Colorectal Cancer: Donna's Survivor Story

What happened, in summary

Donna Marie Caruso, 70, began treatment for rectal cancer in November 2020, soon after retiring from a 30-year teaching career. Because colorectal cancer ran in her family, she had been careful about screening and credited colonoscopy with catching the cancer and saving her life. Donna and her wife moved closer to Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital before treatment started. Her doctors treated the rectal cancer with surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. A formal cancer stage, chemotherapy drug names and biomarker results were not specified. After surgery, Donna developed low anterior resection syndrome, a group of bowel symptoms that can happen after surgery on the left side of the colon or rectum when the sphincter and anus are preserved. She struggled with frequent bathroom needs, fecal incontinence, anxiety and difficulty leaving the house. Donna later joined a Cleveland Clinic support group for people with LARS. The group included a colorectal surgeon, nurse practitioner, biofeedback therapist, physical therapist and nutritionist, and helped patients ask difficult questions and manage symptoms. As of November 2025, Donna said she was much better. She remained positive, enjoyed walking and quilting, and hoped to return to cooking, hosting family gatherings and traveling in retirement.