Can you describe the moment you were first diagnosed?
For me, I was just waking up from my first ever colonoscopy. I was assessing my physical self. Where am I? Ok, I’m alive and laying on a gurney in a private office or some small room. It’s quiet so I have a moment to gather my thoughts. Where did I hurt? Surprisingly, I didn’t hurt at all. I’m OK, not even groggy from the anesthetic. In walked the gastroenterologist holding a file folder. He had a calming yet authoritative voice. I was instantly put at ease. I don’t remember much of what he told me. It seemed like he talked for a while or maybe not, I really don’t remember.
All I heard was that I have colon cancer and it looks bad.
I made him stop talking. I put my hand up like a stop sign. I really couldn’t comprehend anything he was saying. I heard cancer and froze. I don’t know how long I sat there. The doctor never made me feel rushed. When I was ready, he opened the folder and showed me all the pictures. What the hell was I looking at?
Tell me your story. It does help to talk about it, at least it helps me. I’m here to listen.
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Yes.
I went to my primary care doctor for a rash on my side, which would not go away. She gave me some hydrocortisone cream and recommended that I see a dermatologist if the rash did not resolve after this treatment. The rash did not go away, so I went to see my dermatologist, and he knew right away what it was. He gave me a new prescription and said the rash should clear up soon. However, while I was there, he suggested a full body exam. He proceeded to check me and found one slightly darker freckle he thought should be reviewed more closely. He took a biopsy and sent it to the lab.
One week later, I found out it was a very aggressive melanoma. I was rushed into surgery for a full resection, where they discovered it had spread to three out of four nearby sentinel nodes.
Finding out I had cancer wasn't as overwhelming as the shock, while on the gurney, that it was metastatic. If not for the sedative I was already on prior to heading into surgery I would have had a full breakdown right then and there.
This is my story:
https://www.northside.com/about/news-center/patient-stories/shally-s-story-talk-to-others-about-your-cancer-diagnosis