#52 � Colorectal Cancer: Early Detection Matters

Mackenzie Jones:
Thank you for joining us for this episode of talking health in the 406 where we are one community under the Big Sky I'm your host Mackenzie Jones the program manager of the Department of Public Health and Human services Montana disability and health program which supports the health and Wellness of the disability community. The positive community change and inclusive health resources today we will hear a story of bravery honesty and a commitment toward health that ultimately saved. Our honored guest Tim Fox a former attorney general from Montana will talk about his journey with colon cancer his decision to go public and how his support system gave him strength also with us we have Sheylee Stowers the program officer for the Montana cancer control program. At DPHS who will share additional resources and guidance on cancer screenings throughout this podcast. Tim let's hear from you first tell us a bit about yourself and why we might recognize your name.
Tim Fox:
Yeah sure well thanks Mackenzie for having me on your podcast and load all your listeners my name is Tim Fox I am from Hardin Montana where I was born. And raised and. Went to college at the. University of Montana where I. Eventually earned 3 degrees and practice law now in Montana for just I guess I'm in my 39th year my wife and I have 4 kids and 8 grandkids and we're blessed to live here in Montana and call this home.
Mackenzie Jones:
Sheylee I tell us a little bit about yourself and. How you're connected to the Department of Public Health and Human services?
Sheylee Stowers:
Hi there and thank you again Mackenzie for having us today my name is Sheylee Stowers I grew up on the border of Iowa and South Dakota actually a very very rural area and I got connected with the state the DPHHS almost 2 years ago now I've been in the cancer section specifically the comprehensive cancer section under PHS D or. Public health and safety division for about a year and a half and this is how I got involved with the coalition.
Mackenzie Jones:
Tim you were invited to join our podcast today to talk about your journey with colon cancer and how you've become an advocate for early screening walk us through the early days before you were diagnosed how are you feeling and why did you decide to go to the state clinic.
Tim Fox:
I was I think. Just coming up on my 60th birthday and my wife and I were in Portland Oregon helping our daughter and her husband. Looked for a home. And I was just doing out of sorts no energy so I was getting lots of sleep and eating well and I just kind of knew from being in tune with my body I used to be. A a fairly good. Athlete not so much anymore but I've been active never really had any health problems and I don't. Do you like I'm a hypochondriac I don't run to the doctor every time I have a sniffle but I did feel like this is out of the ordinary so I was fortunate as you know I was Montana 's attorney general from 2003? Kindle 2021 and what a great honor and blessing that was and part of the benefits of being a state employee was being able to go to the state clinic essentially free of charge with you know a few exceptions and so I really didn't have any barriers and you know that was very fortunate so I just went and got a check up. And some blood tests and during the course of all that my doctor said have you ever had a colonoscopy and I I had had one about 8 and a half years before the. Uh and he said well what was the diagnosis what was the outcome and I said well they they said I had a couple of polyps they removed and they said I could you know probably wait another 10 years before my next colonoscopy which would have put me beyond 60 years old and he said well you know the conventional wisdom has changed now. In terms of when you should have your first colonoscopy and and secondly you know when you should have a repeat if you've had polyps removed. He said so you know why don't we you you know schedule a colonoscopy and I I think I blurted out why why would I want to. Get a colonoscopy. Those are unpleasant and I'll be there any event we scheduled it and you know Long story short it saved my life I was diagnosed with cancer but thank God for. Great health care and wonderful healthcare professionals and I learned I've learned a lot obviously it's a life changing event and you know unfortunately there are a lot of people in the same circumstance I just read the other day. That you know for people under the age of 45 I believe it is who have cancer colon cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer in people under 45 and it's entirely preventable if people get their checkups and so. I you know for a brief moment because I was an elected official with aspirations to perhaps run for another office down the road I had this brief moment where I thought well I need to keep this secret just let you know my close family know about it but not tell anybody else because it might affect you know my ability. Ready to to campaign for another office but that was very brief and then I thought. You know. I can be an advocate I can encourage people because I have a platform and a position where people hopefully listen also I began a campaign of of. Encouraging people to get. Their health screenings whatever they may be male or female whatever their age may be talk to your primary care provider about you know setting up a schedule for the things that we all should be doing and I went public I called a reporter got a release or gave a release to my doctor. When we sat down with the reporter and there was on the front page of the Great Falls Tribune just a few days? Later I've been very I guess fulfilled because I have several stories of people who were prompted to go get their screenings and it saved their life and there's nothing more heartwarming and fulfilling than knowing that you did something in your life. That benefited someone else in such a profound way.
