‘She saved my life’: A colorectal cancer survivor’s story of timing, teamwork and trust
March 01, 2026
Gary Sheesley knows how close he came.
What began as lingering pain from a ruptured appendix, ultimately was something far more serious and deadly – Stage 4 colorectal cancer.
Today, the 57-year-old Colver resident calls himself fortunate. Fortunate that Conemaugh Health System’s colorectal team kept searching and testing. Fortunate that the cancer was discovered when it was. And fortunate for Conemaugh colorectal surgeon Dr. Karleigh Curfman, whom he credits with saving his life.
“I was very lucky,” Gary said. “If it wouldn’t have been for the appendix, no doubt the cancer would’ve spread everywhere. And I wouldn’t be alive today.”
The diagnosis
For months, Gary had been dealing with illness related to the appendix – fever, chills and pain that would come and go. But scans also showed an abnormality near his appendix.
“Initially, they thought it could’ve been an abscess,” he said. “They weren’t sure. But they kept looking and testing.”
A colonoscopy provided the answer: Stage 4 colorectal cancer.
Despite the seriousness of the diagnosis, Gary’s first reaction wasn’t fear – it was resolve.
“All I could think of was, ‘I’m going to do what I’ve got to do to beat this,’” he said. “I tried to stay positive the whole way through.”
Still, the weight of the news was heavy – especially knowing what cancer had already taken from his family. Both of his parents died of esophageal cancer five years apart. His mother was 64; his father, just 59.
“Because of my family history, I always felt like something was coming,” he said.
Fast action, decisive care
Dr. Curfman met with Gary immediately after the colonoscopy last June, explained the findings and scheduled an operation. Within weeks, he was in surgery.
“Doctor Curfman didn’t waste time,” he said. “I didn’t have to wait and worry. She was up front and fast, directing everything, explaining what was going to happen, and she got me into surgery very quickly. She was amazing. She saved my life.”
Dr. Curfman removed 16 inches of Gary’s colon, his appendix, 22 lymph nodes and surrounding tissue – all in one procedure.
Smooth recovery, strong support
“I went back to normal life a week after the surgery,” Gary said. “And now, other than feeling a bit tired after chemotherapy (he has completed 11 of 12 sessions), I feel great. I’m doing anything I want. No restrictions.”
Gary says “trust, compassion and communication” defined his experience at Conemaugh.
He praises the expert, diligent care and support of Dr. Curfman and her entire care team – especially Melissa Brubaker, colorectal surgery coordinator, and Missie Myers, oncology nurse navigator.
Living fully, looking back
Looking back, Gary realizes how easily the cancer could have gone undetected – and ended his life.
“I didn’t really have any symptoms from the cancer,” he said. “Without the appendix problem, I wouldn’t have known. Bottom line is I was just lucky, especially for someone who kept avoiding a colonoscopy. Extremely lucky.”
But he’s now taking steps to ensure his luck doesn’t run out.
“It was my fault that I kept putting off colorectal screening. But no longer,” he said. “I tell everyone how important it is to have a colonoscopy. There’s nothing to it – and it could save your life. Like it did for me.”