Survivor Stories

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My journey started before I had even realized it. I was only 35. I was having symptoms that could easily be passed as something else. But it was always in the back of my mind. I often thought… what if it’s the worst case scenario… what if IT IS cancer and I am ignoring it.

I ended up establishing a relationship with a new doctor and while at an appointment for something else, I brought up my symptoms I had been ignoring. She agreed that it probably wasn’t anything serious given my age but worth looking in to. She didn’t see anything alarming. She said to me “if it would make you feel better, because you know your body best, I will put in a referral for a diagnostic colonoscopy to ease your mind.”

I said “let’s do it, I’d rather just know and get peace of mind.” It had now been over a year of my symptoms off and on.

July 20, 2023 I had my diagnostic colonoscopy. While waking up from anesthesia, the doctor came in and said “I am so glad you came in today, I am so glad you listened to your body… if you had waited until your routine colonoscopy in 8 years… you wouldn’t be here.”

I knew they had removed two polyps, one considered large. And they’d be sent for biopsy.

July 31, 2023, while back to school shopping with my kids, I got a call from the doctor who said “this will show up on your MyChart tomorrow and I didn’t want you to find out that way… you have colon cancer...”

I was assigned a UW Cancer team - the best for my particular case. I met with my cancer doctor and she went over my prognosis and options.

I did not need radiation because they had already removed the growths.

I could start with chemotherapy, but it wouldn’t be guaranteed. I may need surgery regardless.

I opted for the most aggressive, most promising option. Given my age and overall health, the surgery and recovery process would have little risks and the best outcome to go on to live a long and healthy life with my kids.

In September 2023, I had one foot of my colon removed and 14 lymph nodes.

My biopsies came back that cancer had not spread and I was ultimately diagnosed with Colon Cancer Stage 1.

I did not need chemotherapy.

I was lucky. So lucky.

I was scared. Every day.

I lost so much hair, it was traumatic and scary. But all my new hair is finally about 6 inches long!

One of the quotes I repeated during my cancer journey was “If you can’t beat fear, just do it scared.”

Thanks to early detection, I was able to catch, treat and beat Colon Cancer.

I just had my one year colonoscopy in October 2024. I had another small polyp, in a new area, and it was removed. There is no further treatment. But I will have to get checked again in another year.

I am currently in the middle of genetic testing, as I do not have any known family history, nor did I have any of the higher risk factors for someone being more likely to get Colon Cancer.

I have four children who I get to be around for. I get to continue to watch them grow up. And they get a healthy mom.

Colonoscopies aren’t as bad as they sound, and I promise you don’t remember anything after. It’s a really nice nap, and an excuse to have a really good meal afterwards since you had to do a low fiber and liquid diet prior to it. The prep is the worst part, but I’m experienced now, and I know to ask for the bottle of Miralax way…

I am so thankful to be here, with my family, healthy and cancer free. Life is too short as it is to wait. Early detection saves lives. It saved mine.

“Do it scared.”