Corinne Hernandez

Corinne's story

I was diagnosed with stage IIa colorectal cancer during a routine colonoscopy January 2021. After the procedure was completed, and I was dressed, the nurse said the doctor would talk to me.

The doctor said two polyps were found and removed. And one "mass" that looked like cancer was found but couldn't be removed. The doctor said he notified my primary care doctor of the results and ordered a CT scan.

I felt shocked and numb hearing that. After I left the clinic, I got something to eat.

Later that day I got the phone calls to schedule a CT scan and meet with her primary care doctor. From that point on, it was a series of appointments, CT scan, PET scan, MRI, waiting for results, meeting with oncologist and surgeon. Resection surgery was February 2021.

I'm grateful to my surgeon and oncologist for getting me through this.

Signs and symptoms

No signs and symptoms.

Side effects

Side effects included fatigue, bowel irregularities, high blood pressure, and neuropathy.

Corinne's advice

Please don't be afraid. Thanks to my primary care doctor telling me to get a colonoscopy, I was diagnosed with stage IIa colorectal cancer, which was treated with surgery and treatment. My cancer was in the sigmoid. I was so lucky no bag required and cancer hadn't spread. The worst part of the colonoscopy is the prep. I have had three colonoscopy so far none have hurt.

Being a cancer patient is a roller coaster. The best way to cope is one appointment at time. Stay away from Google. Remember Google is based on general statistics; whereas, the advice/recommendations you receive from your doctor's is based on your specific case.

Once you are done with treatment and hear the wonderful word NED, give yourself grace. It takes time for our body to heal from surgery and treatment.