Winnie Bowe Ray Survived Colon Cancer

I SURVIVED COLON CANCER

by Winnie Bowe Ray

Looking back in the past is so difficult because it brings back so many negative memories. This is the first time that I am publicly sharing my story in hopes that you will advocate for your body.

My best recollection of anything that could have been remotely connected to my cancer journey was when I had my 45th birthday checkup with my OB-GYN. The minimal presence of blood was assumed to be related to a childbirth related hemorrhoid. There were no other symptoms or reasons for concern back in 2003. A few years later in May 2006, a co-worker mentioned that her hemorrhoid started bleeding while she was in a meeting. Her primary physician recommended a colonoscopy to determine the cause and status. The similarities in our situations with a hemorrhoid nudged me to volunteer to have a “buddy colonoscopy”. However, the gastroenterologist informed me that since I was only 48 and had no symptoms, it was unlikely that the procedure would be covered by insurance. For an unknown reason, I dug my heels in and said I would do it anyway.

My friend and I both had the colonoscopies, and she got her results almost immediately. We both celebrated the fact that all went well, and she’d likely never have any bleeding again. Since I was confident I was fine, I never worried about my results. Approximately two weeks later, it occurred to me that I had never gotten my update from the doctor, so I contacted his office only to learn he was on vacation. When asked why my friend had gotten her results and I hadn’t, I was told that the doctor wanted to speak with me. I recall smirking and thinking it was likely about the insurance coverage. Here we go.

A couple days later on June 14, the doctor contacted me at my office, and he asked if I was alone. In a matter of fact tone, he told me that he had found a malignant tumor in the sigmoid section of my colon. At that moment, I truly wished I could recall the difference between malignant and benign, but I was so confused, overwhelmed, and scared that I didn’t know the difference. My clearest recollection of that moment is turning in my chair in The James Center, Richmond, VA, and looking toward Kanawha Plaza Park, and thinking, “I am going to die.”

It felt like a long pause until the doctor asked if I had a surgeon. I explained that I never needed one before, but I would look into it. I asked him what the surgeon needed to do, and he explained that he was unsure beyond the tumor removal, but I needed to meet with my family and begin the process immediately. Fortunately for me, and the love of family and friends, I established a relationship with a surgeon who categorized and staged my colorectal cancer, and scheduled my surgery for a month later. Most of the longer-term decisions would be finalized after the surgery.

The interim month until my surgery was almost like an out of body experience. Most of my co-workers avoided me simply because they felt helpless and sorry for me. I was very sad and concerned for my daughter’s future so I started praying and negotiating with God. I truly wanted to see her graduate from college in 2009, but if I made it to that…maybe He would bless me with her marriage…and maybe PLEASE God, can I see a grandchild?

Fortunately, July 21, 2006 came soon enough, but unfortunately surgery was delayed to July 27. Ironically, the 21st was my Mom’s birthday, and the 27th was my late Dad’s birthday. Surely, that was God and Daddy sending me a message. The surgery went well. Approximately eighteen inches of the sigmoid section of my colon was affected by the cancer. The resection of my colon successfully removed all of the cancer and provided me with safe margins, since the cancer was fully contained within the colon. The remaining stay in the hospital was a stressful time, until the last day when I was told that all of the cancer was removed. Going forward I would need to diligently monitor my colon for new polyps.

On the trip home from the hospital, it occurred to me that I had never appreciated how beautiful our lawn or the crepe myrtles were; I needed to fix that. I needed to change my life to be an even better person than before. During my first six months post-surgery, I worried that I needed more treatment than the surgery, so my doctors worked with sigmoidoscopies to assure me that I was going to be okay. After that, I required colonoscopies every year, while sometimes finding precancerous polyps. Finally, in 2016, when finding no polyps, I was told that I could skip 5 years before the next colonoscopy.

After 4 years of no testing, I panicked that we were waiting too long and I contacted my gastroenterologist to request one immediately. During that scanning, he spotted a benign cyst on my liver. As a result, I’m now required to have an annual scan of my liver going forward, along with a colonoscopy every four years.

Despite the tough times, I am forever thankful for my life, and especially my fifteen years of survivorship. God delivered my daughter’s graduation, she married the love of her life, and I am now blessed with three granddaughters, just like I prayed for, and more. All things are possible, if you only believe; one day at a time.

Lastly, here’s to being brave enough to understand that we each know our bodies far better than any doctor, family member, or friend. If you sense something is off with your body, or it just needs to be checked, follow your instinct. Your Body Is A Temple. Early detection of cancer saves lives.