Joe Bullock.jpg — Joe’s Wolfpack Trailblazers

March 2021

The month of March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. I’m grateful to these brothers of the Howling Place group for sharing how colorectal cancer has impacted their lives. Thank you to Michael Holtz, Wes Hensel, Michael Richle and Ule Alexander for sharing their cancer stories.

— Joe Bullock, lead administrator, Man Up to Cancer - The Howling Place (Also known as The Wolfpack)

WES HENSEL

BROOMFIELD, COLO.

STAGE 3B RECTAL CANCER

My name is Wes Hensel, and I am a 38-year-old rectal cancer survivor. I work as a Project Manager/Systems Engineer in the Aerospace industry, and I am also a newly licensed real estate professional. I have a beautiful wife and two lovely children and live in Broomfield, Colorado.

I was diagnosed with a Stage 3B rectal tumor during a colonoscopy in December 2017 when I was 34 years old. This was after 4 years of being misdiagnosed with hemorrhoids due to rectal bleeding and being “too young” for it to be anything else.

After diagnosis, tumor tissue testing on mismatch repair protein expression led doctors to believe there may be a genetic link. It turns out that I have a MLH1 gene mutation which means I have Lynch Syndrome, putting me at a much higher risk for developing colorectal cancer at younger ages than the standard population. With no family history at all of colorectal cancer, this came as quite a shock! The knowledge is very powerful to have now though, as I will be able to get annual colonoscopy screening and bi-annual upper endoscopy screenings to ensure nothing sinister is growing going forward.

After diagnosis, I went through 28 radiation treatments while taking oral chemo medication. Then I went through four rounds of FOLFOX chemo, followed by scans to prepare for surgery. Due to the location of the tumor and amount of response to the chemo and radiation, the surgical path was determined to be Abdominoperineal Resection (APR) with permanent colostomy. Surgery was performed at MD Anderson in Houston, by Dr. Nancy You in August 2018 without complications, and I have undergone four more rounds of FOLFOX chemo for cleanup during October through November 2018.

I received clean CT scans in December 2018 and have been declared as No Evidence of Disease (NED) since then with nothing new showing on subsequent scans. I am continuing to undergo scans and preventative screening to stay vigilent for any recurrences.

I have a passion for educating others about this awful disease and the fact that it can and does strike in earlier ages than people think is possible. I want to promote earlier screenings and doctors performing colonoscopies as a first line of defense when symptoms arise in younger patients. I am also passionate about promoting healthy eating and fitness objectives as a way to ward off these kinds of health problems for others. I consider myself to be very lucky to be here today and want to make sure that my story goes to good use to help others avoid all of the horrible things that come along with a diagnosis. There is a lot of power in sharing our stories and being vocal about prevention as this disease is indeed very preventable, given the opportunities exist for the right kind of proactive screenings!

MICHAEL HOLTZ

KNOXVILLE, TENN.

STAGE 3B RECTAL CANCER

My cancer diagnosis in 2012 was filled with incredible ironies, which my gastroenterologist pointed out moments after he uttered those dreaded words, “you have cancer.” He pointed out that I was diagnosed with rectal cancer during Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month while I was also working for the American Cancer Society. My diagnosis also came five days after my 43rd birthday.

After a number of scans and having just about every probe imaginable stuck up my backside, Sarah and I learned that I had stage-3B rectal cancer. The treatment plan was fairly straightforward: 28 rounds of radiation treatment aimed at my rectum combined with five weeks of oral chemotherapy (Xeloda), followed a couple of months later by surgery to remove the tumor, then finished with 12 rounds of the chemotherapy cocktail FOLFOX over the course of six months.

As the public relations guy for the American Cancer Society office in Knoxville, Tennessee, I knew from the moment by gastroenterologist spotted the tumor that I wanted to be wide open about my cancer journey, wherever it led and realizing that in the end cancer could kill me. I wanted to bring my social media followers and my family along for the ride, from the upside to the ugly and everything in between. And I wanted to do it with dignity, grace and a sense of humor; after all, we were dealing with “butt stuff.”

I used my voice then to bring people into the experience. Today, I continue to use my voice as a leadership volunteer for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, where I share my story with local, state and federal lawmakers to urge their support for legislation that impacts cancer patients, survivors and their families. For example, after 10 years of work, we helped close a loophole in Medicare where recipients got surprise bills when they had a colonoscopy when polyps were found.

I’m also blessed to be part of Man Up to Cancer, where I share my experience with other men facing cancer, as well as the organizations Fight Colorectal Cancer, Colorectal Cancer Alliance and Chemo Angels.

Howard Thurman, noted author, theologian, educator and civil rights activist wrote, “Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and go do that, because what the world needs are people who have come alive."

Using my voice and my experience to advocate for those who cannot, and to share my experience with others is what makes me come alive. Funny thing that, since my surgeon used to remind me that the cancer I had was supposed to kill me. I’ve pledged to myself and to God that as long as I have breath, I will fight cancer in every way that I can in the hopes that someday, whether I’m here to see it or not, cancer will become part of medical history.

ULE ALEXANDER

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND

STAGE 4 COLORECTAL CANCER

Life Doesn’t Have Rewind. Moving Forward with Cancer.

