Ann Connelly of St. Paul was diagnosed with colorectal cancer the first time in 2001. A year ago, she had a minor recurrence that was caught early and also successfully treated. Connelly describes herself as 100 percent pure Minnesotan. She's happily married and for the past dozen years, she has worked in the technology division of an international publishing company.

"I was only 40 years old and had no family history when I was diagnosed the first time with colorectal cancer," Connelly says.

When the shock wore off, Connelly developed a criteria list of what she wanted from the place she chose for her care. She shopped around at some of Minnesota's best health care facilities and was thrilled to find out that the University of Minnesota exceeded all of the expectations on her list.

"I realized it was a jewel right here in my own backyard," she says.

When Connelly became a patient at the University, she says she was made the center of attention of an all-star medical team. The captain of her medical team was Edward Greeno, M.D., a medical oncologist who specializes in treatment of gastrointestinal cancer. He is an associate professor and the medical director of the Masonic Cancer Clinic at the University.

Greeno coordinated Connelly's care with other physicians and he monitored her through all of her treatments. He continues to provide her follow-up care.

One of the things she appreciated from Dr. Greeno was the thorough explanations of her cancer and its treatment.

"I typed out lists of questions and gave them to Dr. Greeno," she says. "He worked overtime to explain everything to me."

"I've been reassured every step of the way that the University of Minnesota is the best place for me. I've directly benefited from the University's wonderful, amazing, and dedicated medical team. They saved my life, and because of them, I'm living in faith, not fear."
— Ann Connelly

Connelly's treatment included radiation, surgery, and chemotherapy. Chung Lee, M.D., professor of therapeutic radiology, oversaw tests to pinpoint the location of Connelly's tumor as well as her radiation therapy.

After radiation came surgery. Connelly considers her surgeon, David Rothenberger, M.D., as one of the best colorectal surgeons in the nation. On meeting him, she remembers thinking, "He has big hands for a surgeon."

She explains the outcome of her surgery this way: "Rectal tumor removal is a risky surgery because you want to make sure to remove the entire tumor but still be able to reconnect everything.

"Once again, my expectations were exceeded. The highly skilled Dr. Rothenberger performed the surgery so well that I did not have to have a permanent colostomy."

During radiation and surgery treatment, Connelly also underwent six months of chemotherapy.

After the treatments, Connelly remained in remission for about three-and-a-half years and then a year ago, a state-of-the-art PET scanning procedure showed cancer in her lymph nodes. Dr. Greeno prescribed a dual therapy—chemotherapy plus a new drug called Avastin. He explained that the Masonic Cancer Center participated in the clinical trials on Avastin that resulted in its approval by the Food and Drug Administration about two years ago. Once again, Connelly was impressed that the University was proactive and involved in this advancement.

"I've been reassured every step of the way that the University of Minnesota is the best place for me," Connelly says. "I've directly benefited from the University's wonderful, amazing, and dedicated medical team. They saved my life, and because of them, I'm living in faith, not fear."

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This story was originally published in News from your Cancer Center, Spring 2007.