Conquering the Vast Ocean as a Bowel Cancer Patient: A Fisherman's Joyful Sea Fishing Life | Patient Story
Author | Shou Liang
Editor | Guangguang & Xianning
「 It All Started with Fishing 」
Before sharing my treatment journey, I want to talk about fishing. On October 14, 2024, I set out to the boundless sea with my fishing buddies once again. This time, our target was the Sanxing waters near Qushan Island in the Zhoushan Archipelago.
Every year around this season, the fourfinger threadfin (known locally as "Zhangtiao," a dream catch for sea anglers due to its speed, fighting power, and delicious meat) migrates from the Yangtze River estuary to the South China Sea. By February of the following year, they migrate back from the Sanya area to the Yangtze estuary to spawn. On October 12, we learned of a high-density fish school in our target area. After just 10 seconds of hesitation, we decided to go. We ended up catching 8 fish, returning fully satisfied.
「 Sympathizing with a Fellow Angler with Bowel Cancer 」
Getting to the main point, I initially thought cancer was far from me. As someone who cherishes life, I have faithfully undergone annual health checkups since entering middle age. From CEA tests to full biochemical panels and various imaging scans, every result was perfect. I happily believed I would continue to roam the seas healthily and joyfully until old age, forever battling the ocean like Hemingway's old man!
The first time I heard the words "bowel cancer" was from a fishing buddy (who is also in the Panda group now). I clearly remember it was February 2022. During a group chat, he mentioned he had been diagnosed with bowel cancer and probably wouldn't be able to fish for a while. My heart instantly sank. I felt so sorry for him. Although he spoke lightly, whether he could ever fish again was uncertain. Fortunately, he is now lively and back in the fishing circle.
「 From Supporting Role to Protagonist 」
June 8, 2022, was the darkest moment of my life. That day, a tumor was detected. On June 9, an expedited pathology report confirmed bowel cancer, stage T3NxMx. After completing a series of tests, I was blessed with no distant metastasis.
Here, I must explain why I mentioned sea fishing at the beginning. A buddy who also loves sea fishing has had multiple intestinal polyps, so he gets a colonoscopy every year. Through our daily interactions, he constantly emphasized that people our age need to get a colonoscopy. Even though he dreaded drinking the bowel prep solution, he kept repeating that caution ensures longevity.
Under his persistent influence, I finally decided to get one. When he scheduled his follow-up colonoscopy, I booked my first one to accompany him. Just like those cliché TV plots where you accompany a friend to an audition and get cast yourself, this time I became the protagonist, directly "pinned to the hospital bed" by bowel cancer.
「 Choosing the Hospital 」
My anti-cancer journey was actually quite straightforward. After being diagnosed at Zhe Er Hospital on June 9, after careful consideration, I chose Da Vinci robotic surgery. On June 11, President Ding Kefeng's team successfully performed the operation for me.
On the 9th, lying in the hospital bed before surgery, I thought a lot. It would be a lie to say I wasn't nervous or scared. First, my child is still young, and I want to live to see her start her own family and career. Second, as an only child, I worried about who would care for my aging parents. On the day of admission, I cried in my mother's arms. After releasing those emotions, I bravely embarked on the treatment journey.
Because my family knew Professor Xu Jianmin from Zhongshan Hospital, out of concern, they sent him my pre-op reports. Professor Xu advised immediate surgery and offered to perform it himself. However, after weighing everything, I ultimately chose Zhe Er Hospital. First, it's very close to home with excellent facilities, and a doctor friend there arranged surgery with President Ding's team, which felt very reliable. Second, although pandemic controls were easing, they weren't fully lifted. Besides fishing, I'm someone who hates trouble. Now, I'm very glad about my choice. Zhe Er's technology is truly trustworthy, routine checkups are convenient, and the day chemotherapy center is very considerate.
「 Hardship Turns into a Surprise 」
At diagnosis, the primary tumor was located 7cm from the dentate line. Before surgery, the doctor told me sphincter preservation should be fine, but a temporary stoma might be necessary. Deep down, I really didn't want a stoma; I hoped for a one-time closure. But I comforted myself: survival comes first, and the rest is up to fate.
