Survivor Story: Amy Weidner-LaSala

I’m a high school English Teacher in the New York City Public School System.

There has been a history of cancer in my family. My grandfather had an intestinal cancer- we assume it was colon cancer. He died young, when my father was 18. My father was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2001. His tumor was removed and he is currently cancer free!

I had rectal bleeding for many years. Doctors assumed I had a hemorrhoid. I was told that because I was young and healthy, it was nothing to worry about. After about 5 years of intermittent rectal bleeding, and two doctors telling me it was probably nothing, I decided that *something* was wrong with me, and self-referred to a gastroenterologist in 2005. He preformed a rectal exam as well, agreed that I was probably fine, but seeing how my father had colon cancer it was not unreasonable to get a colonoscopy. That’s when he found my tumor.

I first went to the hospital connected with my gastroenterologist. The course of treatment they recommended was very aggressive. I then got a second opinion at Memorial Salone Kettering Cancer Center. The surgeon I saw there was a specialist in early onset cancers and preservation of the sphincter muscle, both of which were very applicable to my situation, as my tumor was very low and I was only 27. I was looking for the best quality of life as possible afterward, and I felt confident that MSKCC would provide me the best care for my needs.

I had relatively aggressive treatment starting with chemotherapy on a pump- I was connected to chemo 24/7 for about two months. I simultaneously had 30 sessions of radiation. Once a week, I received a new chemo pump and a dose of Herbitux, which was then a clinical trial drug. When I finished my chemotherapy/radiation treatments, I had a two week break, and I had my surgery. I had what is known as a Lower Anterior Resection, where my surgeon removed my rectum and formed a “j-pouch” with some of my intestine to act as a rectum. I was able to avoid having a colostomy.  A few months after my surgery I had another round of chemotherapy, but this time through an oral dosage, which was a relief!

Colon cancer pretty much sucked, but it helped me realize what an amazing community of friends and family I have. My husband (then-fiance) was an amazing support, my friends were always around with cards, phone calls, care packages and trashy magazines. One of my friends drove me to radiation as much as she could. People hung out with me on my “chemo chair” days. My colleagues even donated me sick days! It was an amazing outpouring of love and support.

My doctor put me on a high-fiber, low fat diet. I mostly stick to it, avoiding fatty foods (though sometimes I can’t resist) and taking a fiber supplement in addition to eating whole grains.  When I give into fatty temptation, I have a lot of stomach problems, so I try to avoid it. The only medicine I currently take is Imodium for when my stomach issues strike. I have a normal, active lifestyle. I don’t feel like there’s much of anything I can’t do!

Before I started my chemo and radiation therapies,  I was told that I would become infertile due to my treatments. To have the option of biological children (or heck, even children- who knows if I could adopt with my cancer history) I had to go through fertility treatments, creating embryos with my future (current) husband.

Now, four years later, we’re weighingoptions on how to proceed, as the scar tissue in my body will inhibit my ability to carry a child to term. I have no doubt we’re going to complete our family, but loss of my fertility and my inability to carry my children is something that I mourn.

My advice to someone fighting colon cancer is to be as strong as you can, but allow yourself to be sad or scared when you need to be. Let yourself lean on people- your family, your friends- they want to help. They feel helpless- perhaps more helpless than you do. They’re scared too. If they want to help you, let them. You don’t have to protect them, and you don’t have to be strong by doing everything yourself. I know it was weird for me to have to ask for help, but by getting help, I was also giving help.