Colon Cancer Survivor: ‘I Feel Like My Life’s Getting Back on Track’

There is absolutely no doubt in Holly McClain’s mind: A colonoscopy saved her life.

Holly, a nurse in Thompson’s M.M. Ewing Continuing Care Center, is only 46 and didn't realize the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force had lowered the recommended age to begin screenings from 50 to 45; however, last fall she started experiencing symptoms including bloating and cramping.

The Canandaigua woman put off going to the doctor for a little while and thought maybe she had celiac disease like one of her children. Holly then learned of a family history of colon cancer. “I knew I needed to get checked sooner rather than later,” she said.

Her primary care physician, Dr. R. Douglas Alling of our Canandaigua Medical Group, determined that a gluten allergy was not the issue and recommended a colonoscopy. Holly had Dr. Raymond Thomas conduct the procedure at Thompson. It was then she learned she did indeed have colon cancer. Just before Christmas, she had a surgery at the Wilmot Cancer Institute to have a portion of her large intestine removed.

“I was lucky enough not to have a colostomy bag because my cancer was not as advanced,” she noted.

In January, cancer was detected in Holly’s lymph nodes. Instead of returning to work after healing from the surgery as planned, she underwent three months of chemotherapy at Wilmot's Sands Cancer Center on Thompson’s main campus.

Her last treatment was May 3, and she was back to work at the Continuing Care Center on May 8, eager to reconnect with her residents and with coworkers who had donated paid time off and gift cards in addition to contributing to a Go Fund Me for Holly during her five months away.

“I have an awesome work family,” she said. “I was shocked at all the people who helped me. Some people I didn’t even know.”

Holly is now in remission and said, “I feel like my life’s getting back on track.” She will have CT scans every six months to make sure nothing has changed, and has another colonoscopy scheduled for this December. In the meantime, she is encouraging others to get colonoscopies if they are over 45 or if they have symptoms.

One woman Holly spoke with was having symptoms similar to the ones she experienced last fall; Holly told the woman she is living proof that it does not matter how old you are.

“You really need to go get it checked out. It might not be cancer, but you could have Crohn’s or celiac or something,” she said, noting there could also be pre-cancerous polyps which could later develop into cancer.

Holly knows the word “colonoscopy” can spark anxiety in some people, but she doesn’t believe the procedure is anything to worry about. Besides, Holly added, catching something early means treating it early when treatment is not as invasive.

“In the long run,” she said, “it could save your life."

Visit www.ThompsonHealth.com/Colonoscopy for information and providers.