An athlete opened up about being diagnosed with stage 3 rectal cancer. (stock image)Credit: Edwin Tan / Getty
A 47-year-old athlete shared the single symptom that led to his stage 3 rectal cancer diagnosis.
Marcus Wendling, an Ironman triathlete from Dayton, Ohio, had just completed a half Ironman in May 2023.
Despite maintaining a healthy diet.
Exercising six days a week.
He was diagnosed with stage 3 rectal cancer.
“I’ve never had a medical issue or a diagnosis,” Wendling told The New York Post.
He noticed blood in his stool, prompting his first colonoscopy in November 2023.
Doctors found a benign polyp and a large cancerous one in his rectum.
Further tests confirmed the cancer was stage I.
However, the tumor’s location required a major surgery—lower anterior resection—to remove the affected part of his rectum.
Wendling initially planned to have surgery locally but sought a second opinion at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Colorectal surgeon Dr. Matthew Kalady confirmed the need for surgery and fit Wendling into his schedule.
“I wanted to go to the best around,” Wendling said.
Less than two weeks later, Wendling underwent a five-to-six-hour surgery.
Three of the 12 lymph nodes removed tested positive for cancer, upgrading his diagnosis to stage 3.
His recovery wasn’t easy.
A fever from a leak at the surgical site delayed his discharge by a week and required drains for a month.
“Marcus had a few bumps on the road to recovery, but overall, he did great,” said Dr. Kalady.
“His physical fitness and great attitude helped.”
Wendling then faced 12 weeks of chemotherapy with oncologist Dr. Pannaga G. Malalur.
He experienced only mild side effects like fatigue and neuropathy.
“I was determined to exercise almost every day and walk as much as possible,” he said.
“The only viable option was to power through the treatment.”
Throughout his journey, Wendling praised his care team for their honesty and support.
“The nurses and physician assistants were so helpful at every step,” he said.
“They always presented me with a realistic picture of how I would feel and prepared me for any symptoms.”
In September 2024, Wendling had his ileostomy reversed.
“It’s not like turning a faucet back on, but Dr. Kalady and his team kept telling me, ‘Your body will adjust’ – and it did,” he said.
Now in remission, Wendling is training for another half Ironman to close the chapter on the most difficult year of his life.
He’ll return to the start line in Florida next month.
“The No. 1 goal is to finish,” he said.
“The No. 2 goal is to beat my time from 2023—that’s closing the book on last year.”
Dr. Kalady credits Wendling’s proactive attitude with saving his life:
“Marcus took ownership of his health and got his symptoms evaluated early.
Detecting and treating colorectal cancer early, before it spreads, is key. His decision to get a colonoscopy likely saved his life.”
Wendling now undergoes quarterly scans and annual colonoscopies.
He urges others not to ignore even small signs:
“Stay on top of your health. You never know when you’ll face something like this.”
“I’m healthy again. It’s full steam ahead.”
