My life took a sharp turn in 2022. In my early 40s, I started experiencing stomach pain. I tried treating it myself at first, and it seemed to work – until a week later. The pain returned, a dull ache like a deep muscle cramp.
Worried, I went to the doctor. We thought it might be appendicitis, so they did an ultrasound. The results were concerning enough to warrant a CT scan for a more thorough look. The wait for those results was agonizing. Finally, the doctor requested a face-to-face meeting.
That day became a blur, one of the worst of my life. The news was a punch to the gut: I had cancer, and immediate action was needed. A colonoscopy was recommended.
My wife, who had been through her father’s cancer battle, understood the procedures involved. While I underwent the colonoscopy, we searched for an oncologist to consult with as soon as possible.
The colonoscopy results were not what we’d hoped. The pathology confirmed a malignant tumor. Our oncologist proposed immediate surgery.
The whole family was traumatized. Life felt surreal. We sought a second opinion at Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK), and their diagnosis matched the first. Knowing MSK’s expertise with such cases, I switched oncologists and we began the search for a surgeon. Thankfully, we were able to secure a consultation and schedule the surgery quickly.
The colectomy surgery was a success. However, the news wasn’t all sunshine. The removed section of my colon revealed that the cancer had penetrated the walls, placing me in the latter stages of stage 3. While relieved to have the tumor removed, the follow-up was still a source of worry.
In future posts, I’ll share more details about my experiences and how I’m planning for the future. Life throws curveballs, but it also goes on, whether we like it or not.