Matt "Woody" Woodworth -
by Matt Woodworth
My name is Matt Woodworth, I am 47 years old from Ames, IA.
I have a wife, Melissa. Two Daughters, Kelsey and Clove. Two sons, Jake and Harrison. Two grandchildren, Oliver, and Vivian. I have parents, sisters, cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, in-laws, thousands of friends, and all other personal connections that go along with LIFE. I am brutally average. I also was diagnosed with Colon Cancer at 45 years old.
My story NOW seems to fall into place fairly organized, this is due to the benefit of “hindsight” However, two years ago it was a jumbled mess of a story, which at times didn't make any sense, seemed unfair, and was very overwhelming. I am not sure when it REALLY all started. However, in the spring of 2011, I felt exhausted all the time. BUT... I was the father of 4, 2 college students, and 2 middle schoolers, the new grandparent of a 1year old. I was leaving one job abruptly, and starting a new job in a few weeks... Why wouldn't I be tired, right? So, like most families who are really busy... we decided to have a garage sale... Due to being between jobs, I got to be the “mover” for all garage sale items. The pain started pretty dull in my lower rt. side and just sort of nagged at me for most of the Friday of garage sale set up. I diagnosed myself as having pulled a stomach muscle, and kept on moving. By Sat. morning the pain had escalated, but nothing some Ibuprofen didn’t take care of. IT RAINED! We had to move all garage sale stuff inside the garage, weird how garage sales sometimes aren’t in a garage at all???
By now my pain was at a 10... Someone said, “Hey it might be your appendix?” I said.. I think i'm going to the emergency room. I walked into the ER and announced that I had a pulled muscle in my stomach, the ER Dr. said.. “ or maybe your appendix is the problem??? We went back and forth, while I was headed to have a CT scan of my abdomen... While I relaxed a bit during and after the scan, the pain faded a bit while waiting for the test results. The Dr. came in and said “ well, we are both wrong” You have a twisted Appendage on the outside of your colon... He explained That these are small finger like appendages on the colon, and one of mine had twisted, and was making all the pain. He explained that it's a bit uncommon, but not crazy uncommon... He said the pain will subside over the next few days, take ibuprofen and let him know if I'm feeling fine in 48 hrs. Just as he explained... within a day or two I had no pain at all... Again, only due to hindsight, does this story make any sense. The one thing my ER Dr. added was... You need to make an appt. with your primary Dr. in the next few weeks... just to make sure all is well... Genius!
So, the next week I made an appt. with my regular Dr. who got me in within 2 weeks. We decided to just move ahead and do a full physical, so the morning of the appt. I stopped in gave my blood, and came back in the afternoon for the checkup... We talked about my ER visit a few weeks earlier, and no flags popped up. He already had my blood work results from the morning, and said all looked normal except one thing.... My iron was unusually low. He didn't feel any of this was connected, but along with being a bit tired I should have a colonoscopy and endoscopy just to be sure I am not bleeding internally??? Genius!
So, the next week I made an appt. with the gastroenterology dept. for a few weeks later to check out my insides... During my colonoscopy the Dr. found a golf ball size tumor in the lower rt. portion of my colon the tumor was large enough that it was pulling on the inner wall of my colon and had caused the Appendage on the outside to twist, However the only word my wife and I heard was ... CANCER!
This is where the story starts to move pretty fast. The Diagnosis was a kick in the gut... Literally! However, no one stopped to take their time. Everyone jumped forward, and into action. Within 48 hr. I was on an operating table having the rt. lower portion of my colon removed. During the surgery 21 lymph nodes where also removed, and my liver was visually inspected by the Dr. Within 48hrs. of the surgery, and before a long 4th of July weekend... We had all test results back and had formulated a plan for my recovery. I had stage 3 colon cancer... Stage 3 because 1 of the 21 lymphnods that was removed had cancer cells in it. I met my oncologist while still in the hospital recovering from surgery. He explained that the surgery to remove the portion of my colon with the tumor in it was my treatment, but because the cancer had moved into my lymph system, we would back that treatment up with chemotherapy treatment. This would better my chances of a full cure... I went home on the 3rd of July. Before I was released my oncologist asked about my family history... with regard to colon health, because some things didnt add up in his mind. My age, how large the tumor was... it just seemed a little
off to him... Genius!
