It was
March 1st, 1999, and I was excited to be packing for a weeks work in
British Columbia for the purpose of Sea Lion surveys. The Amphib Beaver
has been readied for the flight on the previous Friday, and was ready for
an early start.
I had experienced a few stomach pains, and had visited
the doctor three or four times, and taken several tests during the past
few months. The tests failed to indicate any problems and the Doctor
suggested taking some ant-acid medicine, as heartburn was the only symptom
that he felt I had. I was feeling well now, and enjoyed a nice Sunday
dinner with the family.
I retired to bed early, so I could get up early. About
midnight, I awoke with severe stomach pains, much worse than any previous
pain. I called the night Doctor at the hospital and he suggested ant-acid
and said to call if the pains got worse. About two AM the pains got worse.
I was experiencing hot and cold flashes and sweating profusely. The pain
was so great that I could not stand up. My wife called the Hospital and
told them that she was bringing me in. Demerol provided no relief, so they
gave me Morphine. It took the edge off the pain, but I really got no rest
till they put a "block" in my back. After many hours and many
tests and X-rays, my Doctor suggested exploratory surgery, with
appendicitis being the most likely prognosis.
After five hours in surgery, I awoke to the announcement that the
surgeons had removed ten inches of my intestines and a large tumor that
appeared cancerous. It is absolutely amazing how fast ones world can come
tumbling down. The aftershock came when the lab results confirmed colon
cancer. No one in my family on either side has ever had
cancer. To say that I was devastated is an
understatement. After twelve days in the hospital, I went home to recover
from surgery. In April I started a 22 week chemotherapy protocol. To put
it bluntly, it was hell. I was so sick, that I barely remember last
summer. I finished that in August, and in October I applied for my flight
physical. My AME established my eligibility with an inch thick document of
medical reports and sent it to Oklahoma City, to receive FAA approval.
This , in itself is another story that I will not detail here, but suffice
it to say that all the stories that you have ever heard about FAA
bureaucratic SNAFUS are true. Finally, and with the help of AOPA, I
received my approval in January. It was surely a great feeling to
be able to aviate again! I once again felt whole.
Why am I boring you with this personal experience?
Because since my ordeal, four more persons from my agency have been
diagnosed with colorectal cancer. I don’t know if it is the water here
in Washington or what, and frequently, I am asked "what were your
symptoms?", so I know others are worried. I firmly believe that a
colonoscopy, a couple of years previously, would have detected the tumor
before it turned to cancer. A close friend and fellow pilot was inspired
from my experience, to have a colonoscopy, and two polyps were detected
and removed, well before the tumor stage. I did not know that colorectal
screening should be part of turning fifty. I think that there are many out
there who also do not know.
This then, is my purpose: to beat the drum loudly. Get
Screened! If anyone would like to talk about it to me personally, please
get in touch. I have acquired much information. Listed below are some web
sites that are very informative. Stay healthy.
National Cancer Institute www.nci.nih.gov
Harvard Center for Cancer Prevention www.hsph.harvard.edu/colonrisk
American Cancer Society www.cancer.org
