Elwood Johnston

I was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in 2020. It was a fluke that I was diagnosed when I was 75 and the surgeon at Arnprior Hospital told me I did not require a colonoscopy or poop test. Fortunately when the new FIT came in they automatically sent me a test. I subsequently was diagnosed as positive. A follow up colonoscopy revealed stage 4 colon cancer. It was only 6 years since my last test. A portion of my ascending colon was removed along with 26 lymph nodes, 2 or which were cancerous. CT screening every six months identified a tumour in my lung which was removed late 2020. I was given 1 chemotherapy treatment but ended up in emergency where it was determined that I lacked the enzyme to break down the chemo treatment. I have had regular CT scans for lung and abdomen and CEA blood tests. I am 3 months into my 4th year of remission and technically cancer free. I’ve had two colonoscopies, one showed I was completely free of polyps and the second showed 5 polyps. I’m awaiting the biopsies with some concern. I enjoyed plenty of golf games in the last 3.3 years and hope to survive a few more at age 79.