While recovering from surgery, My oncologist suggested we meet with a genetic specialist. Due to some family history, on my mothers side,we met with the staff at the Cancer research center. My Dr. sent samples to be tested for different colorectal syndroms, but everything came back negative. This is good news! But something was still not adding up? One day my father and I were talking, and he mentioned that his bi-annual colonoscopy was due. He also mentioned that in the bast 5 years or so he has had positive for polyps tests. I then mentioned this information to my Dr. and immediately asked if my dad would let him look at his medical history. My dad met with my Dr. and the staff in the genetic education center. He had a blood sample taken and sent off to a genetic lab for testing. The test came back positive for a genetic flaw in his DNA known as AFAP. AFAP is a genetic DNA flaw that causes his body to produce polyps in his colon. These polyps will grow faster than in other people, and will become cancerous tumors if not removed. Once my dad tested positive, then I was tested, and was found to also be positive for AFAP. So, We came along way! What started as a side ache came all the way around to a massive emailing chain with my fathers side of my family tree, encouraging them all to go get colonoscopys… A friend told me early on… “I would save some lives with my diagnosis” I didn’t realize he meant people in my own family. Since last fall my dad has had part of his colon removed… before he showed any signs of cancer, my daughter will now be monitored for her life, so she will never have any surprises … like I had! Many other relatives are now educated on their own history, and health so they can be monitored regularly. On Aug. 3rd 2011 my wife and I walked into a cancer treatment center for my 1st chemo therapy treatment. We were scared and numb by the events of the previous few months. The staff literally met us at the door, and held our hands through every step. We were thoroughly, and comprehensively educated on exactly what was going on at all times during my treatment. We came every 2 weeks for 6 months… Each treatment we were explained in detail what was going to happen, nothing was ever taken for granite… At the same time we were treated almost as family, with a smile, and a kind word from every person we came into contact with. This cancer center, to me and my family is truly a sacred place. When first diagnosed we researched everything we could about colon cancer, and treatments. My oncologist explained what Chemo treatment would be best for me. As we explored every option, we quickly understood that the best option for care was only 6 blocks from our house. Everything they told us made perfect sense and followed the same protocol that every other cancer center in the world was suggesting for treatment. We found the correct treatment, we found the cause of the problem, we were educated, and have helped educate and save others. When I was asked to tell my “survivors” story, I was honored and humbled all at the same time. Honored- due to being called a Survivor, and Humbled- due to all the people who have walked this path before me. Thank you very much for listening to my story. Educate yourself on your family health history, and get a colonoscopy as early in life as possible. The next two sayings are not a cliché…. LISTEN TO YOUR BODY, and EARLY DETECTION, REALLY DOES SAVE LIVES!
My name is Matt Woodworth, I am 47 years old from Ames, IA.
I have a wife, Melissa. Two Daughters, Kelsey and Clove. Two sons, Jake and Harrison. Two grandchildren, Oliver, and Vivian. I have parents, sisters, cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, in-laws, thousands of friends, and all other personal connections that go along with LIFE. I am brutally average. I also was diagnosed with Colon Cancer at 45 years old.
My story NOW seems to fall into place fairly organized, this is due to the benefit of “hindsight” However, two years ago it was a jumbled mess of a story, which at times didn't make any sense, seemed unfair, and was very overwhelming. I am not sure when it REALLY all started. However, in the spring of 2011, I felt exhausted all the time. BUT... I was the father of 4, 2 college students, and 2 middle schoolers, the new grandparent of a 1year old. I was leaving one job abruptly, and starting a new job in a few weeks... Why wouldn't I be tired, right? So, like most families who are really busy... we decided to have a garage sale... Due to being between jobs, I got to be the “mover” for all garage sale items. The pain started pretty dull in my lower rt. side and just sort of nagged at me for most of the Friday of garage sale set up. I diagnosed myself as having pulled a stomach muscle, and kept on moving. By Sat. morning the pain had escalated, but nothing some Ibuprofen didn’t take care of. IT RAINED! We had to move all garage sale stuff inside the garage, weird how garage sales sometimes aren’t in a garage at all???
By now my pain was at a 10... Someone said, “Hey it might be your appendix?” I said.. I think i'm going to the emergency room. I walked into the ER and announced that I had a pulled muscle in my stomach, the ER Dr. said.. “ or maybe your appendix is the problem??? We went back and forth, while I was headed to have a CT scan of my abdomen... While I relaxed a bit during and after the scan, the pain faded a bit while waiting for the test results. The Dr. came in and said “ well, we are both wrong” You have a twisted Appendage on the outside of your colon... He explained That these are small finger like appendages on the colon, and one of mine had twisted, and was making all the pain. He explained that it's a bit uncommon, but not crazy uncommon... He said the pain will subside over the next few days, take ibuprofen and let him know if I'm feeling fine in 48 hrs. Just as he explained... within a day or two I had no pain at all... Again, only due to hindsight, does this story make any sense. The one thing my ER Dr. added was... You need to make an appt. with your primary Dr. in the next few weeks... just to make sure all is well... Genius!
