The life story of Doris Bick - Former colon cancer patient recounts her ordeal |09 March 2018

Colorectal cancer is a cancer that starts in the colon or the rectum, both of which make up the large intestine which is part of the digestive system. These cancers can also be named colon cancer or rectal cancer, depending on where they start.

Most colorectal cancers start as a growth, called polyps, on the inner lining of the colon or rectum. Some types of polyps can change into cancer over time (usually many years), but not all polyps become cancer. The chance of a polyp changing into cancer depends on the type of polyp it is (ACS).

In 2010, Doris Bick was diagnosed with colon cancer when she was just over 50 years old. The Seychelles NATION spoke to Doris to learn more about her cancer diagnosis, the effects on her life and how she managed to make a full recovery.

Q: What symptoms did you notice prior to your diagnosis?

A:  My symptoms started to show 2 or 3 years before I was actually diagnosed. I noticed that there was a little bit of blood passing with my stool. At times it would be drops of blood and sometimes I could see more blood. This was the only symptom I was aware of.

Q: What happened after you started noticing the blood?

A: I went to see a doctor and was given antibiotics. However the symptom recurred and I went back to the doctor who gave me something stronger, but I could still see blood in my stool. I then had the same experience with another doctor following which I saw a third doctor who gave me some medicine and asked me to come back to see a specialist if the problem persists.

I kept seeing the blood so I had to go back and see the specialist, although I had to wait a while before I could get the appointment. Prior to seeing the specialist, another doctor did a physical examination on me, after which she told me “it looks very bad”. She organised for me to have a colonoscopy and thereafter the specialist diagnosed me with colon cancer.

When I heard this, I was expecting the worst based on the recurrence of the blood and the way the doctor had informed me. I cried when I broke the news to my kids.

There was a polyp in my large intestine which they removed instantly but there was also a tumour in the lower area which was in a later stage and so I had to go for further treatment in Chennai, India, where I would be for the next 3 months.

My only worry at the time was the travelling. Having the treatment here would have been easier for me, but I am grateful that I had the opportunity to go there as it could not be done in Seychelles.

Q: Do you have any idea as to the possible causes?

A: I later found out that one of my aunties had colon cancer so it is possible that it is hereditary. Also, I did not know how to live a healthy lifestyle when I was younger; I do not remember drinking a lot of water and rather only drank when I was thirsty. I also consumed a lot of meat and sugary foods which could also have had an impact.

Q: Tell us about the treatments you underwent in India?

A: I had all the necessary tests done and at first they said I would only need radiotherapy but after a while another doctor said that I would require a colostomy bag as they needed to divert the faeces. 

Two days later another doctor said that they had studied my case and I did not need to have the colostomy bag as they could operate on the affected area. So I had the operation which was short, about half an hour, and after one day I was put on the normal ward where I had to continue with radiotherapy.

Radiotherapy concentrates laser treatment directly onto the tumour. This made the affected area feel strange and as a result, I also had alternating bouts of diarrhoea and constipation afterwards. To this day, I cannot sit comfortably on anything hard. 

I also started having chemotherapy. The treatment was inserted into an area at the top of my chest and at first this was given to me continuously for a period of 3 days. Afterwards, I was given the treatment 5 times a week and later I was given a second dose. In total, I did 33 chemotherapy sessions.

This first dose was not really a problem for me. However, when I started the second dose, I collapsed two days into it. When I awoke, it was 3 days later and I did not remember a thing but fortunately for me, my daughter had been with me. I could see all sorts of machines around me. I could recognise people but I could not speak or walk.

On the way back from one of my magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests, I was able to start moving the muscles in my face and slowly, I started speaking again. It was a joyous moment for both my daughter and I.

After this second dose, I was feeling weak and emotionally, I was thinking why me? I had thought that I was strong and healthy and yet all this happened overnight.

I had only 7 radiotherapy sessions left when the machine broke down. This was unfortunate as I wanted to come home. However it was repaired and after I finished my last doses, I was able to travel back to Seychelles; this was a hard journey as my body was still very sensitive.

Q: What follow up care did you receive in Seychelles?

A: I had to see a specialist and was given a month of leave from work to continue recovering. The following year, I did another colonoscopy and thereafter I had to do annual check-ups. Eventually, I had to do the check-ups every 3 years and every 5 years after that. At the time, I also had to do an annual x-ray of my chest and pelvic areas but now I only have to do this every few years.

Q: How did you try to cope mentally, emotionally and physically during all this?

A: I tried not to think about it or think that I was going to die. The word of God is my therapy. While I was doing my radiotherapy sessions, which I disliked, I wanted to move my thoughts away from what was happening. So I learnt psalms by heart and recited these during the sessions until they were over. The recitals were the only thing that helped me during radiotherapy.

I also recited the psalms during the many hours that there was nothing to do to keep myself busy with something positive. My daughter and I prayed together and we assisted other patients, including other Seychellois, by praying with them and talking to them, especially if they were alone.

I experienced the struggle between good and bad during this time; like all the changes in the plans for my treatments, long waiting times for decisions to be made and travelling long distances for radiotherapy. However, I did not get depressed and managed to find strength and determination as I knew that nobody else could do this for me. 

Q: How do you feel now? Are you doing anything in particular to maintain your mental and physical health?

A: I feel okay and according to my tests, everything is clear. I am more health-conscious now and try to live healthily by eating well, drinking plenty of water and exercising. I do not take much sugar and coffee; instead I have a special tea that is free of caffeine. As much as possible, I try not to eat in between meals as well. I have occasional treats but not daily like I used to. There are a lot of fruits and vegetables around so we now have choices and can decide to go with what is better for us.  

I also place my trust in God as without Him, I would not be here. We have to pray, stay close to God and share what we know with others.

Q: Was there anything in particular that you feel helped you to recover?

A: I was positive and I knew I would be back again. I never thought I would die and not once did I give up.

The health system in the hospital in India is good; the doctors were very positive and supportive. Many doctors visited me to see what I required. The owner of the hospital is very concerned about the patients; everyday as soon as I got up at 5am, he was already there visiting the patients, keeping the nurses on their toes and checking if everything was okay. He also attended to me when I collapsed after my second dose of chemotherapy.

My daughter remained strong for me and was able to stay and be with me all the time. My friends at church told me that they were praying for me and I had people in other countries praying for me as well, including Mauritius, England and France.

Q: What improvements in the healthcare system of Seychelles would you wish to see based on your experience?

A: There are many things. In particular, I did not get anyone to counsel me following my diagnosis; I was given my result and that was it. We need to have more experts/professionals to help provide therapy and counselling for people who need it. There is a lot being done already but we need to remember that some people are alone and lack the necessary emotional support, care and empathy.

Reference: American Cancer Society (ACS)