2.) Colon Cancer Treatment Begins

The pathology report confirmed the tumor was an adenocarcinoma. Appointments were made for me to see a Radiation Oncologist Dr. C, a Colorectal Surgeon Dr. M and a Medical Oncologist Dr. H. CT scans of chest/abdomen/pelvis and lots of blood tests were ordered. Once this ball starts rolling it picks up speed quickly. I met with the 3 cancer specialists on 4/7 one after the other. Dr. M performed an Endoscopic ultrasound to view the tumor from the inside. The procedure was odd in that they have you get in a strange position like being bent over a saw horse while they insert the probe for the ultrasound in your bum. It looks like a chrome plated vacuum cleaner tube. The doctor watched a video screen and spoke with a student with him, I asked to get a printout of the screen he was looking at. He made a brief attempt, couldn't get it to work and gave up. He was much more interested in the student with him then he was in giving attention to me. He had me quickly whisked across the hall back to another exam room while he stayed with the student. After some time passed he reappeared and described a plan of 28 treatments of Radiation ehile taking Chemotherapy followed by Resection Surgery with a temporary illiostomy. Then followup Chemotherapy and finally if all goes well reversal of the ostomy bag to restore normal anal function. It was a long day with a lot of information. If I had to give the day a one word descriptor it would be "Impersonal" All the attention I was given was directed at the cancer and very little to me as an individual.