Health was always an important part of my family’s life.
My mother teaches it and my father Steven has been an avid
power - lifter for more than 40 years. In fact, some of
my earliest childhood memories of my father include lifting
weights in his home gym.
At age 57, he was in great shape physically. Strong, broad
and handsome, he looked years younger than his age. Recently
retired, he spent hours working out and keeping fit.
During a routine checkup, a doctor encouraged my father
to schedule a colonoscopy. This test examines the colon
and small bowel. It looks for abnormalities such as polyps
that could turn cancerous.
Doctors discovered a small malignant tumor in his rectum.
On my 23rd birthday, my father was diagnosed with colorectal
cancer. Doctors determined the cancer was in Stage1– the
earliest form. The best course of action would be colon
resection surgery. Doctors would take out the affected piece
of colon and a surrounding area. If all went well, he would
be back on his feet in six weeks.
Fortunately, my father’s cancer was detected in the early
stages. It speaks volumes of the importance of early detection
that prevented him from needing chemotherapy or radiation
therapy. Had he gone for a colonoscopy a few years earlier,
his tumor would have been a benign polyp and this ordeal
would not have occurred. Polyps are removed through a non-surgical
procedure during the colonoscopy.
Eighteen inches of intestine and part of the rectum were
removed and the surgery was considered successful. My family
breathed a sigh of relief that the cancer was gone, but
his medical woes continued. |
Four days into his recovery
complications forced him back into surgery. A hole was found
in his intestine causing digestive fluids to leak into his
abdominal cavity, a potentially deadly condition called
peritonitis.
In order to allow his intestines to heal, my father was
outfitted with an ileostomy bag. This bag is fit externally
on the abdomen to collect waste so nothing can pass through
the injured intestine.
For the first time in my life, I saw my Dad not as a muscular
and strong man, but fragile. I watched him struggle to walk
the halls of the hospital. I saw his frustration at his
inability to complete the simplest tasks. I remember sitting
in the hospital knowing that the only strength in the room
was my mother’s, who stayed by his side every step of the
way. She helped him physically and mentally, (with the aid
of my brother Adam and me) encouraging and motivating him
to work towards recovery.
After weeks in the hospital, my father returned home, minus
25 pounds, looking thin and sickly. He was hardly recognizable.
His once strong, muscular frame seemed small and frail.
His face was gaunt and sad. It was frightening to see the
change. This once energetic man now spent much of his time
resting in bed, lacking energy to move. After all, his 57-year
old body suffered serious trauma.
Six months after the ileostomy was fitted, my father underwent surgery to
reverse this process. After seven long, slow, months, he
was cancer-free and his intestines had healed enough to
be able to use his digestive track without the aid of modern
medicine. |
It is through the power of exercise that my father began
his journey of recovery. He began slowly, walking each day
and increasing his distance. When he felt ready, my father
began lifting weights. The next few months he slowly increased
his workouts – more repetitions, heavier weight and more
cardio. In only four months, he was able to bench press
155 pounds, a feat for anyone who recently underwent three
major surgeries. Gone was the skinny frame and gaunt face.
In its place was a strong and healthy man.
Now, two years after his cancer diagnosis my father feels
like his old self again. He still spends hours working out
and building his strength (he can bench press 300 pounds
these days) – but this time, it’s not out of necessity,
but as the hobby he has loved for four decades – the hobby
that brought my father back after winning a battle with
cancer.
Colorectal cancer is the second most deadly cancer in the
United States. According to the American Cancer Society,
55,000 people in the nation will die from this disease in
2007. In 2005, 150,000 people were diagnosed. This cancer
is preventable. Lives such as my father’s are saved through
early detection, but most Americans are not getting tested.
The American Cancer Society recommends testing for colorectal
cancer beginning at age 50. I will never forget the suffering
my dad went through and his incredibly brave fight to fully
recover. The problem may have been avoided if he had been
tested earlier. I encourage everyone to be proactive and
get tested. Early detection can save lives! |