Rusty's diagnoses began with a visit to the GI doc for abdominal pain, discomfort with bowel problems, and rectal bleeding, but also after a long battle with insurance to cover the colonoscopy. After the procedure, the physician sat down with Rusty & his wife, to say that he had removed 3 polyps, but also found a tumor in the colon; thus, sending him immediately down the street to an Oncologist.
Still not knowing what lies ahead and without much explanation from the Oncologist, they sat in a room that was lit up by windows & skylights, watching patients in lazyboys, with IV tubes in chest or arms, the nurse proceeded to show them a video about chemotherapy. The Onco told the nurse to setup appointments with the radiologist and a surgeon for the very next day! 2 days later Rusty had surgery for an IV port implanted under the skin in his upper chest area. The next week he learned quickly what it was for ! The Onco Nurse hooked up his chemo cadd pump for a Monday thru Friday 24 hour treatment.
After one week of chemo, radiation therapy was added to his protocol. Six months later the tumor was removed & Rusty awoke to find a colostomy bag on his stomach. Click here for the rest of my story. |