Mackenzie Jones:
Thank you Tim so I want to go back to the beginning of this story and. Ask about how do we. Recommend people staying in tune with their bodies you said you aren't one to go to the doctor's office if you just are sniffling did you have a connection with your primary care provider that made it easier for you to go and make that decision to get tested.
Tim Fox:
I really didn't although I I had seen I think this doctor before I think primarily what it was is that the position I was in was very demanding of my time and my energy and somewhat of a type A personality anyway you know I knew in the back of my mind that you know this petigru I was feeling was just not normal. For me. And I you know I felt like I LED a fairly good healthy lifestyle but having a cancer diagnosis is a wake up call and you change a few of your lifestyle activities but in any event you know I I I knew that once I got back to Helena from Portland. Helping my daughter find. Oh but I just didn't couldn't afford to you know be fatigued I had a lot to do very vigorous lifestyle and and work and so. I thought you know. Again because it was fairly simple to make an appointment and go to the state clinic but now to just do that. Let's see you know what's going on and again I was you know somewhat reluctant to get a colonoscopy I'd had them before but I guess to sum it up the inconvenience of the colonoscopy is better than being dead.
Mackenzie Jones:
Did you know that there were? Other types of tests at the time why did you and your doctor decide on an endoscopy and colonoscopy.
Tim Fox:
Yeah I really. Didn't know that there are other tests there are some more simple tests and I'm not a doctor so I don't know the efficacy of the various options and maybe we could talk about those some are a little less intrusive than a colonoscopy but I was not aware that there was any other test other than a colonoscopy. Also I'll you know when the doctor recommended that you know I figured it was either that. Or nothing at all. And fun little story to you get a call a day or 2 before the procedure from a nurse who you know is just inquiring as to whether you understand the prep that you need to do and you know when you need to be at the hospital and all of that and and I told her I said you know I I feel pretty good. You know since I saw the doctor I'm not sure this is necessary and I knew her she said Tim you get your **** in here and let's get this done it's important. And so that little bit of reluctance with washed away and thank goodness that it did and you know ultimately I was diagnosed I got a call I was at a meeting of state attorneys general in Washington DC then I had my phone on silent but it vibrated and I saw that.
Mackenzie Jones:
They're all.
Tim Fox:
Uh my doctor's office was calling and I thought well that's very important so I got up and went out into the lobby and and answered the phone and he said you know Tim there's really no way to sugarcoat this but you have colon cancer. So you know. That was the beginning of a a very unsettling journey you know each person has a different experience of how they react to situations like that you know I was stressed and upset and whatnot but my family rallied around me my friends. My Special Olympics Montana athletes rallied around me my doctors were very clear on what I needed to do. And so eventually as you know I I went to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota and eventually had a colon resection surgery and they took out about 7 inches of bicolor and they biopsied the area and the lymph nodes and determined that I had what they call stage. 3 B colon cancer which stage 4 is the the stuff that's really bad so we. Caught it soon. Enough I'm not sure if I'd have waited. Much longer what. I've been quite as fortunate as I I was but again thank goodness. For. You know healthcare providers and all of that and and as we've talked before I one of the things that concerns me is that not everyone has the insurance and the advantages of all family and friends and on other things to get them through that but you know we'll talk some more there are. Many many resources out there for people who are in a health crisis and there's there's really no excuse to. Not take care of yourself certainly in your lifestyle you know so that you're less app to be diagnosed with any kind of cancer or other serious ailment but certainly you know if you are diagnosed there are many many support systems out there that are gonna help you get through it and that's why I'm thankful of this. Podcast and what you all do because you're gonna help make sure that montanans know what's available to them so that they can get healthy stay healthy and that live a long and happy life.
Mackenzie Jones:
So we are going to jump over to. Sheylee I have a couple of questions for you as far as. Colon cancer screenings go what are the options for people and what are the recommendations that go with them.
Sheylee Stowers:
As far as colorectal cancer screenings on the US preventative task force also known as USPS TF. Recommend that individuals start screening shortly after the age of 45 and then after that you continue to receive screenings at regular intervals however some people might need to be screened a little bit earlier for colorectal cancer just if they have underlying health conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease or Crohn's disease.
Mackenzie Jones:
And surely are there other types of.
