March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month

On March 21, 2018, I had a seizure while in the car with my husband. Suddenly, I couldn’t walk. When we arrived at the hospital, a CT scan revealed a tumor on my brain. I was immediately transported to another hospital, where an MRI confirmed that I needed emergency surgery.

On Friday, March 23, 2018, doctors removed a tumor about the size of a large grape. After surgery, I had to relearn how to walk and perform basic tasks. But that was just the beginning. Further testing revealed that I had colon cancer. An emergency colonoscopy showed a tumor the size of a softball, nearly blocking my colon. The diagnosis: stage 4 colon cancer.

I was told I needed both radiation and chemotherapy. However, just a week before starting chemo, I began bleeding and required yet another emergency surgery. Once the tumor was removed, I was able to begin treatment.

Chemotherapy helped shrink the tumors, and I then underwent Gamma Knife radiation—a painful but necessary step. Next came 12 weeks of treatment called 5FV.

Since then, I’ve had regular CT scans, MRIs, and colonoscopies. I also started a maintenance drug therapy to prevent new tumor growth.

In December 2020, my doctors decided to take me off the medication. Unfortunately, that led to the appearance of new spots on both sides of my brain. As a result, I’m now back on the medication to block any new blood vessel growth that could feed tumors.

This month marks seven years since my journey began. I am incredibly grateful to be alive and for the doctors who helped save my life. My doctor calls me a miracle—I am in remission.

Please, get your colonoscopies. I was only 44 when this journey started, and I look forward to another 44 years.