David Turner

My journey with rectal cancer began in September 2005. I was having sharp pain at the bottom area of my spine, along with intermittent pain at both hips. It became uncomfortable to sit or lie down with the only relief coming when I stood up. I had a colonoscopy done, and my wife and I awaited the results.

After a week Debbe I received the news most people dread. The colonoscopy revealed a two-centimeter mass near the sphincter muscle, and the mass was cancerous. I was directed to a local hospital for follow-up and treatment.

The surgeon met with Debbe and I toward the end of the month in order to get the ball rolling. However, the radiation and oncology end of the treatment never got underway. One doctor was on vacation, while the other didn’t receive certain paper work. After a biopsy, the surgeon informed me that the physician who performed the colonoscopy was generous with his sizing of the mass. In a few short weeks, it had doubled to four centimeters in size!

Unlike the oncology and radiation physicians, this tumor was on a fast track, with me in its sights!!

I was scheduled for an MRI. I’ll never forget the call that told us the results. My surgeon called and informed me that the MRI showed the tumor had now penetrated the rectal wall and was likely engaging the prostate, which meant it was out of my surgeon’s expertise, and she felt uncomfortable with the operation.

When I hung up the phone and informed my wife, she immediately broke down. She, like me, realized that after a month, we were back at ground zero, only this time with a tumor at least twice its original size and rapidly growing.

It was at this point of my journey that God intervened …

Debbe, who’s also my wonderful caregiver, remembered seeing a Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) commercial during one of the soaps she watched during the day. She decided to give them a call for some information a few weeks prior to that Thursday. (I never thought I’d be thanking God for the soaps!!) Around 1:30 p.m. that same afternoon, a mere two hours or so after the heart-breaking news, we received a phone call from CTCA in Zion, Illinois. It “just happened” that someone had cancelled their appointment for that coming Monday, and they could fit me in, if I could make it out there!!!

Hind sight renders this opportunity as a “no brainer,” but, at the time, we were unsure how to proceed. We didn’t travel much, and a trip of 711 miles was a big step. The person at CTCA was extremely helpful and set up travel arrangements for my wife and I! It was obvious at that point how we should proceed.

Whirlwind is the only way I can describe the next few days. They went by in a blur. We were met at the train station by “Angel,” the stretch limo driver, who put us at ease and shared with us the ins and outs of CTCA as we were being chauffeured to the Country Inn where we would be staying.

There are no words to adequately describe the sense of love and hope we felt when we first entered CTCA. From the smiles on the faces of not only the employees, but also the patients, to the beautiful fish tank to the inspiring survivor tree, all emanate hope.

There comes a time in one’s life when one feels something special is about to happen. This feeling is very deep and personal, not unlike one’s relationship with God. That’s how I felt upon entering CTCA. I soon learned that my feelings were most certainly justified. The person who did that for me was my surgeon Dr. Sanchez.

We met with him late in the morning between surgeries. We gathered around a table as he fielded our questions with a calm, confident demeanor, rooted in his deep faith and conviction to walk with us on our journey, no matter where it led. After the final question, Debbe stood up and said, “I need a hug.” Dr. Sanchez said, “Me, too,” and proceeded to hug Debbe! It was what happened next that solidified for me the fact that God was with us. I shook Dr. Sanchez’s hand and thanked him for his time. He replied,” Don’t thank me, I am only an instrument in God’s hands; He deserves all the thanks.” At that point, peace and hope began to flood my heart, and I knew I had come to the right place. God was indeed there and working through the many wonderful and devoted people there.

I will also never forget the comment Dr. Levin, the oncologist, made when we set down to discuss treatment options. After deep contemplation and much chin rubbing, he looked over at Debbe and myself and then, with his beautiful sense of humor, said,” You just have a pain in the backside. Once Dr. Eden is done with radiation, it won’t be any bigger than your little finger’s fingernail!”

This is the confidence and assurance, along with the peace and hope, that set CTCA apart from all other institutions.

After radiation, and before surgery, I had another colonoscopy, so Dr. Sanchez would have a better idea of what he needed to remove. The tumor had shrunk … to the size of my little finger’s fingernail.

Add to these memories, Dr. Eden and his staff, especially Judy (lover of dark chocolate), pastoral care, mind/body medicine, naturopathy, the nutritionists, the cafeteria staff, etc. There are too many to name! All make CTCA, without a doubt, the most … Well, there are no words to express my gratitude toward everyone at CTCA. I thank God for everyone there, especially Mr. Stephenson, without whom none of this would have taken place. God bless you all!!

I am currently on a six-month check-up now. I’m blessed to have the check-ups in June (the Celebration of Life for cancer survivors) and December (the wonderful Christmas decorations). Everything is looking good on the cancer front. The only down side is that I miss my friends out there and think about them often.

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