Speaker
The.
Mackenzie Jones:
Tests like we talked about Tim got the colonoscopy and endoscopy or other types of tests that people could look into that may be more accessible and less invasive.
Sheylee Stowers:
There are actually so there's a signal analogy which I'm a little bit unfamiliar with that procedure itself and I believe screening recommendations are every 5 years but then there's also new technology that's coming out which I think is quite fascinating so fit tests are colorectal cancer screening kits that are sent and mailed to your home you complete them at home and then you just send them. Back in and I believe those are recommended every year though for most screening guidelines it's always beneficial to talk to your doctor before making any decisions.
Tim Fox:
And if I can add to that Mackenzie you know one of the important things to consider for anyone is family history of cancer but regardless of the kind of cancer that it might be and so it's great to take stock of. So they're not just say your mother or your father or your siblings but even beyond that you know another level of relatives and you know it's OK to ask your mom or your dad or your brother or sister or whoever you know what do you know about uncle Jack or you know did. Did grandma ever have any issues with cancer what did she die of that kind of thing and I know that doctors and healthcare professional? In there their intake questions they always ask that about what kind of family history you have with respect to health problems and so you know listeners I think need to ask those questions and and contemplate you know whether I should get a screening maybe earlier than. Usual you know maybe before age 45 because my dad died of colorectal cancer.
Mackenzie Jones:
Charlie do you know some of the reasons or the main reasons why folks decide not to get screened is fear of it going to hurt or it being humiliating a factor.
Sheylee Stowers:
You know I don't want to speak on behalf of the entire population I think that there's a lot of barriers. Why people don't get screened I think Tim mentioned one of them earlier I think one of the barriers to screening might be cost or distance to screening which is where those fit tests are really going to step in and? Help people out.
Tim Fox:
You know if I can add again McKenzie. You don't necessarily have to be going in for a specific screening per say I mean there are men and women will have different types of screenings for cancer but if you hopefully are able to afford through insurance or otherwise having a primary care. A physician or provider and scheduling you know annual checkups those are very important too. Because number one the the the process of a check up is designed to uncover or detect issues you may have that you don't know or that you've been overlooking or avoiding oftentimes you know for me. When I went in with feeling fatigue the first thing was a a blood test you know to see if there was something you know maybe there was a liver issue or a kidney issue or an iron issue or something fairly simple to correct? Correct but you know that's really important to you know and I don't know when people are supposed to start scheduling their annual exams but it's a good question to ask to research and again a lot of it depends on family history and whether you should be having those annual exams. Sooner rather than later.
Mackenzie Jones:
I'm someone with Crohn's disease and have had to get multiple colonoscopies. To talk more about the fear or the hurt or the humiliation I found that before I was diagnosed with Crohn's for me it was I really want to get answers and I want to know why my body is like tennis saying. Fatigued why. My bowel issues were not normal while I was getting canker sores and so to go through a process like that. Felt like something that could provide answers so for me it was more of a solutions based assessment that I didn't even worry about what it. Would feel like? Fast forward 12 years and I've had multiple colonoscopies and know myself that there are there's a period of a few hours. A very uncomfortable when you're going through the prep but it's worth it in the long run it's really to help you and living a longer healthier life going forward.
Tim Fox:
I I appreciate you sharing that information to me you know not only is that very laudable Mackenzie but it's very brave. You know healthcare issues are very personal I think Shelley mentioned that and as I mentioned everybody has a little different reaction to having an illness and who they should talk to about it but you know you're in the business of saving lives. Right. I was in the business of using my platform as a public official. To save lives and so you know we don't need to get into specifics people can talk to their healthcare provider about how does a colonoscopy work and what is the prep what can I expect but we we are in the business of encouraging people to live healthy. Lifestyles see their doctor and get their screenings as recommended by those professionals that know that if you do that. Uh. You will live longer you will be healthier and you will be happy happier and no amount of money can buy any of that it's just so so important and that's why we're all here prompted on this podcast to get that word out. So much of this I had no clue. Well until I was diagnosed with cancer and so there are so many stories of wonderful people some of us some of them very close to us others you know national figures or actors or actresses or others whose life and career was cut short because. Because why maybe they just didn't you know follow through on recommendations or see their doctor on a regular basis and again it's not about being a hypochondriac it's it's about balancing life 's choices in a way that benefits you and the people who are close to you. We would miss you very much if you weren't here.
