It all started when I had trouble passing stool. When I did, there was blood. Along with that, I experienced some stomach cramps too. After consulting a doctor, I was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer.

After the initial shock, I knew I had to make some changes. I took a look at my lifestyle choices. I changed my nutrition and diet; now I eat a healthier diet several times a week. My smoking frequency has decreased, and I cut down my alcohol intake significantly.

I’m receiving treatment for my colorectal cancer. My doctors recommended surgery (partial colectomy), chemotherapy, radiation therapy and immunotherapy as part of my treatment plan. However, I didn’t opt for radiation therapy. I decided on this based on my own research and the doctor's recommendations and I felt rather neutral about this decision. I’m currently undergoing chemotherapy. Besides the medical treatment, I also take some nutritional supplements myself.

I experience a range of side effects from the treatments. Fatigue, hair loss, and nausea with vomiting were the worst. To manage them, I improved my nutrition and took prescribed medications.

On top of the physical strain, there are financial difficulties. Insurance doesn’t cover the immunotherapy because it's a newer drug.

Since I began treatment, I’ve made some permanent changes to my lifestyle. I made a big shift in my nutrition and diet — now, I make sure to eat healthier every day. I also reduced my smoking frequency.

Cancer has brought me closer to my parents. Now, I reach out to them much more often.

I really want to visit my parents in India and hopefully travel with my girlfriend. For myself, my main focus is on recovery right now. After having cancer, I realized I want to be closer to my parents back home. I’m thinking about moving back to India because I miss my parents a lot and kept thinking of them throughout this journey. My biggest dreams involve spending more time with my family and my girlfriend.

Throughout my journey to recovery, the fear of death has been weighing heavily on my mind. I constantly worry about my parents and how they would cope if I were gone. I met with my good friend who is a lawyer back in India to write my will so that my parents will have some money if I pass. I also talked to my doctors and nurses too. My doctor is also an Indian and she understands a lot of the cultural concerns I have.

As of now, I feel neutral.

I think everyone on their cancer journey is scared and will go through a lot of difficult emotions. But take things day by day and remember to hold your loved ones close.