The potential for a colon cancer diagnosis was the furthest thing from Tori Joseph’s mind. She was just 40 years old—still five years away from the recommended age of 45 to begin colon cancer screenings. She had no known history of colon cancer in her family. And, Tori was healthy, happy, and busy—living a very full life as a mom of three kids while holding a dynamic leadership-level job at MedStar Health, overseeing community oncology and women’s health operations.
“Looking back, my body was trying to tell me something was off, and I assumed it was nothing to worry about,” said Tori.
One of the first red flags came when Tori started having stomach pains while she was vacationing in Disney World. The discomfort came and went, but seemed to spike each time she ate. She pushed through, determined to fully enjoy fun-filled days in the parks with her family. Once back at home, however, those pains became so unbearable that a 911 call became necessary. While in the hospital, Tori had a CT scan and the results brought news that was simply shocking: a large mass had been detected, it was believed to be colon cancer, and she needed to undergo surgery immediately.
“I was in total disbelief,” recalls Tori. “How could it be that the person who runs cancer services … has cancer? How could I have colon cancer when I wasn’t even at the age that colon cancer screenings were recommended? How was this possible, considering no one in my family had ever been diagnosed with colon cancer?”
As these questions consumed Tori’s thoughts, her reality became clear. Colon cancer can and does impact people who haven’t even reached the recommended age for screening. Additionally, having no family history of colon cancer does not eliminate the risk that someone in the family will eventually be diagnosed and require treatment for colon cancer.
Once her emergency surgery was complete, Tori needed to choose a hospital for the continuation of her care journey. Without hesitation, she turned to MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center, part of the MedStar Georgetown Cancer Institute. Mahsa Mohebtash, MD, medical director of MedStar Health Community Oncology, led the development of her care plan, which called for 12 rounds of aggressive chemotherapy following recovery from colectomy (colon removal) surgery.
“As Tori’s treatment took place, she also experienced the comprehensive, holistic, approach to care that we offer for the benefit of all patients diagnosed with cancer,” said Dr. Mohebtash. “The team’s support made it possible for her to maintain her work and family commitments as her treatment journey ensued.”
“In addition to scheduling my appointments, the social workers made sure I had a way to get to and from each appointment,” said Tori. “All of that care and support is something that every patient receives; it wasn’t because I work here. I just gained a new appreciation for its value and meaning.”
The extraordinary care and support extended beyond what Tori needed, as the patient, and touched her loved ones in incredibly special ways. With guidance from the social work team, Tori’s children participated in support group meetings, designed to bring kids of cancer patients together for conversation and activities centered around how to express and manage emotions during trying times, while also continuing to focus on the positive. Tori’s husband was also able to participate in support group sessions, designed to unite spouses and other close family members of cancer patients.
“They incorporated my whole family into my care plan, which was so important to me,” said Tori. “It was through that support that I was able to continue working every day. Even though I was undergoing treatment for cancer, I wanted to keep managing business as usual, the best I could. I was most comfortable at work, staying focused on my projects and deadlines, and having my team around me as I pushed through fatigue. At the same time, I was determined to not miss a beat with my kids and what was happening in their worlds. I needed to continue being a good mom in all of this, too.”
Dr. Mohebtash says that Tori’s story exemplifies what the care experience looks like for all cancer patients at MedStar Health—a place where the latest, most advanced and evidence-based care is delivered by a team of clinical experts who are also genuinely empathetic and caring.
“It is our job as oncologists to individualize every cancer patient’s plan of care in a way that treats the disease with the right procedures, medications, and therapies, while also anticipating what that person may need on a personal level to get through each day,” said Dr. Mohebtash. “We have built a cancer program that offers everything our patients need, clinically, while also ensuring they feel compassion and empathy from every member of our team.”
Tori’s experiences have motivated her to educate and inspire others. She encourages families to have open and honest conversations about medical history, so that current and future generations can be proactive about getting the appropriate screenings and genetic testing. Since the time of her diagnosis, Tori has created a document listing all of the things that need to be known and shared amongst her own family members. She has chosen to share her story as a way of building awareness about colon cancer and reminding others that the disease can touch anyone—even those who least expect it.
“I have never felt the need to keep my diagnosis private. I want to help others see what the face of colon cancer really looks like,” said Tori. “So, I am telling the world.”
Click here to learn more about MedStar Georgetown Cancer Institute at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center or call 443-777-7147.