Mackenzie Jones:
A little background on my story. The. At age 17 I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease and I remember being pretty concerned about what was going on I would get dizzy spells and I was getting I was getting canker sores in my mouth and my my bowels were not acting normal and I. Was moving really? Tired I was a front row seater. In class and I was falling asleep I would sit in the front row and I would. I'll be nodding off and so I knew something was wrong and I had a friend 's mom that asked what was going on because she could tell I lost weight and she said let's get you into the the Children's Hospital and get you a colonoscopy and I am so grateful for the experience that I had. At the children 's hospital and the support that I got. To put my health first. And recognize that it may be scary but. This kind of test can save lives and it can recognize when something is. Really wrong with. Your body whether it is colon cancer or another type of cancer or Crohn's disease and the doctors can help you come up with a treatment plan that works for you. And my experience over the next 4 years was I would have a flare up every 2 years so I wasn't in the mission yet which is a term that's also used for autoimmune diseases if your body is still acting like the disease is active you're not in remission even though you always have that as a part of you. And 4 years later I was back in a position where I was. Nodding off in class and. Having similar symptoms and so the the doctors decided they needed to put me on a biologic medication and in order to know that we went through the whole process again of having a colonoscopy and actually did a video Cam where I swallowed the video camera and it looked at my bowels. Just to see and make sure that they knew exactly what was going on. And I. Have since then been able to make a huge shift in my life I moved off campus I decreased some of the stresses in my life I started running I was choosing the food that I was eating instead of eating everything that was on campus and and I started that medication so? Recognizing the power of getting screened early and then working with your.
Sheylee Stowers:
Later.
Mackenzie Jones:
As well as listening to your body I think 10 you made a really good point of being in tune what feels good for you what is normal for you because sometimes normal looks different across the board and recognizing that I'm not feeling normal for me and maybe I need to get tested and so just. So grateful for the medical providers and the family and friends that supported. Me through that process. Yes and I just want to empathize with Tim and in the what you went through and that recovery process that you still still deal with today as a survivor of cancer as someone who continues to have an autoimmune disease there's still that follow up with your with your doctor. So I think both of us can remain an advocate for getting screened and being open to. Diagnosis in hopes that there there is a solution.
Tim Fox:
That's great point Mackenzie about the the benefits of getting a colonoscopy drones disease and colon cancer are just 2 of the ailments that can be detected with colonoscopy. But back to a point. I made earlier about going. Public with you know my diagnosis and encouraging people to get their screenings my brother I have 4 older brothers and my next I'm the youngest the next oldest brother his wife died of a bowel obstruction that got to a point where she had to have emergency surgery. And she was weeks in the hospital and eventually it had some really bad infections and and I think she died of a a blood clot but my brother had never had a colonoscopy and he's about 6 years older than me. So at the time he had been around 65 years old he decided to go in and get a colonoscopy just as a preventative screening and they discovered a polyp in the far reaches of his colon just you know where the colon transitions into another part of your digestive system. Ohh and the doctor told me how to polyp that was big enough if he didn't address it and have it removed it was a ticking time bomb much like what killed his wife and so you know he credits me for prompting him to get that test so that he didn't have an issue down the road where that polyp. Became a bowl instruction where he'd have to have emergency surgery without the kind of prep that we use for preventative colonoscopy which is you know a serious issue because of the risk of infection and other problems and while I'm talking about it. Yes that what happened after I went public was just a couple of other examples. As attorney general I was in charge of the Highway Patrol. And the Montana Highway Patrol is you know there's like 250 dedicated folks out there that are are are protecting us but I had one of the Highway Patrol troopers come to me shortly after I went public and he said that you know he'd never had a colonoscopy he was actually. I think around 55 or 60 years old he went ahead and got one and turns out he had colon cancer and he credits me with saving his life and I don't know how many more stories are maybe out there that I did know about that one other which is a little bit unique one of my attorneys in the attorney general 's office. And his wife both decided to schedule colonoscopies they'd never had one and he had just disrobed and put on his his gown for the colonoscopy at the hospital when he had a massive heart attack and had he not been in the. Hospital you know he feels that there was a you know a much reduced survival rate and so he credits me with saving his life too so those 2 things are tremendously fulfilling but don't wait don't wait for someone to encourage you at the last minute. When you know if you made the wrong decision that would have been perhaps too late so I think that you know?
You know and.
