Robin Hewitt
Occoquan, Virginia
I went in for my routine colonoscopy at age 50, it was fine. I was told that I did not need to be seen again for another five to ten year years. 18 months later, I was having a section of my colon removed because of a cancerous tumor! I was diagnosed with Stage IIA colon cancer. The medical field needs to rethink the time frame of being screened for colon cancer. At the first sign of any colon cancer symptoms, do not wait. Call your doctor and request to be screened.
Prior to my cancer diagnosis, I was a healthy 51 year old female. I am now 53, again healthy I hope, but forever changed. I work as a bookkeeper with Prince William County Schools, Virginia. I have been with the county for 14 years.
There is no colon cancer in my family that I am aware. I had a distant male cousin who had colon cancer years ago, when he was in his twenties.
I had my first and only colonoscopy at age 50 in June 2007 as a routine medical exam. The results were fine. About eight months after that routine medical exam, I began having difficulty emptying my bowels completely, constipation, bloating and fatigue. As symptoms continued, my stools became thin and spotted with blood. I went for several months with these symptoms, thinking that I was eating something that was upsetting my stomach. I justified the symptoms and brushed them off because I was an active, healthy person.
I finally went in to see the gastrologist who did my original colonoscopy. He recommended a follow up colonoscopy. I had the follow up colonoscopy on January 27, 2009. I was diagnosed on February 3rd with colon cancer. I had surgery on February 5th, ten inches of my sigmoid colon was removed. I was diagnosed on February 5th with Stage IIA colon cancer.
I had surgery at Fairfax Hospital and chemo at North Virginia Oncologists. I had chemo beginning in March 2009 through May of 2009. I stopped chemo due to negative reactions. I am now being checked every three months by my oncologist with blood tests and CT scans. Hopefully I will begin seeing my oncologist every six months starting in December of 2009 if all of my tests come back with no evidence of cancer. Presently, I am cancer free. I want the word to get out; that if you have any symptoms, please see a doctor right away. Do not wait. It could save your life.
Dear Robin,
Thank you for sharing your story. And congratulations on being “C” free for all of this time.
I also have Stage IIA and also discontinued chemo treatments due to severe reactions. The research I conducted stated that giving chemo to stage II was controversial as their wasn’t any evidence that it helped. If there was any benefit it was miniscule at best and the risk of the chemo was greater than the risk of reoccurrence. I was first told I would have 0 chemo, then told 6 sessions and then the day of my first chemo session was told they recommended 12 sessions. I decided to try it as an “insurance” policy but after 6 sessions felt I would not make it, it was killing me. The week I made my decision, which was based on facts and research and not emotion, I was in the emergency room and then 3 days later I fell due to the neuropathy. I was very fortunate I didn’t break anything.
Thank you again for sharing your story and I wish you a continued happy life with no reoccurrence! Take care.
Sincerely,
Sharon
I too had surgery for colon cancer stage 2.I had 45cm.of colon taken .I have chosen not to.have chemotherapy ..personal choice. I hope that I too can live a healthy happy life and try to be positive .Thank you for sharing your story ..Robyn from.Gold Coast Australia
Hi Robin!!! Hope you are doing better these days… i am also diagnosed with colon cancer stage 2 on April 9,2021 and had the operation on the 22nd of April. They totally removed the right part of my colon that carries the only affexted one. I’m recovering now at home and i thank God because i am still doing good. On Monday will be my next appointment to the doctor after i was discharged. Like you i also want to tell my doctor thati won’t go for the chemotherapy sessions…personal choice..everything happened so fast and until now i am still hesitant to tell the people around me..i am 48 and my kids(13,8) still need me.
After I awoke from my colonoscopy – I was told that I had colon cancer and that I should have surgery as soon as possible
At first I took the diagnosis with a remarkably measured outlook, even though I was facing possible death.
And I said to myself “When I do pass on, one thing they will not say at my funeral is
‘Oh, he was taken from us too soon.’ Hey guys, I’m 80 years old. I had one hell of a good life, and I’ve enjoyed it.
And the thought of passing on doesn’t frighten me, it doesn’t.”
It’s been 5 weeks since I had my surgery and it seems that I am Cancer Free. I am truly thankful for additional time
I have been given to enjoy my life.
I have symptoms I can’t explain.My colonoscopy was negative 6months ago.Lower right abdominal and Supra pubic cramps,a lot of gas and farting,occasional bloating and some constipation with loose stools
No anaemia no fatique.I have lost the pleasure of feeling completely empty following defae catio.My doctor says it is Irritable bowel syndromee and gavee me mebevirine.pls what can I do.Am 51 yrs old