"Cancer was the last thing on my mind."

She knew the moment the doctor walked into the room that it was bad news.

Last May’s colorectal-cancer prognosis was sudden, unexpected and shocking for Irmarie Soto-Ortiz, a 49-year-old mother of four.

“Cancer was the last thing on my mind. I had no symptoms. No pain, no weight loss or sickness,” said Irmarie, a-stay-at-home mom and home-school teacher.

“The only other time I was in a hospital was to have my babies. So, this was something very new – and terrifying.”

Months earlier, she had accompanied her husband, Andy (a telecommunications engineer), to his colonoscopy. When the physician – Dr. Maurice Barnes – visited him in the recovery room after the procedure, he simply stood there for a moment and said, “You’re good. See you in three years for your next colonoscopy.”

But for Irmarie, the same physician, Dr. Barnes, walked in slowly, pulled up a chair and sat down. “I knew then and there it was serious news,” she said.

“He told me I had a cancerous mass and that he would refer me to a surgeon. But he also said thanks to the colonoscopy, they caught it early.

“Then he told me a story about his mother. He said she had cancer at about the same age as me. But they discovered it early and she lived into her 90s. My head was spinning, but that helped settle me down a little.”

Her next stop was at the Corner Coffee Shop near her home in Geistown to absorb the diagnosis. Irmarie and Andy discussed how they would break the bad news to their children – three daughters (ages 21,15 and 12) and a son (13).

“Andy’s philosophy was if they have to cry for something terrible, let them know about everything all at once. Then let them have a hard cry,” she said.

“We prayed and decided to hold off telling our children until we had the CAT scan and lab results, the surgery scheduled, and all the details.”

Meanwhile, she told only two others about her cancer: her parish priest – who prayed with her and provided spiritual direction and special blessings – and a close friend and fellow devout Catholic.

It would be about four weeks until Irmarie and Andy discussed her cancer with their children. During that time, she took phone calls from the hospital privately in her bedroom or bathroom.

“We stayed busy with our church, our family’s music ministry and schooling. Andy and I continued to teach marriage classes to engaged couples. We never stopped living life. And all of that helped me through the process,” Irmarie said.

Her surgery was to be performed by Dr. Karleigh Curfman.

“Just talking with Dr. Curfman gave me a lot of confidence. She explained everything in the most simple words: ‘This is what you have, this is what your lab work says, it doesn't look like it's spreading, and this is what how I’m going to operate. This is how long you’ll be in the hospital. And it’s too early to know if you’ll need an ostomy bag after the operation, but I’ll do my best to avoid it.’ That’s what she told me.”

Irmarie said her experience at Conemaugh was wonderful.

“Every single person – the nurse who prepared me and did my IV, the anesthesiologist, and, of course, Dr. Curfman – were very, very kind. Very gentle,” she said.

The robotic surgery was a resounding success. Dr. Curfman had to remove 12 inches of colon. In total, the colon is about 5 to 6 feet long. Irmarie didn’t require an ostomy bag or undergo any post-operation radiation or chemotherapy.

“Dr. Curfman told me no cancer was left. And all the tests confirmed that,” Irmarie said. “Now, I have to wait five years until I’m officially cancer-free. I’m looking forward to passing my next colonoscopy and every one after that.

“For me, it’s all about having faith in God. My family is very strong spiritually. That’s where it all starts. It’s our driving force.”

Her advice to others is simple and straightforward.

“Please check for symptoms. If you’re over 45, get a colonoscopy. See a doctor annually – even if you’re feeling great, like I was. The key is to catch it early and have it removed. And pray.”