Still lightly sedated and coming out of it,
“It looks like cancer!” What do we do NOW?
the Doctor brings us into his office and says…
In the latter part of 2018, I started noticing severe fatigue, a noticeable decline in motivation, and a waning interest in daily activities. Initially, I thought this might be due to low testosterone, which is not uncommon among those in military and first responder roles. My concern led me to explore Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) as early as 2018, as my symptoms progressively worsened. Surprisingly, a routine physical in October 2020 revealed that my testosterone levels were within the high normal range. Despite this, at only 35 years old, I reluctantly attributed these changes to the aging process.
1/5
By August 2021, during a year-long civilian deployment in Iraq, my health concerns grew. I began eating less, sometimes only one or two meals a day, and often I could only stomach half or a third of those meals before feeling nauseous. Although I initially attributed this to a conscious effort to improve my fitness and diet, the problem persisted through 2022. In March of that year, while still in Iraq, I fell severely ill, suffering from flu-like symptoms, vomiting, and a debilitating five-day migraine that had lingering effects for days afterward. This episode led to a CT scan of my head while in-country, which frustratingly but thankfully returned normal brain results. During this time, I was consuming Advil and Excedrin excessively to manage my migraine, which soon led to the first serious indication that something was amiss—I noticed blood in my stool, initially just a little, then significantly more. I immediately ceased taking the medications, knowing that this was a potential side effect of their overuse, and the issue with the bloody stool appeared to resolve itself.
2/5
The rest of 2022 was marked by repeated "flu" episodes, each accompanied by a three-to-five-day fever, migraine, vomiting, fatigue, and abdominal pain. After my deployment ended, I underwent a routine physical in October 2022, which uncovered iron anemia and low hemoglobin levels, suggesting an internal bleed and prompting a referral to a GI specialist.
Due to the backlog from COVID-19, most GI doctors were booking appointments five to six months out. I contacted four doctors, and the earliest appointment I could get was for February 24, 2023, nearly 4 months later. However, my wife Tiffany managed to get a consultation scheduled in November 2022 with a doctor about an hour and 15 minutes away from our home. The doctor suspected an ulcer and ordered an upper endoscopy and colonoscopy. On December 1, these procedures revealed an obstructive tumor in the splenic flexure area of my colon. By December 8, further diagnostic tests, including a CT scan, site biopsy results, and a CEA blood test, confirmed colon cancer, BRAF V600E, suggesting lymph node and peritoneal spread (Stage IV) and a less than 13% survival rate within five years.
3/5
We immediately sought the expertise of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. My wife Tiffany contacted them, and within minutes of our call, they accepted my case and scheduled an appointment for December 19, just nine days later. We traveled to Rochester, navigating potential winter travel disruptions, and arrived for what would be a pivotal consultation.
The Mayo Clinic experience was profoundly impactful. During our stay, I met with a team of specialists who meticulously planned the surgical and treatment strategy. On January 13, 2023, the surgery revealed no visible peritoneal spread, downgrading the diagnosis to Stage III. The surgery involved the removal of 18 inches of my colon, including a softball-sized tumor and a branch of 36 lymph nodes.
Following surgery, I began a CAPOX chemotherapy regimen, which involves cycles of treatment spread over three weeks. Despite the rigors of treatment, and days when I felt close to giving up, I remained committed. A post-surgery/chemo colonoscopy conducted on July 27, 2023, showed no further polyps or tumors.
4/5
My ongoing monitoring includes 6-month CT scans, additional colonoscopies, and quarterly circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) tests until at least 2028.
Looking back, I realize how critical my primary care provider, Physician Assistant Rebecca Lynard, was in saving my life. In contrast to the often formulaic approach often encountered in healthcare, her proactive, attentive care allowed for timely intervention, which undoubtedly changed the course of my illness. I think back regularly about how the course of this journey may have had a completely different outlook should my primary care provider have suggested I take iron supplements for 6 months and return for a follow-up blood test. This journey has not only been a testament to personal resilience on my family's part but also to the indispensable value of regular medical visits, thorough, and responsive medical care.
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5/5
Who are we?
Cory
Founder
Cory, a South Florida native, joined the US Coast Guard in early 2006. His military service took him to Virginia, Connecticut, and back to Miami, FL, for his final tour. In the summer of 2014, Cory left the Coast Guard to pursue new opportunities outside of the armed forces. He returned to school to complete his degree in Finance and graduated before embarking on a career in Northern Virginia. It was there in Northern Virginia (NOVA) that he met his future wife, Tiffany. Since the end of 2015, the couple has enjoyed exploring the United States together, taking road trips to some of the most beautiful places the country has to offer. They got married in September 2022 and welcomed their first child a year later. This journey together has deepened their desire to assist others facing similar challenges, providing support and relief during their battles.
Tiffany
Founder
Tiffany is Cory’s wife and biggest advocate. She grew up in central Maryland, and later moved to Northern VA. Tiffany has over a decade experience in healthcare between her services in dentistry, public health and as a volunteer EMT. My formal education was complete in Massachusetts at Mount Ida College, The University of Maryland and with Loudoun County Fire and Rescue. My greatest accomplishment thus far is becoming a mother to our loving daughter. After experiencing the impact of cancer within our family, I’ve cultivated a deepening love and curiosity for understanding the foods we consume, holistic living and sustainable practices.
Board of directors
Pending.