Tim Fox:
And not everyone as we mentioned earlier feels comfortable with discussing their health issues and I I get that I I felt the same way initially and you don't have to tell anybody I would encourage you to tell your most loved ones your close friends so they can come around you and give you support because you're gonna need that. But you don't have to go public but just understand that this is a message that we all need to hear and that you know you can be an ambassador or an advocate for saving someone 's life if you choose to do that but you don't have to.
Mackenzie Jones:
Thank you Tim I am sure you have impacted so many more folks than you even know after going public and so I am interested in learning more about that decision as an attorney general you were in the public 's eye and privacy isn't always a luxury how did you grapple with the decision to make your diagnosis public. Or not who was a part of that support team when you were. Making that decision.
Tim Fox:
Well primarily it was my wife because you know going public with things like this don't only affect yourself but those around you that are closest to you that love you you know rightly or wrongfully sometimes others in your family or a close. Circle of friends. You know might not be comfortable with. I'm not talking about it or you talking about it I I know that you know. For. Months on end after I went public I brought it up and pretty much every public speech I made in fact the Highway Patrol trooper had heard me speak a couple of meetings that I had with with the leadership in the Highway Patrol and after hearing it a couple of times he finally made the decision listen I'm gonna get get my. I'll colonoscopy but again you know initially I thought this is something that I don't want to get out because of Sheylee mentioned it that there's some stigma. Well you know oftentimes I don't understand this and I don't know why people do this but they look down on people who have health problems whatever it might be or maybe a disability you know people have their prejudices and and we can't control that. But we can I think be strong and and overlook it and say you know. I'm not gonna let you control my narrative or my life or what I do to help others and background on the issue of I mentioned disabilities you know when I went public the outpouring of support from people was wonderful calls and texts and. Letters in the mail et cetera so many people applauding the decision to go public. Like but I needed the support of people too those that were closest to me and I've been very involved in Special Olympics Montana and the movement with people of you know intellectual disabilities giving them opportunities whether it be in athletics or otherwise. And I had you know been involved in that for a number of years before I was diagnosed with cancer. Sure but you know obviously my closest friends and my family you know all came around me reached out to me encouraged me but it was the Special Olympics Montana athletes and their families as a group that really rose up to to love on me and support me and especially Olympics. Montana is by far away the greatest nonprofit organization I've ever been associated with. And I have received. More in terms of love and support perhaps than I've even given John the people that I've come in touch with in Special Olympics but and I&I wonder you know why would that be but I I guess you know what I've concluded is that it's because they understand the stigma. The discrimination of the other negative things that come from have. And you know a health issue or disability and intellectual disability they can relate. And so I think that's why they came out and rose to support me and love on me and that helped me get through things and so I'm forever grateful for the relationships that I'd had and do continue to have on the chairman of the board of Special Olympics. Montana because I I frankly received more in return than I've given. And that's been very very important to me you know another thing that helped sustain me through this process I was trying to finish my degree my masters degree in public administration at the at the University of Montana and I'd registered for the spring semester I was working on my. Jesus white found out I had cancer and I called my advisor and I I said you know doctor I I've I've got cancer I don't know what that means for me I'm not sure what the future has in. Or I'm I'm really kind of overwhelmed can I get my tuition and fees back and you know and I just don't think I can proceed with this and and and it I'm paraphrasing but in a nutshell she said you know Tim. You're going to want something to keep you preoccupied maybe a distraction. If you will? Something to to work for I think this is really important that you stay the course. Course and you know if you need a little extra time we can talk about that but I think this will be important so you know I did all the research and writing at 1:00 point in time I was hospitalized for about a week because I went through chemotherapy and I had a bad reaction to the chemotherapy at 1:00 point and I called her and I said well I just. Got out of the hospital. And I don't think I can meet the next deadline I said can I have a couple of weeks maybe to a month and she. Said well I'll give you. The week but let's not use this as an excuse to put things off let's plow forward you know let me know if if you think you need more time but let's just try to get it done. And I did and graduated with my masters degree in public administration a little bit late in life but I credit her also this again as part of your support. I mean. For saying you know this might be something that will be good for you as you know I was sitting in chemotherapy reading articles and books and coming home feeling like I didn't have a lot of energy but yet I do need to get sit down and I need to write that next chapter and so that's what worked for me and again everybody's going to be different. You know just doing something constructive. That not only maybe distracts you or keeps you preoccupied but also gives you a sense of purpose that you know what I'm not gonna let this beat me I'm gonna continue on and you hear that story with a lot of people and having that something to do if you will was very very important in retrospect.
