An issue with acid reflux led Greg Grobmyer, then 36, to visit his doctor in 2009. A blood test revealed that he was anemic, and the doctor suspected Grobmyer had a bleeding ulcer in his esophagus.
When they didn’t find anything, the doctor recommended a colonoscopy.
The 2018 Greater Chattanooga Rump Run 5K and Fun Walk for Colon Cancer Awareness drew 642 participants. This year’s event is set for Saturday, March 9 at Enterprise South Nature Park. / Photo contributed by Greg GrobmyerWith no history of cancer in his family, a colon cancer diagnosis was the last thing Grobmyer expected.
“It was not on my radar at all,” said Grobmyer, then a practicing dentist in Jackson, Tennessee.
During the colonoscopy, doctors found a cancerous growth that needed to be removed – surgery was performed that day to remove the entire right side of his colon. Grobmyer then went through 12 rounds of chemotherapy, which left his hands and feet numb and rendered him unable to practice dentistry.