Good Morning - Almost two years ago, upon awakening after my colonoscopy, I was told that they found a “suspicious mass” in my rectum that needed to be biopsied. Two days later, on a Friday afternoon, I received the call advising me that it was cancerous. My gastroenterologist recommended I find an oncologist and a colorectal surgeon, and recommended two. They turned out not to be the greatest, but everything worked out. In hindsight, my advice to myself and to you would be, immediately begin researching oncologists and colorectal surgeons and take the time necessary to find the best ones you can, that you feel in your gut are good. And, the most important part, DO NOT hesitate to get second opinions if you don’t feel 100% confident in your first choices and the plans they recommend for your treatment. In my case the first phase was chemotherapy, twelve cycles of Folfox. I then began additional research on my cancer, treatment options, pros and cons, and for me which ones offered the best Quality of Life outcomes. Determining what outcome is best is a very personal thing that you need to discuss with the important people in your life, and there are several alternatives which will help you determine which course of treatments you decide to follow. With a good team of doctors, colorectal cancer is manageable. Next month I will have my one-year follow up, second CT scan, the first was clear, and a colonoscopy. A year ago I had low anterior resection surgery to remove the adenocarcinoma tumor and some lymph nodes. I was very fortunate to have a wonderful surgeon who patiently guided me through the process and spent seven hours with me in surgery. So, here I am, feeling great and doing all the things I enjoy. A few weeks after my six-month CT scan I turned 79. You have control over the process and the people who you partner with. After a major disagreement with my first oncologist he said, “You’re the boss and I’m the doctor.” That was good, we were on the same page. Bottom line, you need to get to work. The more information you have the more confident you will feel that everything is going to work out for you. I wish you the very best in the journey ahead. P.S. Speaking of disagreements with treatment teams, I have a friend who was diagnosed with colorectal cancer and told she had two years to live. Four years later she’s living an active life doing the things she wants to do. It’s been a pretty rough road but she decided on the one she wanted to travel.