August 15, 2016 was the beginning of my new normal. A few months before I was suffering from chronic abdominal pain with all my Drs telling me I just had acid reflux. I ultimately ended up going to the ER where the on-call Dr informed me of a mass the size of a small ball in my lower colon. A few weeks later I had my first colonoscopy. I was 35 years old.

The GI was the first to hint at the big C saying he was going to locate me as a surgeon in the next few weeks to remove the mass. Less than 24 hours later I was sitting in the exam room of my local hospital meeting one of the first men that was going to save my life. Dr Boutros was calm and collected. He assured me this was routine. Wait how is a mass in my colon routine I asked? A routine procedure for me he replied. He was also the first Dr to give the You are way to young speech. He laughed and I cried. I knew nothing of colon cancer. After a good hour he finished to tell me how the cancer had spread to my liver, lungs, and 8 lymph nodes. I would be needing chemotherapy after surgery.

My first of four surgeries was performed on that August day. Dr Markan head of Oncology was next up to bat to tell me I was too young for colon cancer. Was this some sort of theme? We began talks of our first treatment regimen. I asked the Dr what is going on? Who am I now? You are a Stage IV Colon Cancer Survivor. We began round 1 of 30 of chemotherapy in October of that year. As of September 2020 I’ve now had 103 rounds of chemotherapy.

Cancer and I have had a rollercoaster of a ride. My wife who began my journey with me went away. I met several earthly angels among my journey including my caregiver who stepped up to be by my side when no one else was there. Living with metastatic cancer has made me truly appreciate every single day. There was a time I didn’t think I was going to even see my 40th birthday, but Here I Stand! Now 41!!

Cancer is a disease that tears apart families and loved ones. It can make you feel things. Being a cancer survivor has given me the chance to walk, talk, and meet some many other amazing people. Some like me started out alone and lost in the world of their new diagnosis. I want people to know that cancer doesn’t mean the end of your life. Just the end of a chapter in your life. Never Stop moving forward as we do not know what amazing journey can still be ahead of us.

MICHAEL RIEHLE

SOUTH WALES, NY

STAGE IV COLORECTAL CANCER

Hi, I'm Michael. I was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer in June of 2020 at 31 years old. Like most, my diagnosis came as a shock, especially being so young. The initial treatment plan that was laid out at my local cancer facility was bleak. I was written off as another "innumerable liver mets, inoperable, incurable" patient and the only treatment offered was chemo for life. They told me I probably had a year, maybe more if I was lucky. I started treatment, but my wife and I just could not leave my life in the hands of a team who didn't believe I could live a long, healthy life.

We immediately started looking for other hospitals. Thankfully we found COLONTOWN right off the bat and it led us to a world of information and guidance. With our new knowledge, we got two second opinions and eventually landed at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center NYC. There we met with the team that would completely change my trajectory of my journey.

In August I had my first consultation with MSK. They took a look and immediately signed me up for colon resection and HAI pump placement. Surgery took place in October, and shortly after I began my new chemo regimen. I was now working towards a liver resection. My wife and I traveled every two weeks for treatment. It was exhausting, but paid off in the long run. Just four and a half months passed and I was suddenly ready for my next surgery. I had my first liver resection on February 16th, and my surgeon is confident that in 2-3 months we will go back in and clear my liver completely. This would have the potential to leave me free of cancer.

It's wild to think that just 8 months ago I was given a death sentence, and here I am today so close to the cherished NED status. I have definitely learned the importance of trusting your instincts. If it doesn't feel right with your hospital, find one that is the proper fit for you. I am so thankful for these online communities for being such life changing resources for us. My goal is to bring hope to other cancer patients, and show the importance of getting 2nd opinions.

Michael Riehle getting creative for WEAR BLUE DAY, for Colorectal Cancer Awareness, March 5, 2021

JOE BULLOCK

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA

STAGE 3B COLORECTAL CANCER

We have just celebrated 'Dress In Blue Day' this year on March 5th. I remember back in March of 2019 I had only been NED (No Evidence of Disease) for a couple of months. I just wanted to forget I ever had Stage 3b colorectal cancer. To be honest, I don't think anyone really teaches you how to survive cancer.

As I reflect back on those days I can't remember if I even dressed in blue that day. It took me a while to wrap my brain around the idea of celebrating cancer. It seemed like every month there was a different cancer to be celebrated and a colorful cancer ribbon to go with it. I felt a bit overwhelmed and guilt ridden that I had survived cancer at all.

As the year progressed I did seem to be more open to the idea of being more of an advocate when it came to colorectal cancer. I continued to go to my local support group to offer hope and friendship. I watched as many of my brothers and sisters in the fight began to share their stories of survivorship in the various advocacy groups. I was encouraged to share my own cancer story as well. I know it may have seemed a bit selfish at that time that I did not want to share my survivorship story. I think emotionally I was still healing from what cancer had put me through that past year. Everyone that survives cancer has to rise at their own pace in their journey.

I remember one day in the fall of 2019 I went to sit with a fellow cancer survivor receiving chemotherapy treatment. I thought to myself if I could sit here and go through this moment with him then I can advocate for others in the fight. I could not fix his cancer but I could help him get through that moment. As an advocate It's our chosen purpose to support one another in the fight with colorectal cancer. Today I share my story as often as I can because It gives me purpose to my survivorship. We share our stories to bring hope to others and bring awareness to this disease.

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