KathyRd's Journey with Colorectal (Colon) Cancer

I was over 50 and had been recommended to have a colonoscopy... didn't do it right away and Kaiser sent me a test in the mail that I did and sent back in. They found hidden blood in the stool and said I needed a colonoscopy but, as I had hemorroids, it was probably from that... when the procedure was done, the gastro Dr came out and said - you have cancer - Stage 1 and it is in the lining of the wall. I then scheduled surgery and had it removed, along with the lymph nodes and other attachments for testing to see if it had spread. FORTUNATELY it had NOT!! I was then offered the opportunity to join a clinical trial where they said they would test the tumor for risk of reoccurence. And the Trial would monitor me for 10 yrs. The risk level came back as low, so I didn't have to have chemo - which was the biggest relief I could ever have imagined. I have been in the Trial for 4 years now - had a follow up colonoscopy - came back OK, now waiting to have another one this year - 4 years later. That will be on 10/29, so hoping for the best again!

I put the details in my other blurb, but it was the best decision I could have made and feel that Trials are very helpful to work to find cures or processes that will help save lives.