Patient Spotlight: Marie Majdalany
Meet Marie Majdalany
Huntington, West Virginia
Tell us about your journey with colorectal cancer.
I had been experiencing abdominal pain for a few months. My doctors had ordered abdominal ultrasounds and CT scans, which were all normal. I followed up with my PCP, Dr. Carolyn Curtis, and she ordered a colonoscopy. During the colonoscopy, a mass was removed. The pathology results indicated malignancy. I was referred to Dr. Yehuda Lebowitz and was later diagnosed with Stage 1 colon cancer. At the time, I was in my forties with no family history of colon cancer. I was stunned! My treatment plan consisted of iron infusions and colorectal surgery. After a partial colectomy at the Cleveland Clinic, I followed up with Dr. Jennifer Dotson. I was so fortunate that my cancer was diagnosed at an early stage and the surgery was successful. I feel so grateful and blessed every day!
Can you describe your experience with staff at Edwards Comprehensive Cancer Center?
The staff at the ECCC were very knowledgeable and compassionate. My oncologist and nurse navigator always took the time to explain everything and answered all my questions.
What do you wish more people realized about colon cancer?
According to the CDC, colon cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. It often presents itself with little or no symptoms. That is why screening is important! Screening can find precancerous polyps that can be removed before they turn into cancer. In addition, screening can also help find colorectal cancer at early stages, when treatment is most effective.
Is there anything else you’d want our audiences to know about you, your experience with cancer and/or the care you received at ECCC?
Listen to your body and do all the recommended screening and genetic testing!