Why Choose Fox Chase? »Success Stories »Colorectal Cancer

Very Low Rectal Cancer

In January 2004 when most people were recovering from the holidays, Rita Schaeffer went to her doctor because she had a painful infection. At age 62, Rita quickly learned she had rectal cancer.

Living in Reading, Pennsylvania, Rita and her family were well aware of Fox Chase Cancer Center and its reputation as a national leader in cancer treatment. Rita explained, "I met with a local surgeon who was very cold. I figured even with a 2-hour ride to Fox Chase, it would be worth getting a second opinion."

"Once I met Dr. Watson, I knew we made the right choice!"

James C. Watson, MD, FACS, is a surgeon who specializes in gastrointestinal cancers, including anorectal cancers. "Dr. Watson is honest and direct, which is what we needed to hear," Rita continued.

"Dr. Watson told us the truth in a way that gives you hope."

Before Rita could undergo surgery, she needed a round of chemotherapy and radiation therapy to shrink the tumor so that surgery could be more successful. Because she lives in Reading, Rita was able to have her daily treatment close to home at the Reading Hospital, a Fox Chase Cancer Center Partner hospital. Her care was coordinated between her local doctors and Dr. Watson.

"It was so convenient being able to have my chemo and radiation close to home in Reading, but my surgery at Fox Chase."

"The nurses at Fox Chase were unreal. They were there for me every second. I never had to wait to be seen."

After several months of preoperative therapy, Rita was ready for surgery at Fox Chase. "The nurses at Fox Chase were unreal. They were there for me every second. I never had to wait to be seen. I think they only have 2 patients at a time, so they were always by my door," she explained. "The nurses at Fox Chase don't let you suffer. They were like my guardian angels. They have a special gift to do what they do."

As soon as Rita recovered from surgery, she returned to Reading for a final round of chemotherapy. "I like to think of the additional chemo as an insurance policy. It lowered the chance of the cancer returning," said Rita, who still manages a colostomy bag, but is grateful to have survived cancer.

"If the cancer returns, I would go to Fox Chase again and again."

Rita and her husband of 47 years are glad they chose Fox Chase. "G-d forbid, if the cancer returns, I would go to Fox Chase again and again," she said.

"I tell everyone this babysitting job will either kill me or make me young. I'm still here, so you know what that means!"

Several months before her diagnosis, Rita had retired from her job at school watching the latch-key kids before and after class hours. When she started feeling lousy, she "figured it was time to retire."

Four years after her cancer treatment, Rita rarely sits still. She watches her one-year-old great-grandson, Cooper, while her granddaughter works. "He makes my heart happy. I tell everyone this babysitting job will either kill me or make me young. I'm still here, so you know what that means!" Rita chuckled.

Learn more about rectal cancer treatment at Fox Chase Cancer Center.