Lori Rompolski

Lori's story

After six months of visiting doctors for buttock and leg pain, as well as rectal pain, gas, constipation, and bloating, I was finally referred to a GI where I was scheduled for an upper and lower scope (colonoscopy) for what they thought was internal hemorrhoids.

My colonoscopy was not completed because the doctor was unable to get the scope past the rectal mass. My scope was August 22, 2022, I awoke from the sedation only to hear the doctor told me I had rectal cancer.

Diagnostic tests were performed, and I was referred to oncology for chemo. I was told from day one I was not a surgical candidate. Next week will be chemo number 30!

Signs and symptoms

Signs and symptoms included rectal bleeding or blood in stool, ongoing change in bowel habits, narrow stools, stomach cramps/bloating/fullness, fatigue, and unable to have a bowel movement (bowel obstruction) or constipation.

Side effects

Side effects include fatigue, mouth sores, secondary cancer(s), neuropathy, hand-foot syndrome, skin rashes (skin toxicity, chemo rash), and distress or mental health issues/illness.

Lori's advice

Colonoscopies save lives. Please don't hesitate.

Just keep going strong #KGS.

Take care of yourself both physically and emotionally.