“Talk to your doctor whenever your 'normal' changes. DO NOT WAIT!”

Brenda Pletcher

Patient/Survivor |

Rectal - Stage III |

Age at Diagnosis: 55

After a couple of years suffering with constipation and diarrhea, I talked to my doctor during a diabetes check-up. He told me to take stool softeners. Three months later I complained again about bowel problems. He ordered a CT scan. The next morning he called me at 7:30am to say, ‘You have a mass in your colon. I am referring you to a colon surgeon at the James Cancer Center.’ I got an appointment fast and a colonoscopy the next day. The surgeon confirmed rectal cancer.

Published On: July 5, 2021

Brenda Pletcher

Patient/Survivor |

Rectal - Stage III |

Age at Diagnosis: 55

After a couple of years suffering with constipation and diarrhea, I talked to my doctor during a diabetes check-up. He told me to take stool softeners. Three months later I complained again about bowel problems. He ordered a CT scan. The next morning he called me at 7:30am to say, ‘You have a mass in your colon. I am referring you to a colon surgeon at the James Cancer Center.’ I got an appointment fast and a colonoscopy the next day. The surgeon confirmed rectal cancer.

“Talk to your doctor whenever your 'normal' changes. DO NOT WAIT!”

Brenda Pletcher

Patient/Survivor |

Rectal - Stage III |

Age at Diagnosis: 55

After a couple of years suffering with constipation and diarrhea, I talked to my doctor during a diabetes check-up. He told me to take stool softeners. Three months later I complained again about bowel problems. He ordered a CT scan. The next morning he called me at 7:30am to say, ‘You have a mass in your colon. I am referring you to a colon surgeon at the James Cancer Center.’ I got an appointment fast and a colonoscopy the next day. The surgeon confirmed rectal cancer.

“Talk to your doctor whenever your 'normal' changes. DO NOT WAIT!”

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