A blue ribbon for Dr. Gray

Everyone recognizes the yellow ribbon loop for returning servicemen.

Or the pink ribbon for breast cancer awareness.

In fact, every form of cancer has its own color — sky blue for prostate cancer, pearl white for lung cancer, lime green for non-Hodgkins lymphoma, jade green for liver cancer, purple for pancreatic cancer…

This story is concerned with the deep blue ribbon — the one representing colorectal cancer.

As a physician — an OB/GYN, specifically — Dr. Karin Gray always recommends preventative steps — mammograms, Pap tests and colonoscopies.

In fact, she insists.

She routinely schedules mammograms when patients come in for their annual exams. And, the minute a woman turns 50, she presses her to schedule a colonoscopy.

“As a GYN, of course I support mammograms, but they can’t prevent breast cancer. With regular colonoscopies, 60-90 percent of colon cancer can be prevented,” Dr. Gray explains.

The Jasper-based physician practiced what she preached. Although she has a bustling practice, she herself made time for routine exams and screenings.

It was during one of her routine physicals that a blood test reported she was “slightly anemic.” The year was 2009.

“I’d never been anemic in my life!” she exclaims. “So they scheduled a few more tests.”

[quote style=”boxed” float=”right”]“No Debbie Downers for me,” she grins. “Get out and live your life!”[/quote] The news was not good. Dr. Gray was diagnosed with colon cancer. She was 44 years old.

The diagnosis came as a shock. Not yet 50, she had no family history of colon cancer and no symptoms. Only 10 percent of diagnosed colon cancers occur in those under 50.

“This is not an old man’s disease,” Dr. Gray insists. “It’s equal between genders. It’s the number two most commonly diagnosed cancer and, if nobody smoked, it would be number one.”

After the diagnosis, there was a period Dr. Gray likens to being “in limbo. I knew it was there, but we had no plan of action. That was the worst part.”

Surgery was scheduled and the tumor was removed.

“I knew from the beginning, after the initial surgery, that chemo was my only option,” she says. She has been undergoing chemotherapy, with a month off here and there, for the past four years.

Determined to find the best course of treatment, Dr. Gray sought second and third opinions from IU Medical Center in Indianapolis and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.

When their recommendations mirrored those she received from Memorial Hospital ad Health Care Center in Jasper, she returned home.

“I have nothing but good things to say about Memorial,” enthuses Dr. Gray. “I have received excellent care, and I’ve felt completely comfortable entrusting my treatment to them and staying here.”

As a physician, Dr. Gray says her journey has been “interesting.” She participated in two clinical trials using new cancer-fighting drugs. “They didn’t work, but I feel happy to have helped in furthering medical knowledge.”

Knowledge is a good thing, she feels. “There’s nothing worse than the fear of the unknown,” she asserts. “I have a little knowledge [about cancer], some from being a physician and some from my time with mom.”

Her mother battled cancer when Dr. Gray was in her early 20s.

If anything, Dr. Gray has become even more of an advocate for screening colonoscopies.

“If my patients are resistant, I point out that 60-90 percent of colon cancer can be prevented.

“If it’s that they’re afraid of the procedure, don’t be. They have great drugs and you won’t feel a thing.”

“If it’s an insurance issue — yes, it can be expensive — cancer is expensive. I hope screening colonoscopies will be part of the Affordable Health Care Act.

“And then, there’s the ‘ick’ factor. Well, if you think having a soft, flexible tube stuck up your rear is icky, think about  having chemo….That’s icky.”

Dr. Gray’s four years of chemotherapy has taken a toll.

“This was a very, very, very difficult decision,” she says, eyes tearing momentarily. “I love the people I work with and I have wonderful patients… but I’m closing my practice as of March 31.

“Four years of chemo has been physically exhausting. It’s hard to keep up the pace. I’ve felt pretty well up to the last month or so, but it’s time to focus on myself now.”

A short pause and the warm smile that has comforted her patients for years is back.

“I have wonderful friends and family and I strongly believe in the power of prayer, I do. My church family has been great. Even to this day, people will show up to plant flowers, bring a meal, clean my house… And one ‘anonymous angel’ paid for my landscaping.”

Some people, she reflects, avoid screening because they’re “afraid they’ll find something.”

“That’s the idea,” Dr. Gray says. “In its early stages, the cure rate is very, very good.

“A cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence. There’s always hope. As long as you feel good, you can do anything you did before.”

Not one to feel sorry for herself, she surrounds herself with positive people.

“No Debbie Downers for me,” she grins. “Get out and live your life!”

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Get Your Rear in Gear! March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

In 2005, the Colon Cancer Coalition was established to increase awareness of and encourage screening for colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer (commonly referred to as colon cancer) almost always starts with a polyp – a small growth on the lining of the colon or rectum. During a screening colonoscopy, polyps are easily removed before they become cancerous.

Early stage colon cancer usually causes no symptoms, but can be detected by colon cancer screening tests.

As colon cancer progresses, the disease may cause symptoms including changes in bowel habits, a feeling of needing to have a bowel movement that doesn’t go away even after a bowel movement, bleeding from the rectum or blood in the stool, cramping or gnawing stomach pain and weakness and fatigue.

Persons exhibiting these symptoms should contact their physician right away.

But why take the chance? Schedule a colonoscopy.

Methodist Hospital Gastroenterology Associates and the Hospital Foundation is hosting a Get Your Rear in Gear! 5K walk on Saturday, March 16, in Henderson, KY. For more information, call Methodist Hospital at 270-831-7836 or visit http://www.methodisthospital.net.

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