How ignoring a colonoscopy at age 50 changed my life

Name the destination and there’s a good chance Rick Smith of Bellevue, Neb. has been there.

“Saudi Arabia, Japan, Europe, Alaska, Hawaii. I flew all over the world,” Rick says. “As a crew chief, I flew 340 flight hours a year the last part of my career.”

After serving in the first Gulf War, spending four years in England and 16 years at Offutt Air Force Base, Rick retired from the military and opened an auto repair shop. He spent time with his wife, three kids and grandkids. Things were going smoothly – until July of 2015.

“I started having stomach pain. Felt like it was my appendix,” Rick explains. “But, my appendix was removed four years earlier, so I knew that couldn’t be it.”

Rick’s physician prescribed medication for a possible infection. But, as the summer months stretched on, Rick started having problems eating solid foods.

“The minute I ate something, I was instantly miserable.”

That September, Rick had a colonoscopy – his first one. At 55 years old, Rick was five years overdue.

“When I turned 50, I didn’t get a colonoscopy,” admits Rick. “At the time, it sounded demoralizing and intrusive to me. I didn’t want anybody down there.”

During the colonoscopy, Rick’s physician discovered a blue-gray mass. Rick was diagnosed with locally advanced colon cancer and was referred to Sean Langenfeld, MD, a colon and rectal surgeon at Nebraska Medicine.

“Rick’s tumor was bigger than a softball and was invading his abdominal wall,” explains Dr. Langenfeld. “This often makes the cancer unresectable, but I felt comfortable that it could be removed safely.”

Surgery was scheduled for October 26, but one-week prior, Rick woke up with severe discomfort. The pain was so bad, Rick passed out in the bathroom. After taking a trip to the emergency department at Nebraska Medicine – Nebraska Medical Center, Rick’s surgery was moved up.

“A perforation from the tumor had entered my lower abdominal muscle and ate a hole through it,” describes Rick.

In the operating room, a multi-disciplinary team went to work for nearly eight hours. Dr. Langenfeld removed the tumor along with the involved muscles of Rick’s abdominal wall. Tiffany Tanner, MD, a general surgeon at Nebraska Medicine with expertise in complex abdominal wall reconstruction, then repaired Rick’s abdominal wall with a rotational muscle flap and biologic mesh.

“This was a challenge to fix due to the large defect Rick was left with in his abdominal wall,” explains Dr. Tanner. “It required us to mobilize his muscle and recreate his left lateral abdominal wall from his hip to his ribs. There were many teams involved in Rick’s care, with everyone focused on one goal – his recovery.”

Less than 24 hours after surgery, Rick was walking the hospital hallways. But a few days later, he developed pneumonia and became septic.

“It was Halloween night,” remembers Rick. “My family was really worried about me, so Dr. Langenfeld came to the med center on his day off. Instead of taking his kids trick-or-treating, he was here for me. I can’t even put it into words – I get choked up. Dr. Langenfeld, the nurses and staff at Nebraska Medicine were amazing. You can tell this isn’t just a job for them. They truly care.”

“Rick got very sick from the pneumonia,” adds Dr. Langenfeld. “We believe it was due to him being unable to take big breaths after having major surgery. Thankfully, Rick recovered well and his lungs are back to normal. I’m glad I could be there for him and his family.”

After being discharged from the hospital, Rick started taking walks around his Bellevue neighborhood to regain his strength. Because his tumor was so advanced, Rick’s oncologist, Jean Grem, MD, recommended he also do 12 rounds of chemotherapy. Overall, Rick’s prognosis is very good.

“His lymph nodes are negative for any traces of cancer cells, which is great news,” says Dr. Langenfeld. “Rick’s 5-year survival exceeds 70-75 percent.”

“Dr. Langenfeld told me, if I came in 10 years ago with this type of tumor, I would have died,” adds Rick. “I am now a huge advocate for colonoscopies. After my surgery, my kids and younger brother all had them done. It’s so simple – not intrusive at all.”

These days, Rick spends as much time as he can with his family and friends. Instead of flying planes to foreign destinations, he and his wife enjoy road trips to Kansas City. Fighting cancer has given Rick a new lease on life.

“Enjoy the moment. Enjoy the little things,” smiles Rick. “But, most importantly – get a colonoscopy. It can save your life. I’m living proof.”

After his cancer diagnosis, Rick enjoys spending as much time as he can with his three kids and grandkids.

To schedule an appointment at Nebraska Medicine, call 800.922.0000.