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More living to do

My husband and I were on a trip in Ireland in 2017 when I first noticed a spot of blood in my stool. When it became more pronounced in 2018, my family doctor referred me to a Toronto hospital for a colonoscopy.

The test revealed a tumor, and I was shocked when I received the news that I had rectal cancer. My first thought was, “What do we need to do next? I want this thing out of me.” Although I have had a full life, at 59 I felt I had more living to do. My children and husband also wanted a happy future with me.

More living to do

My husband and I were on a trip in Ireland in 2017 when I first noticed a spot of blood in my stool. When it became more pronounced in 2018, my family doctor referred me to a Toronto hospital for a colonoscopy.

The test revealed a tumor, and I was shocked when I received the news that I had rectal cancer. My first thought was, “What do we need to do next? I want this thing out of me.” Although I have had a full life, at 59 I felt I had more living to do. My children and husband also wanted a happy future with me.

I was referred to surgical oncologist Dr. Usmaan Hameed at North York General Hospital (NYGH) for treatment, and I soon had an appointment. Fortunately, Dr. Hameed is such a kind person and understands the anxiety a diagnosis causes. He walked me through the treatment, and took the time to answer all my questions, including providing percentages for recovery and recurrence. (I like math!)

My treatment began with radiation (at another hospital that had the equipment) and an oral chemotherapy pill, five days a week for two months. Following this treatment, imaging at NYGH showed the cancer was gone, and I was incredibly relieved!

Dr. Usmaan Hameed, surgical oncologist, North York General Hospital

Dr. Hameed let me know that since the treatment was so successful, I could either proceed with surgery or we could take an innovative non-operative management approach, which involved close monitoring every three months through a variety of procedures: colonoscopies, a flexible sigmoidoscopy (a similar procedure to the colonoscopy, but less intrusive), CT scans and MRI.

At the same time, because my cancer was identified at a later stage, chemotherapy was strongly recommended to help ensure the cancer didn’t spread to other areas of my body. Although I wasn’t keen on having to undergo this difficult treatment, I understood the importance of it, and the amazing chemotherapy nurses helped me though the experience, especially charge nurse Shabana Dhanji. During my weekly chemo sessions, the nurses would bring me whatever I needed, such as juice, snacks and blankets. Most importantly, though, they provided encouragement, which I really valued.

Thankfully, the cancer didn’t recur or spread and to this day I remain cancer free. l have imaging tests once a year for monitoring, and I still travel in to NYGH for my appointments even though I live in St. Catherines. I know I will be well cared for at NYGH and that I’ll always have a good chat with Dr. Hameed.

Now I’m working on getting to some of those activities I had in mind when I was first diagnosed and realized I have more living to do. I’m a wife, a mother, a traveler, a knitter, and a miniaturist (build miniature houses). I always have projects on the go, and I’m so grateful to NYGH that I can pursue them.

Laurie, a grateful patient

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