Mackenzie Jones:
It sounds like community. Is so important in the recovery process having community throughout that whole process of being diagnosed with cancer and going through treatment? For those who may not have as wide of a net what would you recommend what kind of words can you say to to folks who might be. Feeling alone during that process.
Tim Fox:
Sure and that's a very real situation for a lot of folks who maybe don't have family or family close by. OK for whatever reason don't have that community net if you will and and I think that's where Shelley and others like her who have dedicated their lives to providing resources and advice and avenues become very very important. I think it it's most at it's most basic sense. Please know you're not alone. There are Cancer Support groups there are organizations whose sole purpose is to help you understand that you need to get your screenings and then if you're diagnosed help you understand what the resources are that are out there to help you and so you know even if you don't have. A support group. Even if you can't. Afford it there are avenues in which you can get both. You know one of the things that that kind of came out of the woodwork after I went public with people who were contacting me and saying hey I was just diagnosed with cancer what can I expect can you help me those of us that have been through this you know certainly you you don't know everyone out there who's got cancer but. Most of us know somebody who's out an health issue and it doesn't have to be cancer I would say. Talk to them and ask them for for their help their prayers just to come close to you to help you get through that and you know it's easy to be to despair but you know the human spirit. Is in can be so great if we just choose to not isolate ourselves but choose to reach out if we if we don't know someone who? You know on their own accord comes to you and says I want to help you. Please reach out to others whether it be those organizations that are there to help your healthcare provider ask them questions but that's the best advice I can give and just to let you know that. You're not alone.
Mackenzie Jones:
Tim that's that's beautiful and. Encouraging for folks across our communities to reach out. As someone who may need help but also someone who can provide that support to others let people know that you're there Tim in this discussion you and I both have talked about based on our experience that we had resources. In place that we could easily access in order to. Get that diagnosis or get that screening how would you encourage folks even if they feel like they don't have those resources at the tip of their fingers how do you still encourage folks to go get screenings or go visit a doctor.
Tim Fox:
Let me just say that I think it starts with fostering a healthy lifestyle don't wait for the healthcare crisis to cause you to maybe change some of your eating habits or your exercise habits or sleeping habits or whatever it might be and I know from my own experience that that's easy to say. And not so easy to actually do I mean we it's the tyranny of the urgent right you've got a family to provide for maybe you're going to school and you gotta get you know your school work done or maybe you just think you're invincible you're gonna live forever well I got news for you. That's not gonna happen and there are so many advances in things like diet and exercise and all these different lifestyle things you know keeping your stress down that make a difference in the long run so that you'll be less susceptible to having a healthcare crisis down the road. Getting screenings as part of that but to your point Mackenzie not everybody has healthcare insurance. Not everybody has the wherewithal even to pay for their deductibles or what have you and depending on where you are and any given time in your life. If you? May have had. Those resources and then lost them because of something catastrophic what have you I think a couple of good things to know aside from living a healthy lifestyle now and not waiting until you're diagnosed with something terrible is to know that in Montana you can't be turned away. The emergency room now that's not the best way to get health care but if you don't have insurance. And you know you're not feeling well or what have you there are options there and every hospital in Montana I believe and if not all many are required to give a certain percentage of their healthcare services in a charitable way right. Particularly if they hold themselves out as a a charitable hospital or a charitable clinic and so the extreme is is that. We do have bankruptcy laws and that's one of the reasons they're there for is for people who have some sort of catastrophic expense like a healthcare crisis who can't afford to pay for it. And again I you know those are difficult options difficult decisions to make but I would rather that people live a healthy lifestyle. No. Get the help they need get the screenings they need and worry about the rest of it later. Because the alternative is is to let it go let it fester get worse. And that's not a good option at all you know I just want to encourage people that there are avenues there are ways take care of yourself. Get what you need and worry about the other things later.
Mackenzie Jones:
As someone who has needed infusions or biologic medication every 8 weeks for the past 10 years I have had an incredible advocate at the local hospital here in Helena and she has made sure that my insurance will cover. That. And that medication and there's that repay back program so that I can afford it because it is extremely expensive and so I just want to shout out that there are folks at hospitals and clinics that are there to support and advocate with you alongside you in case. You are struggling with different barriers in order to access care. Syria wanted to. Ask you a little bit more about the Montana cancer coalition tell us what. What impact they're making in the community even if they're not providing direct services how are they supporting cancer screening and prevention in Montana?
