New Directions		Question & Answer		Surgical Spotlight
Mother & Son		Importance of Registries		Helping Others
Research Update		Code of Silence		Patient Advocacy
Patient Perspective

Patient Perspective
Olgierd ‘Al’ Wodzianski is glad he had the opportunity to participate in the calcium study. At the end of the study and after his most recent colonoscopy this past March, he says, “I was relieved to hear that no new polyps were found, and that I didn’t need to come back for a colonoscopy for another 5 years.” Before this last check, Mr. Wodzianski said that polyps were found, and removed, at each of his colonoscopies, performed every three years.

Mr. Wodzianski’s history of polyps dates back about 12 years, when he came to the Cleveland Clinic at age 50 for a comprehensive physical. “I was getting remarried and wanted to make sure everything was OK,” he said. “Well, I got a clean bill of health on all my tests, except on the (digital) rectal exam. Fortunately, it was part of my physical. I hope the calcium study will allow others to hear the same good news that I did: ‘no polyps.’”

For more information on any of the treatment topics covered in this article, please call Dr. Carol Burke, M.D., Department of Gastroenterology, at 216/444-6864, or 800/223-2273, ext. 46864.