The Dark, Long and Winding Road…Dominic Loccisano’s Story

I would like to thank Colorectal Cancer Canada (CCC) for their ongoing help in my journey. I am not sure where I would be today without them. I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in December 2006. I had surgery to remove the tumour along with radiation and six months of chemo. In 2012, I was diagnosed with a tumour the size of a lemon in my liver. Not surprisingly, I was disappointed and scared not knowing what this prognosis would mean to me, my wife, and my children. I called CCC and was instantly greeted with their enthusiasm, knowledge and confidence. They have been in my corner ever since. They have been my guiding light and are always there for me when I call for information, clarification, and assistance. The contacts, information meetings, and referrals they have provided throughout this long journey have been so helpful and are the reason for me being here today with my family.

I had a liver resection performed by a great liver surgeon, Dr. Calvin Law, at Sunnybrook in 2012 which was a success in eradicating the liver metastases to this day. Unfortunately, in 2016 I was diagnosed with a metastatic tumour in my pelvic bone which had penetrated my bone via a lymph node. Most recently, I had a tumour diagnosed in my spine at the 4th and 5th vertebrae. I had emergency surgery where a spinal cord decompression was performed, followed by 5 rounds of radiation. Since 2012, Dr. Yoo-Joung Ko at Sunnybrook, my chemo doctor, has been following up with CT scans every three months. I thank him for his kindness and continued support. Dr. William Chu and Dr. Sten Myrehaug have performed the radiation and deserve my gratitude for their kindness, help, and continued support. I continue to be monitored with CT scans with the hope that this cancer can be contained, and I pray for eradication. The hope and support come first and foremost from family, CCC, and the great doctors that have treated me and those who continue to monitor me throughout this journey. CCC has made this all possible for me. It has been and continues to be a long and winding road but with the constant and unwavering support of CCC, I face each day with courage and confidence, knowing I have them by my side.

If you have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, I urge you to contact CCC. It will be the best decision you make – you will never feel alone or lost when going down that dark, long and winding road.

Sincerely,
Dominic Loccisano