Facing the cold hard facts of colon cancer

An estimated 150,000 people in America will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer this year, and while progress is being made to prevent and treat the disease, tragically more than 57,000 will die from it. Michael and Erin Stennis learned the hard facts about colon cancer in the worst possible way. This is their story:

Michael Stennis, an ex-football player, was the picture of health: 43, fit, a businessman who owned a chain of successful restaurants. He and his wife Erin were been married for 14 years and had two children a son, Michael junior, and a daughter, Pilar.

“He had a lot of strength of character. He was amazing. He wasn't afraid of voicing his opinions.  He loved his friends. He loved his children were his life. He was a family man. He believed in fighting for everything if he really believed in something,” explains his wife, Erin Stennis. 

Confronting Colon Cancer Learn more about Katie Couric's special series on "Today": Day 1: 'People should not put off screening' Day 2: Facing cold facts of colon cancer Day 3: Coping with tragedy of colon cancer   Day 4: Survivors share their stories Learn more about colorectal cancer prevention, detection and treatment: MSNBC Health: Test your knowledge of colon cancer National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance

It's hard to believe such a vibrant man would have such a difficult fight ahead of him. Three years earlier when he was just 40, Michael started experiencing irregular bowel habits and rectal bleeding. He thought it was nothing serious.

“He had blood in his stool. He went to the doctor. Unbeknownst to me, the doctor suggested that he have a colonoscopy. And my husband, being that very macho man -- did not want anything invasive,” says Stennis, “He just could not imagine, as many men and women, but especially men -- can't imagine that type of procedure taking place. So he came home. And he said, ‘Well, they're going to treat me for hemorrhoids,’ and that was it.”

But a few years later Erin realized there was something very wrong with her husband.

“It got to the point where he was having such severe pain. Because he was an athlete, he sucked it up. If I feel something, oh, you know, I can work it out. But it got to the point where the pain became so severe. And finally in November of that year, I walked into our bedroom and I saw him hunched over in the closet,” says Stennis.

Michael finally went in for a colonoscopy. And on the evening of their daughter's Thanksgiving pageant, they got a call from their family doctor and friend, Peter Waldstein.

“My husband was on one side of the room with the camera and I was on the other side of the room. And we were waiting for her class to come in. And his cell phone went off. And I could see him on the phone. And I could just see this change in his face. It was our dear friend, Peter, calling to tell us both the news. And then at that moment, our daughter walked in with her class.  And we knew from that moment on that our lives had changed forever,” she explains, “He was diagnosed at Stage IV.”

The cancer had spread from Michael's colon and had metastasized to his liver.

“We came home from that Thanksgiving pageant. And he sat in his chair and it was just as if a cloud came over him,” says Stennis, “I think my husband stayed in that place for maybe, about a week. And then we just had to kick into this gear: ‘Okay, let's get information. Let's find out about this. We're gonna fight this, arm ourselves with as much information as we can.’"

But treating Michael wasn't enough. The Stennis' decided to establish a foundation in their family's name. One that would educate others.

“In our community, church is very important,” explains Stennis, “So I think that's why we were led to that particular venue. And because we have always been involved in our community and the minority community, we felt that would be our focus.”

In fact, minorities seem to be more susceptible to colon cancer. For reasons doctors still don't completely understand. Because of that, centers like the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, are planning broad health-education initiatives in inner-city communities. Dr. Robert Mayer is the head of the gastrointestinal oncology at Dana Farber.

“What our program will hopefully do is build bridges that extend to generalize healthcare to try to make healthcare access equivalent. And then we'll really learn whether colorectal cancer in the black population is the same disease, or whether it's something different.

MSNBC HEALTH: COLON CANCER Colon cancer deaths could make big drop The colon cancer death rate in 2020 could be half of what it was in 2000, due to better screening and treatment, says a new report from the American Cancer Society. Colon cancer’s return predicted with new test Medicare won't cover 'virtual colonoscopy' Hormone therapy may lower colon cancer risk Using 2 newer drugs may worsen colon cancer

Thanks to programs like those at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and advocates like Erin and Michael, people are seeing the light.

Michael helped spread the word for as long as he could.

“He actually went into the pulpit at the churches and told his story. He was amazing. I think, by being a young man in the throes of it, an otherwise healthy looking man, I think it made people look at themselves and say, ‘You know what? This could be me. So I need to find out more information. I need to go get screened,’" recalls Stennis.

After 18 months, Michael was getting weaker, but he mustered up the strength for one last family trip to Disney World.

“He couldn't last an entire day in a park. He was good for maybe four hours every day,” says Stennis, “He was committed to the fact that he wanted his children to have this experience with him. He wanted to make this happen for them.”

Three months later Michael Stennis died. He was 45 years old.

Since Michael's death, Erin has continued the crusade she and Michael started together, speaking at local churches, health fairs and galvanizing others. She's even been recognized by the city for her active role in educating the community.

“The response has been tremendous. You know, there's this ripple effect. And by what we've gone through, we are just effecting change. People are getting tested. People know about this disease. Churches are calling us, wanting us to come out. Health fairs are wanting us to be a part of their program,” says Stennis.

“The last words that he ever said to me were, ‘Slow down.’ And right along with that, he would say, "Keep fighting," she says.

MORE FROM HEALTH

Health Section Front

13 slimming gifts for food and fitness lovers A sausage tree? 9 fattiest holiday dishes     Health care bill passes key Senate vote     Prescription pill-popping putting women at risk     Protect your kids from playroom germs 1 in 110 children have autism, study finds Ganja chefs serve up medical pot for foodies She lost 110 pounds, gained her life back   How do you know if you get enough sleep? Do you ever wonder why you’re so tired? Health Section Front   Add Health headlines to your news reader: