For a few days, I was struggling with the following symptoms:

• Stomach ache
• Blood in my stool (bowel movement)
• Frequent diarrhea
• Feeling that my bowels do not empty all the way
• Unexplained weight loss
• Tiredness/fatigue

This prompted me to seek medical attention, which led to my diagnosis of stage 3 colon lymphoma.

When I found out the news, I was sad because why me? I was keeping myself healthy.

Treatment-wise, I opted for a partial colectomy (removal of a part of colon) and chemotherapy. This decision was based on:

• My doctor’s recommendation, saying to keep up with the chemo treatment and the reverse surgery
• Asking for help and support from coworkers and family, such as my partner, children and grandchildren

I am taking 6 months of chemo treatment pills, namely capecitabine. I have been feeling overwhelmed, tired, exhausted, moody, crabby and cranky. I’m not feeling myself sometimes. I feel very angry and sad. But I am taking one day at a time. Live for the moment. This will pass and this will be a memory. Thankfully, my treatment is subsidized.

Now I have a temporary ostomy. I was very affected by some preconceived concerns I had about the ostomy. Specifically, I was afraid of smells and worried about the leaking, if the bag would dislodge and visibility of the bag to others. Having an ostomy has also impacted my life in the following ways:

• Lowered self-esteem
• Reduced physical intimacy
• Inability to eat favorite foods
• Increased social anxiety

As a result of the partial colectomy, my stoma was infected and I was in the hospital for 3 months. Learning to live with my ostomy bag has been a challenge. I’m worried about the leaking part, adjusting with it and changing my ostomy. I also can’t shower or do the things I did before. I’ve lost my appetite and experienced weight fluctuations because of treatment too.

To manage the side effects, I took prescribed medication, such as nausea medication (ondansetron ODT) for the chemo treatment pills.

After treatment, my nutrition and diet changed the most in terms of eating a healthy and balanced diet. Besides that, I get regular exercise, plenty of sleep and support where I need it.

For now, my personal plans are to live for the moment, do my regular check ups and spend more time with my family, my partner and grandchildren, among others.

I found my ostomy nurse to be particularly helpful in terms of learning about my supplies and where to get help and support. I wish I knew before starting treatment about cancer support groups and wearing my ostomy bag.

I stopped working after finding out I had cancer. I’m just on medical leave and my job will be waiting for me.

Since my diagnosis, I’ve gone through challenges related to my self-esteem and professional life, but difficulties in my day-to-day life affect me the most. I just live for the moment and take one day at a time.

My biggest fear was actually wearing my colostomy bag. I did not get help when I was released from the hospital and did not get support while I was in the hospital. This filled me with fear, anger, frustration and hurt, on top of giving me anxiety and weight loss. But now I am seeing a counselor and wearing the colostomy bag for longer.

Today I’m still sad and angry because I’m waiting for surgery and I had complications after surgery.

Hang in there. Live for the moment. Take one day at a time. Eat well. Look at the world in a better place.

Ask for help and have a support team. No matter what, you are an important person. Fight. This is just a memory and when you think about it, ‘Look, I beat it and I am a living proof’.