Since my father’s side of the family has a history of colorectal cancer, my family doctor recommended colonoscopy. When I first started experiencing symptoms, I had difficulties with my bowel movements, and I had abdominal aches and cramps that just wouldn’t go away. In the end, the colonoscopy revealed I had stage 2 colorectal cancer.

After the diagnosis, I knew I couldn’t keep living the same way. I cut down my alcohol consumption to barely one drink a week. I also started eating healthier about half of the time, and exercising more frequently.

I’m currently receiving treatment for my colorectal cancer. The initial treatment options included proctocolectomy (removal of colon and rectum), chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. At the start, I was angry and very anxious about the treatment, and the journey so far hasn’t been easy. I had to change my treatment plan at one point because the original plan wasn’t working effectively.

As of now, my treatment plan includes immunotherapy in addition to the chemo and radiation. My mood has improved a lot since the change, but I’m still a little scared.

The treatments have been tough on my body. I experienced fatigue, hair loss, and peripheral neuropathy. I tried to counteract these side effects by increasing my exercise frequency and improving my diet.

Since starting my treatment, my lifestyle has changed significantly. Eating a healthier diet is now a permanent part of my life. I’ve also stepped up my exercise routine, working out half as much more than I used to before my diagnosis. Other than that, I’m also closer to my parents now — I keep in touch with them twice as often as before.

I plan to visit my parents in Australia in the next two years. My biggest dream right now is simply to survive cancer. That’s what keeps me going. And beyond that, I want to see my parents healthy.

Throughout my cancer journey, I have been dealing with fear that the treatments wouldn't work. To deal with my fear, my doctor referred me to a therapist who can help with my anxiety.

Even now, after everything I've been through, I feel the same as before. The anger and fear that I’ve been feeling since my cancer diagnosis has never subsided.

To anyone out there who’s currently on their own cancer journey, I’d say: "It’s a long tough fight. If you can, try to seek second opinions from other doctors or cancer centers because you can find out different treatment options."