Dan “Drydock” Shockley

Story: "My first and only colonoscopy at age 51 revealed 100 polyps embedded throughout my colon, rectum, and anus. My certified genetic counselor immediately performed germline DNA testing to rule out the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) mutation. The test results revealed the APC confirming the diagnosis of attenuated familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Based on these findings, best practice of medicine was to undergo total proctocolectomy with ileostomy surgery, since any polyps left unattended have a 100% chance of developing into colorectal cancer. Successful surgery was performed two weeks after the diagnosis."

Advice: "When you have your colonoscopy, have a discussion with your family and medical team to better prepare yourself.

"My mindset is I tend not to think of things I'm unable to control such as medical conditions. What I can control is my positive attitude and after five decades on God’s green earth, my positive attitude has brought me this far: Why change now? My mantra is a positive spin on a bleak diagnosis: Always forge ahead with a purpose!"