In 2013 I was diagnosed with colon cancer. I was thirty-six years old at the time and colon cancer was definitely not on my radar. Screenings for colon cancer usually start around age fifty, so I had another fourteen years before I would be tested. I didn’t know anyone in my family who had it. So I was surprised to say the least. When I went to my family doctor to check things out, I was expecting her to tell me I had a hemorrhoid and that was it. But my doctor likes to be 100% certain. So she sent me to a gastroenterologist, who did a full colonoscopy, and told me not to worry because I didn’t have any of the risk factors for colon cancer. So when she called me and told me I’d have to come in to the office and bring a family member with me, I already knew the answer. It was cancer. I didn’t know details. But I had colon cancer. The Saibil clan went into operation mode, and we did what needed to be done. I went to see a surgeon who wanted to laparoscopically take out a twoonie-sized piece of my colon, which is exactly what he did. I felt safe in his hands. Not only was he an incredibly gifted surgeon, he was also gentle and compassionate. He took the time to walk me through the steps, answer any questions, and ensure me that I wasn’t going anywhere on his watch. The surgery went well, I’ve had two follow-up check-ups, and I’m still cancer free. But when I got those first results after my first follow-up appointment when the doctor told me that he got it all, THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING!
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