Before admission on the 10th, I took a full-body nude photo in the mirror as a souvenir, thinking it might be my last photo of a perfect, scar-free body. I later deleted it, along with all personal photos from my treatment period, effectively deleting this cancer chapter from my life.
Since the next day was the last day before surgery, and knowing I wouldn't be able to enjoy good food for a long time, I secretly ordered BBQ takeout at the hospital to satisfy my cravings. Three hours later, I had to start taking laxatives to completely clear my bowels for surgery.
However, my pre-op prayers didn't go as planned. On the 12th, when my attending physician, Director Xiao Qian, made his rounds, I learned I had received a temporary stoma. Perhaps years of going out to sea had taught me to go with the flow. The moment I found out, I felt at peace, accepted it calmly, and waited for the reversal.
Soon, the post-op pathology results came out: T3N2, with three lymph node metastases and one perineural invasion. The follow-up treatment plan was to start 4+4 cycles of CapeOX one month post-op, with stoma reversal planned within 3 to 6 months.
「 A Miracle Descends 」
During my 15-day post-op follow-up, Dr. Xiao suggested a genetic test to understand the cause of my bowel cancer. Since my family works in genetic research, I thought it could help predict my future health, so I readily agreed and took the test.
After my second chemotherapy session, the genetic test results came back. By then, I had joined the Panda group. Although I had learned a lot about bowel cancer, I couldn't understand the genetic report at all, so I posted it directly in the Panda Digestive Group 4, waiting for the experts to analyze it.
Half an hour later, when I checked the group, I found it buzzing. Everyone was discussing my report. They said I had won the jackpot, being a legendary "chosen one": wild-type + POLE mutation.
Looking back at that night, I was stunned for a while. I only understood from their messages that I no longer needed to fear the future. Even if it recurred, I would have targeted treatments available. Ultimately, my attending doctor adjusted my follow-up plan: stopping oxaliplatin but continuing oral capecitabine monotherapy.
「 A Little Experience to Share 」
In short, my treatment journey was smooth without major ups and downs, so I don't have much to share. However, early on, I struggled with whether to tell others about my diagnosis. I believe many of you might face the same dilemma.
I actually shared it on my WeChat Moments. I've always felt deeply cared for by my friends. I wanted to use my experience to remind those around me to complete early cancer screenings as soon as possible, to take responsibility for themselves, and to be the primary guardians of their own health. As far as I know, two of my friends have already discovered precancerous lesions through colonoscopies. What a blessing.
「 Gratitude and Courage 」
In the Panda group, I am a patient. But at home, I am also a caregiver for a cancer patient. My father has prostate cancer with bone metastasis. Through learning and communicating in the Panda group, I have accumulated a lot of knowledge, which allows me to manage his condition competently and scientifically.
Finally, I want to share my understanding of happiness. It must be while fishing. In front of the vast ocean, everyone is equal. Rich or poor, you can lay down life's burdens. There are no daily chores, no mortgage or car loan pressures. As long as you catch a fish, you are the brightest star on the boat!
The Qushan Island fishing trip is now in the past. My most recent ocean conquest began on November 29, departing from Shitang Pier in Taizhou for a 9-day journey to the Miyako Strait in the Okinawa Trough. Carefully planned by our captain, 22 of us anglers set sail for the deep sea once again.
Our destination was fishing zones 1896 and 1955 near Japan (roughly speaking, just 5 more hours would reach Japanese territorial waters, making it the closest operational zone for Chinese fishing vessels to Japan). Target species included: threadfin bream, blackthroat seaperch, golden pineapple fish, hairtail, bluefin tuna, yellowfin tuna, and grouper.
The voyage from the pier to the destination took about 36 hours. On the return trip, we were blessed with a surprise: a pod of dolphins. Fellow anglers say seeing dolphins brings good luck. I hope all our group members continue to sail smoothly and thrive!
To protect patient privacy, the name used in this article is a pseudonym.
Images featuring the patient have been authorized by the patient and may not be used without permission.
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