I didn't realize they were colon cancer symptoms, but about seven years prior I had a change in bowel habits. Being constipated a good portion of my life, I was relieved with the change but embarrassingly enough never contributed it to colon cancer. About two months prior to my colonoscopy, I looked in the mirror and realized how awful I looked. I couldn't walk up steps without being winded and thought I was so out of shape but had blood work and found out my hemoglobin was 7.5. Then I had my first colonoscopy at 56 and a 5 cm adenocarcinoma on my cecum was found.

My previous doctor (a surgeon) at the community hospital was very nonchalant about surgery and had to organize everything myself, with no nurse navigator. I was very overwhelmed, so I sought a second opinion the day before my surgery was scheduled and went with the surgeon in a different hospital.

I just felt “ugh this is one more thing I have to do!” I was overwhelmed. I was in school, working 3 jobs and had just buried my mom after having her at my house on hospice.

Following my doctor’s recommendation and having researched statistics on a HAI pump, my treatment plan consisted of the following:

• Partial colectomy (removal of a part of the colon)
• Liver resection
• Cholecystectomy
• Ablation with an implanted HAI pump
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Targeted therapy
• Immunotherapy
• Pain medication

The first round of treatment at stage 3 took 3 months and started with capecitabine and oxaliplatin. When the cancer progressed to stage 4, I had another 6 months of treatment. Then, with the cancer reoccuring, I had treatment with irinotecan, oxaliplatin and avastin for an additional 6 months. I had 5FU too at one point, together with two other medications (whose names I don’t recall). Honestly, I just kept doing whatever the doctor suggested. I’m currently on treatment holiday and am covered by insurance.

Because of chemotherapy, I struggled with fatigue. I was exhausted. I always worked FT during most of my treatment, so I took naps to cope. Apart from the fatigue, I also suffered from nausea and vomiting, and hand and foot syndrome. Truthfully, I didn't realize I would feel so awful on chemo.

After starting treatment, I limited my alcohol intake and tried to increase my exercise.

Because I needed the income to support myself and my loved ones, I continued working even after my cancer diagnosis. But I am no longer working so I have limited income now.

I don't think I got the support I needed because I "look good." I never lost my hair, put makeup on every day and had a positive attitude. My people do not know I have cancer let alone stage 4. I try to do things myself because I want to do what I can while I can. After my liver resection, I was in the kitchen cooking dinner for my family 6 days after my resection because no one else was doing it, so I had to if we were going to eat.

I can get through this because I have a very strong spiritual faith and positive attitude. So, turn to God and have a good attitude.

My greatest fear is that I had limited time with my family. But, I have increased my spirituality and put it in God's hands.

I'm now at stage 4 and have been off and on chemo for 6.5 years. I've had several surgeries, 5 ablations and radiation twice. I’m really hoping for NED with my December 2024 scans. I try to be positive because half this battle is mindset.

Make yourself a priority but continue to do what you can while you can. Be your own advocate but also put it in God's hands. Keep a positive mindset.