Sheylee Stowers:
The Montana cancer coalition is great but put short they're overarching goal is to reduce the burden of cancer for all montanans through like a collaborative network of public and private partners. And so they cover anything across the cancer continuum anything from treatment to screening to living well during and after their cancer experiences so they have a couple of implementation teams and each of them kind of focus on a different aspect of cancer care that needs to be addressed so we have the quality of life. Survivorship group we have a pediatric cancer implementation team and so on and so forth so really the coalition in itself is pretty comprehensive in terms of what they cover but if you want more information of like what resources. Are available through the cancer coalition I would hop over to Mt cancer coalition.org on there one of my favorite resources that we have is a statewide cancer resource map so you can go on there and click through your community or your reading to see what's available to you and in addition to local and statewide resources there's also a plethora of national resources? On our website that you can go find the members of the coalition are just people throughout the state of Montana who are engaged in the cancer realm in some way shape or form and who are passionate about serving montanan communities. In some of those people do come from our like some statewide partners such as Cancer Support community Montana they have a chapter in Missoula and Bozeman and then they're working to open a chapter up here in Helena they also offer a number of cancer services anything from like I said earlier screening.
But then.
Sheylee Stowers:
Treatment over to like emotional and physical support during and after your cancer experience yeah I I love them over there they they do so much for for montanans thank you Shelley so Tam we're going to kind of go back to a question that is a little out of order recognizing that.
Mackenzie Jones:
When you went public with your story you made a huge positive impact in the lives of many and you received positive support from Special Olympics from your family from many other people that you worked with including your thesis supervisor? On the flip side. What negative responses if any did you receive after going public and how did that impact you?
Sure you know.
Tim Fox:
Thanks for the question of candy I think the most prominent negative thing was I did run for another public office and you know that was a couple years later after I went public with my cancer and it did come up in the campaign where it was it was weaponized. If you will to I guess I think their goal was to argue that? You know I wasn't fit to continue to be in public office because of the uncertainties of my health and. That's very unfortunate that's just you know one example I guess of human nature and politics is a blood sport I remember the first time I ran for public office I ran for attorney general back in 2008 and I sat down with some people who've been very involved in politics and they told. Like one of the things they told me was is are there or they asked me first of all are there any skeletons in your closet. You know anything that if it became public would you know have a negative impact on your campaign and your election but beyond that they told me listen. If they can't find that and they'll look they'll they'll look deeply your opponents will look deeply to try to find something to hit you with if they can't find it they'll make it up? So that's the nature of politics it's very unfortunate because good people decide you know why would I want to run for office because of those kinds of things but don't let that deter you because you know we need good people to run for public office at every level. But so anyway that that. Was probably the most prevalent thing was that? And it was it was somewhat limited it you know it wasn't everybody but and who knows you know in the back of the mind of a voter whether that made a difference at all I I truly think that you know most people would applaud coming public. With the health crisis I think most people can relate to that whether they've had their own health crisis or someone close to them has had a crisis other than that there wasn't a lot of negativity to going public with my cancer by far and large it was very positive. And as I said you know irrespective of the noise out there and maybe some negativity. The fact that people credit me with helping save their. Right and as you put it Mackenzie I have no idea the scope of that how many people were prompted I'm hopeful that you know the ripple effect was far and wide and and so that's one of the reasons I'm here today to talk about something very public and that's why I applaud you. For talking about your experience too to be blunt I'd rather go through a little. Discomfort then be dead.
Mackenzie Jones:
Thanks Tim sometimes we need to be a little blunt in order to share our message who have been in the mission 8 years is that correct.
You.
Tim Fox:
That's correct.
Mackenzie Jones:
How has? You're after care Ben how is being diagnosed with cancer changed your life and how have you lived these past 8 years differently.
