Why are things are the way they are?

Photo credit: Emily Morter, Unsplash

As I sit here resting and recovering post round 2 of chemo I’ve been thinking a lot about other people. One of the things I didn’t know before this diagnosis was how many young people were coming down with colon cancer. The number isn’t trivial either. My own oncologist here in SF is treating 20 young women at or near my age. What’s worse is they don’t fit the typical unhealthy diet/lifestyle profile of someone younger who one would expect to get this. I am the profile.

So while the reality of what’s happening is scary enough, what’s scarier is how many people are being misdiagnosed, ignored, or deferred. My old boss has called me a couple times since the diagnosis because he too has a family history and is one of the lucky ones who gets to get screened early. Everyone knows the screening isn’t exactly a pretty process but I would rather be screened than in this situation.

It frustrates me that my own 36 year old brother had to go to his doctor and basically beg for a colonoscopy after I was diagnosed. The doctor kept saying “you’re not 50 yet” and he kept repeating “my 38 year old sister just got diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer.” It was only after the doctor looked up some exception which said to take the age of the closest relative and subtract 10 years that he got the doctor, and insurance, to approve it. Oh, and the kicker, they found 3 pre-cancerous polyps and removed them. These also weren’t your average polyp either, these were the flat serrated aggressive kind that I had that put me in my current situation. So once they found it the next battle was one for frequency in screening. Fortunately he was with us here in SF at the hospital when he got his results and had my team of doctors to help guide him on screening, and on where to go, so he’s switching doctors.

My friend Megan pointed me to an at home test called cologuard that you can now get. Insurance may or may cover it but the fact is something smaller and less intrusive does exist if you are worried about the drink. If you have someone in your family who has dealt with this and you are in the 10 year age range please do something. It’s not worth the risk to take your life in your hands. If you need to find a new doctor than do that. Your doctor should listen to you. If this experience helps anyone I sincerely hope it does. No one should have to go through this if they can avoid it, or if they can catch-it early and heal fast then that’s an even better outcome.

In any case, I know my blogs have been a bit few and far between lately but chemo is tiring man! Plus between the doctors appointments, naps, and my desire to see loved ones it’s been a bit challenging to keep the daily cadence. In any case, I wanted you all to know I am thinking about you.

For my industry friends going to Atlanta for ITW next week, have fun, have a drink on me and send pics, and stay sweaty. It’s going to be a hot one!

-Brynn