Survivor Story: Debbi Morrissey

I am Debbi Morrissey, wife of Tom Morrissey and mother of Cymi Morrissey and I am a Stage IV rectal cancer survivor. What I do is thank God every day that I am still around to be that wife and mother.

My mother Marie Hartzell passed away seven years ago from colorectal cancer. That was the saddest day of my life so far!

My symptoms were unexplained weight loss and change in bowel habits. I started with my primary family doctor that felt something in my rectum along with blood in my stool. My next step was the colonoscopy which was determined to be a tumor in my rectum.

Went to a surgeon Dr Brian Kann at the time with Cooper Hospital, where I was determined to have stage II rectal cancer. Finding this out too would change when I met with my radiation oncologist and chemotherapy oncologist.

My treatment was determined by my surgeon to have radiation to try and shrink my tumor along with chemotherapy, then surgery. All of my treatments have been through Cooper.

My surgeon went to Presbyterian Hospital in Philadelphia, so after initial treatment at which time I found out the cancer spread to my liver making it Stage IV cancer. I had surgery to remove my tumor and to remove the masses (2 of them) from my liver, in August 2010. Back on chemo from September – present.

I had my surgery at University of Pennsylvania with Dr Brian Kann and Dr Jeffery Drebin (my liver surgeon) and from diagnosis through my still ongoing treatment was wonderful; surgery, hospitalization, rehab, and chemo were never once a bad experience.

The effects on my family were never an issue and my support network along with my family were unbelievable! Nothing was ever a problem for anybody. I love my family and friends more than can ever be put into words.

My diet is anything with calories…since I lost over 60 pounds. My lifestyle, well I am lucky to be alive and “it is what it is”

Challenges I faced early on was getting used to letting people help me, since I have always been so damn independent. Getting use to always being tired and of course the colostomy.

I would tell others in my situation to keep God in your heart, mind and soul. Keep your sense of humor and if you never had one, get one, and fight with all you have. The things that helped me cope were my love for my husband Tom and my daughter Cymi. My independent nature. My sense of humor. My belief in God. These are the things that still get me through everything daily.

My story continues daily. I am in remission now still getting chemo for as long as my body will tolerate it and am continuing to live each day the best way I know how.

Again, thank you all for your love and support, and most of all thanks to Tom & Cymi the loves of my life.