Saw Two of My Doctors Tuesday

I saw my surgeon on Tuesday November 25th and he was happy with my progress. On Monday I realized I am no longer experiencing foot drop and that's very positive. The only lingering symptom is some slight numbness on the bottom of my big toe and the toe next to it. My doctor expects me to be able to return to work two & a half weeks from now. It's a little more time off than I had hoped, but I will do exactly as his says. This is clearly his arena and not mine.


I also saw my oncologist, the new Chief of Hemotology at Guthrie, on Tuesday and he said all my blood work was great, other than an increased white blood cell count. Considering I had surgery just a little over 24-hours prior to the blood test, it would make sense my white blood cell count was up. He also recommended I seriously consider being tested for the genetic predisposition for colon cancer. He said if I do have a genetic predisposition for colon cancer then my son would need to start having annual colonoscopies at age 26 - 10 years prior to the age I was diagnosed. If I do not have the genetic predisposition for colon cancer, then he could begin annual colonoscopies at age 36...I think. I find out more about that at my next appointment.

Considering I was a Stage II Rectal Cancer when I was diagnosed (at age 36), it would seem the start date for my son's annual colonoscopies would be based on when the cancer likely to have started, not when it was found. The cancer probably started two years prior to diagnosis and perhaps a cancerous or pre-cancerous polyp was what preceded the cancer a couple years prior to that. So I think it's more logical to start his colonoscopies at age 32 if I'm not predispositioned or age 22 if I am. Sorry kiddo. I wish you didn't even need to think about it. xoxo

The Beginning

How it all came about:

• Thursday March 15, 2007 - I requested a referral to see a specialist. Why? I was passing too much red blood for too long (and getting no results with my, now former, primary care physician).
• Wednesday March 21, 2007 - Examination by general surgeon - unknown mass found.
• Friday March 23, 2007 - Colonoscopy - ulcerous tumor found
• Tuesday March 27, 2007 - Diagnosed with Stage II Rectal Cancer

Doctor recommend 6-weeks chemotherapy & radiation followed by resection surgery
[resection surgery: removal of descending colon, sigmoid colon & rectum; rebuilding of new rectum with transverse colon and reconnected to anus; temporary ostomy bag for 8 months while resection surgery heals]
followed by 3 to 6 more months of chemotherapy & radiation

• Wednesday March 28, 2007 - I cried my stinking eyes out, screamed at the ceiling and then cried a whole lot more.
  

• Friday April 13, 2007 - 2nd Opinion at Sloan-Kettering

Doctor recommended (same regiment of chemotherapy & radiation) along with permanent removal of descending colon, sigmoid colon, rectum & anus with permanent colostomy.