Tim Fox:
My aftercare in a nutshell has been annual colonoscopies for a period of about 5 years an annual blood tests and CT scans II get CT scans and MRI 's mixed up what one of them uses. Radiation like an X-ray but I I did those each year for 5. Yours blood test there's actually a marker a blood marker for colon cancer which in my case was not very useful because even when I was initially diagnosed with my markers were normal or low but for other people that might be an important aspect of getting a blood test is to test for that marker. And then you know. My healthcare providers have been great I I got my swollen resection surgery at Mayo Clinic as I mentioned. But I I came home for my aftercare and and did that locally here in Montana and healthcare providers were absolutely incredible so that was from a a medical standpoint that's kind of what I went through for 5 years and then after 5 years they went to a 3 year. Colonoscopy which I just got last year there was a. Some minor polyps that were not malignant and so now I've been told that I can wait 5 years for my next one. But I will continue the annual blood tests and they're moving from the radiation type scan to a non radiation scan so that I'm not exposed anymore than I need to be to the radiation. All of that was. You know very workable you know after you've had a couple of colonoscopies it's kind of routine if you will. And and and the. The colonoscopy itself is not a big. Deal. In the big scheme of things the aftercare was. Not a big deal you know I I watch what I eat now I've tried to be on what the doctors call a Mediterranean diet exercise of course I. You know Iran track and field for many many years even beyond college and would love to compete I was kind of always on a brendlin junkie but I I had really fallen off of that in my 40s and into my 50s. And so now I'm back to you know walking more at 68 I'm I'm not going to be you know I used to be a a a hurdler I'm not gonna be hurdling over any barriers anymore but just stay in active active lifestyle don't let the dust settle on you and the. You know the research out there about just walking later in life you know getting in. 3000 4000 steps a day it's medically proven to extend life expectancies and so those shouldn't be big deals but you know again back to the tyranny of the urgent so many of us just don't make time for that so you actually have to schedule it you have to put it on your calendar.
Mackenzie Jones:
A healthy lifestyle is not just about prevention that once you have a chronic condition it doesn't mean oh that's it we didn't we didn't do it we need to it's actually encouragement to to keep going forward to think about having a nutritious diet and exercising and decreasing stress as. As Tim said and really optimizing health even if you don't feel like you are at that typical. Healthy level as someone who doesn't have a chronic disease you still have the value and can find a way to make the most of. Your health moving forward in order to sustain your life and be there for the people that you love. A resource that I wanted to mention to add to Shelley 's resources from. The cancer coalition includes the accessible mammography directory so this is a directory that my program the Montana disability and health program put together and it references every mammography clinic in Montana it talks about whether those clinics are accessible. What types of accessible features they have with that I don't have any more questions for? You Tim what. What else would you like to share is there something that we missed in this conversation?
Tim Fox:
Well I mean just the fact that you all reached out to me and and that connection came from my friend Stacy who is a Special Olympics athlete who I think serves on one of these boards she's a cancer survivor. Fiber and she reached out to me and we stay in touch a lot so I'm thankful for Stacy having suggested that maybe I might be someone but we're coming up in March right and and I think this airs in March on colon cancer. Awareness month right and for me colon cancer awareness month is every month of the year I just hope that people talk about this you know whether you've had cancer you know whether you know someone who's had cancer of any way shape or form. If you listen to this podcast and I hope many people do I would just encourage you if you're listening to this and you learn something new or maybe you were just you know spurred on or encouraged to to visit with somebody about it maybe you have a brother or sister or? A mom or a dad or kids or whatever that you've never had those conversations with them about. Healthy lifestyle getting your screenings supporting people in your community who may have a health crisis and just doing what montanans do which is caring for others please don't let your knowledge and or questions. Stay with you going. Forward let's have those conversations let's make a difference you know in the lives of individuals which again with the ripple effect benefits us all that's what I would leave you all with is just don't don't let it end here let's have those conversations let's get answers to those questions let's take care of ourselves and let's get those screenings.
Mackenzie Jones:
Thank you Tim Sheylee what would you like to leave listeners with.
Sheylee Stowers:
Uh I just want to put a little plug in so if anybody is passionate about cancer and not even just cancer but serving montanans and being a part of the cancer realm we offer you to join the Montana cancer colors and you can find the link to join over on that website again it's Mt cancer coalition dot. Org and we would really really appreciate it if you join we value any input that you have any comments you have and any. Advice that you might.
Mackenzie Jones:
Have thank you for listening to the talking health and the 406 podcast where we are one community under the Big Sky I am your host Mackenzie Jones and we'd like to thank our guests 10 Fox for sharing his incredible story and Sheylee Stowers for giving us related resources if you would like more information on what you heard today? Visit our website at talking health in the406.mt.gov that's talking health and the406.nt.gov if you haven't already Please remember to rate review and subscribe thank you and have a wonderful rest of your day.