatments. I've endured 28 Radiation treatments (the max they can give me), 56 Chemotherapy pills and 6 Intravenous Chemo treatments involving 3-4 types of Chemo drugs for my first round,more to follow. Drugs to counteract my allergic reactions to the Chemo drugs, heavy duty anti-nausea medications and large doses of antibiotics & painkillers. The side effects I have experienced include the loss of layers of skin on my hands & feet from the Chemo pills (this has left my hands and feet sore and extremely sensitive), hair loss and burns at the Radiation sites (like a bad sunburn), additional numbness in my fingertips (this can progress and last for a year), low grade fevers, painful abdominal cramping and major fatigue. Yes, to endure the treatment for this disease is emotionally & physically draining, sometimes painful, and uncomfortable & occasionally embarrassing, but the alternative is not very pleasant. I am told that I may be facing up to 4 additional months of Chemo after my surgery which is scheduled for Oct. 5, 2007. We returned home August 23, 2007 so I can recover from my pre-operative treatments. Once the Radiation & Chemotherapy have finished working...Expand for more