Colorectal Cancer: Cattie's Patient Story
This colorectal cancer diagnosis at a glance
- Sex
- Female
- Treatment
- surgery and chemotherapy
- Outcome
- Responding Well
Treatment course, step by step
- After an emergency CT showed a rectal mass, a liver mass, and lung nodules, Cattie underwent emergency surgery that created a temporary colostomy.
- A chemotherapy port was placed.
- She then started chemotherapy, and her most recent scans showed that treatment was effective.
What happened, in summary
Cattie Fleming had intermittent rectal bleeding for years, and the symptom was repeatedly attributed to hemorrhoids. During and after her second pregnancy, her symptoms became more intense. She experienced severe fatigue, constipation, irregular and narrowing bowel movements, lower back pain, and a persistent feeling that she could not fully empty her bowels.
After gynecologic evaluation did not find an explanation, Cattie saw a gastroenterologist and was scheduled for a colonoscopy months later. Before that appointment arrived, her symptoms became unbearable and she went to the emergency room. A CT scan showed a mass in her rectum, a mass in her liver, and nodules in her lungs. Within 12 hours, she underwent emergency surgery that resulted in a temporary colostomy, and a chemotherapy port was placed.
Cattie then began chemotherapy. Her most recent scans showed that the treatment was effective. Her experience reinforced the importance of continuing to seek answers when symptoms persist, especially when caring for young children can make it difficult to prioritize personal health.
Where this story comes from
This is a lay summary of an account first published by Fight Colorectal Cancer. Read the original in full
How we source and attribute stories Accuracy and limitations
These are lay summaries of published cancer stories, for information only. No two cancers behave the same way, and nothing here predicts your own diagnosis or replaces advice from your oncology team. Read the full disclaimer