The back story:
My sister passed away in the fall from cancer. After she passed, I had a couple of amazing friends who told me I should get checked out and get every test.
I was feeling completely fine, but I went to the doctor and got all the testing done. All my results came back normal except for my FIT test—it came back with an abnormality, so a colonoscopy was booked for Friday, January 10th.
The doctor found one polyp, which was removed, and she said I had a generally healthy colon—BUT— there was a large-ish lesion/growth in my colon that had a very angry center. The doctor said then that it looked like cancer. A biopsy was done along with blood work to test for cancer/tumor markers, and also an urgent CT scan, as she was very concerned about cancer in my chest, torso, and organs. That was all done that day before I left the hospital. Miracle!
The doctor called just after 6 pm that same night (Miracle) and said the CT scan showed that I was completely clear. Praise God!
Following that, the doctor put in a request for an urgent MRI and appointment with the colon surgeon in Saskatoon, SK.
On January 14th (4 days later) (another Miracle), the doctor called with the biopsy results, confirming the growth/tumour was cancerous.
January 16th (2 days later, Miracle), I got the call for an MRI booked for Friday, January 24th. Absolutely a miracle at how fast I got in!
Thirteen days after the colonoscopy (Miracle) on January 23rd, I got a letter in the mail for an appointment with Dr. Roy, a colorectal surgeon, for Wednesday, February 5th, in Saskatoon. My head was swirling with how fast everything was happening.
February 5 – Sigmoidoscopy
This appointment (last appointment of the day, and the entire team stayed late for me) was a miracle in itself.
Dr. Roy, my surgeon, took a couple more biopsies from the tumour, and he confirmed yet again that it was cancer. The MRI showed that everything else was good except the tumour, which had already grown into the muscle, so invasive surgery was my only option at that point.
The surgeon explained everything about the plan for surgery. Surgery would consist of removing about 8 inches of my rectum (which we have learned is the entire lower part of the colon). He also explained that to heal in that area properly, an ileostomy bag will be used for two to three months. After my surgery, they will send the removed section away to be tested. This takes a month or so. The results of this test will determine whether I need chemo and/or radiation or not.
The surgeon said that I need to be prepared to be in the hospital for one week (for sure) after surgery.
After that, there is a six-to-eight-week recovery period where I can do NO lifting of any kind.
March 14—Surgery
My surgery went well and better than expected—the doctor looked around and couldn’t see cancer anywhere else, Praise God! So they did a study on the section of bowel they removed to see what stage the cancer was at, and that will determine whether chemo or radiation are required.
My pain was basically nothing when lying in bed. I experienced some pain when I moved, walked, etc., but the surgeon and nurses could not believe I wasn’t using more morphine. I was up and walking less than 24 hours after surgery. So, I was able to continue with my goal of walking every day. Miracle! God had every detail so taken care of!
3 days after surgery, the doctor/nurses were amazed at my fast recovery. Miracle. I should have been in the hospital for a week.
Healing Process
All the incisions healed well; I had no discomfort or pain from surgery after about 4-5 days. I struggled with skin irritation on one side of my stoma. It was a bit to figure out food, but things are going well now.
I returned to work one month after surgery.
I am still walking every day for 30 minutes—not quite as far, but it’s coming.
My Surgeon called 5 1/2 weeks after surgery, with the results of the removed intestine:
It was stage one cancer. Miracle.
No cancer in lymph nodes at all. Miracle.
No cancer in the lower rectum. Miracle.
My Surgeon got ALL the cancer! Miracle.
NO CHEMO OR OTHER CANCER TREATMENT NEEDED! Miracle, miracle. God is Good ALL the time!
Next steps
May 21—an appointment to inject liquids into my large intestine to make sure it is sealed.
I’m waiting for a sigmoidoscopy appointment with my surgeon to check that everything is healed properly. This will be in the next couple of months.
Then, if all is good, I’ll wait for a surgery date to reverse the ileostomy. My surgeon says this probably won’t happen until late summer, early fall. But I’m praying for a miracle!
Prayers for now
I am struggling with energy and exhaustion—a side effect of not getting as many nutrients from food because it’s not going through my large intestine. I am also struggling with getting a good seal on my stomach flange, and therefore have leakage, which is burning my skin.
God has truly blessed me with my family, my church, my community, and all of you. God is so good all the time! We have no words that can adequately express the thankfulness and overwhelming gratitude Grant and I have for you—for the amazing amount of prayer, donations, and cards that have come to us. Miracle!
Darla Wasmuth