So, the next week I made an appt. with my regular Dr. who got me in within 2 weeks. We decided to just move ahead and do a full physical, so the morning of the appt. I stopped in gave my blood, and came back in the afternoon for the checkup... We talked about my ER visit a few weeks earlier, and no flags popped up. He already had my blood work results from the morning, and said all looked normal except one thing.... My iron was unusually low. He didn't feel any of this was connected, but along with being a bit tired I should have a colonoscopy and endoscopy just to be sure I am not bleeding internally??? Genius!
So, the next week I made an appt. with the gastroenterology dept. for a few weeks later to check out my insides... During my colonoscopy the Dr. found a golf ball size tumor in the lower rt. portion of my colon the tumor was large enough that it was pulling on the inner wall of my colon and had caused the Appendage on the outside to twist, However the only word my wife and I heard was ... CANCER!
This is where the story starts to move pretty fast. The Diagnosis was a kick in the gut... Literally! However, no one stopped to take their time. Everyone jumped forward, and into action. Within 48 hr. I was on an operating table having the rt. lower portion of my colon removed. During the surgery 21 lymph nodes where also removed, and my liver was visually inspected by the Dr. Within 48hrs. of the surgery, and before a long 4th of July weekend... We had all test results back and had formulated a plan for my recovery. I had stage 3 colon cancer... Stage 3 because 1 of the 21 lymphnods that was removed had cancer cells in it. I met my oncologist while still in the hospital recovering from surgery. He explained that the surgery to remove the portion of my colon with the tumor in it was my treatment, but because the cancer had moved into my lymph system, we would back that treatment up with chemotherapy treatment. This would better my chances of a full cure... I went home on the 3rd of July. Before I was released my oncologist asked about my family history... with regard to colon health, because some things didnt add up in his mind. My age, how large the tumor was... it just seemed a little
off to him... Genius!
While recovering from surgery, My oncologist suggested we meet with a genetic specialist. Due to some family history, on my mothers side,we met with the staff at the Cancer research center. My Dr. sent samples to be tested for different colorectal syndroms, but everything came back negative. This is good news! But something was still not adding up? One day my father and I were talking, and he mentioned that his bi-annual colonoscopy was due. He also mentioned that in the bast 5 years or so he has had positive for polyps tests. I then mentioned this information to my Dr. and immediately asked if my dad would let him look at his medical history. My dad met with my Dr. and the staff in the genetic education center. He had a blood sample taken and sent off to a genetic lab for testing. The test came back positive for a genetic flaw in his DNA known as AFAP. AFAP is a genetic DNA flaw that causes his body to produce polyps in his colon. These polyps will grow faster than in other people, and will become cancerous tumors if not removed. Once my dad tested positive, then I was tested, and was found to also be positive for AFAP. So, We came along way! What started as a side ache came all the way around to a massive emailing chain with my fathers side of my family tree, encouraging them all to go get colonoscopys… A friend told me early on… “I would save some lives with my diagnosis” I didn’t realize he meant people in my own family. Since last fall my dad has had part of his colon removed… before he showed any signs of cancer, my daughter will now be monitored for her life, so she will never have any surprises … like I had! Many other relatives are now educated on their own history, and health so they can be monitored regularly. On Aug. 3rd 2011 my wife and I walked into a cancer treatment center for my 1st chemo therapy treatment. We were scared and numb by the events of the previous few months. The staff literally met us at the door, and held our hands through every step. We were thoroughly, and comprehensively educated on exactly what was going on at all times during my treatment. We came every 2 weeks for 6 months… Each treatment we were explained in detail what was going to happen, nothing was ever taken for granite… At the same time we were treated almost as family, with a smile, and a kind word from every person we came into contact with. This cancer center, to me and my family is truly a sacred place. When first diagnosed we researched everything we could about colon cancer, and treatments. My oncologist explained what Chemo treatment would be best for me. As we explored every option, we quickly understood that the best option for care was only 6 blocks from our house. Everything they told us made perfect sense and followed the same protocol that every other cancer center in the world was suggesting for treatment. We found the correct treatment, we found the cause of the problem, we were educated, and have helped educate and save others. When I was asked to tell my “survivors” story, I was honored and humbled all at the same time. Honored- due to being called a Survivor, and Humbled- due to all the people who have walked this path before me. Thank you very much for listening to my story. Educate yourself on your family health history, and get a colonoscopy as early in life as possible. The next two sayings are not a cliché…. LISTEN TO YOUR BODY, and EARLY DETECTION, REALLY DOES SAVE LIVES!
