In his honest and personal book Body and Soul, author John shares the very first chapter of his unexpected journey with metastatic anorectal mucosal melanoma.

When That Rectal Discomfort First Showed Up Around Thanksgiving Or Christmas

It all began at the end of 2017. Sometime around Thanksgiving or Christmas John started to experience some rectal discomfort. The symptoms were not so severe. He had a colonoscopy only six months before. At that time no tumors were reported, just two small polyps removed and biopsies performed. He felt he was in the clear back then.

Why He Chose To Wait Instead Of Heading To The Doctor Right Away

Looking back John realized he was probably rationalizing the situation. He knew he should have had it checked out. But nobody really likes those kinds of tests especially at Christmas time. He and Pat had plans to fly out to San Francisco to see their son Peter and his wife and their daughter Kristen and her husband Denis for the holidays. He convinced himself the pain was only mildly uncomfortable and could not be dangerous.

The Annual Physical That Left Him Feeling Angry And Unsatisfied

Upon their return from the West Coast John had his annual medical physical scheduled with his primary care doctor in Plymouth. It was January maybe February. The doctor was not alarmed. He did not even take a look and said it was probably hemorrhoids since John had just had that colonoscopy. The appointment was quick. It consisted of weight height vitals EKG and then seeing the receptionist for the next appointment. John felt angry about how casual the response was. He had been displeased with the office service before but decided not to make a scene.

The Family Wedding Trip When The Pain Became Much Harder To Ignore

Before seeing the specialist John and Pat made a quick trip via plane to South Carolina for the wedding of Pat’s family. It was beautiful but John was miserable by this time. He was in pain whenever he sat down. Still he kept telling himself it was hemorrhoids and continued self treating with Preparation H. The pain was worse now and although no blood was discharging mucous was.

The Gastroenterologist Visit That Finally Named The Problem

In March 2018 John finally saw a gastroenterologist. Upon examination she determined he had a tumor. She did not try to categorize it but said it was a tumor and should be removed by a general surgeon. John and Pat then went to see Dr. Matthew Tierney the surgeon who had performed his last colonoscopy at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Plymouth. Dr. Tierney examined him and expressed concern but stayed calm. He told them about mucosal melanoma and how rare it was and that this was his suspicion. He said he would remove it and get the biopsy.

The early pages of Body and Soul capture this uncertain beginning with a sense of quiet reflection. What started as something small would soon reveal a far more serious reality.