My Story - Installment #1

Hi, this is Chuck. I guess it’s about time I entered something on this blog, since it has my name on it. First, I want to thank my daughter Marcia for having created it and to everyone who has already added something on it. Second, I would like to thank and acknowledge my wife Cyndy and all of the amazing support she has already provided. In addition to being there for all of my doctor and hospital appointments (which have been many), she has been keeping a 3” three-ring binder of everything related to my process so far (doctors, appointment, documents, billing statements, etc.). It’s already proven to be a valuable resource and I’m sure it will continue to be helpful. She’s been a Godsend. I guess I made a pretty good choice some 35 years ago.

Here’s just a quick summary on how we got to this point. When I turned 50, I knew that I should probably get a colonoscopy due to my age. But, up until that time in my life, I basically had had no significant health problems in my life. Oh, there were a few broken bones, a bad back that flared up every few years, and a number of colds and flu but that was about it. So I likely had this “air of invincibility” about me (also known as a “false sense of security”). And when I thought about what I knew about a colonoscopy, I thought “I don’t want to go completely under” (I’ve had some less-than-pleasant experiences with that in the past) and the thought of drinking a gallon of some less-than-delicious liquid to “clean me out” and the having some scope roaming around inside my butt, well, that didn’t sound too appealing. So I just kept putting it off and putting it off – until…

In late 2007, I noticed some urinary changes not unlike those in the Flomax commercials. But again I didn’t do anything about it. Then at some point in mid-2008, I began to experience a change in my bowel habits. I just dealt with those changes and accepted them as part of growing older. And again, I didn’t do anything about it (are you sensing a trend?). But those symptoms intensified and then in early March of this year I began to notice occasional blood during my bowel movements. I had already come to the conclusion that “I can’t spend the next 20 years of my life dealing with these habits”, and now the blood was causing some concern. I didn’t fear the worst but certainly the thought was in the back of my mind. I scheduled an appointment with my doctor (Dr. Beusse, "Big Hands") and he was very concerned after doing his rectal check. He mentioned that it could be hemorrhoids or perhaps inflamed tissue but I should have it checked. He referred me to a gastroenterologist (Dr. Kosinski, “Gastro Doc”) whom I saw two days later. Dr. Beusse was so concerned that he called Dr. Kosinski to make sure I had made an appointment. Gastro Doc told me “You need a colonoscopy IMMEDIATELY.” I had it scheduled for the following Tuesday, got through it and that I did pretty well. However, I wasn’t prepared for what Dr. Kosinski told us shortly after the test. “You have a malignant, cancerous tumor in your rectum. You may even ultimately need a colostomy bag.”

My immediate reaction was pretty positive but later that day I guess the reality of it set in and I got rather discouraged. I couldn’t even go to work the next day. But by Thursday I began dealing with this more positively again and have tried to keep up that attitude.

Second installment tomorrow….