Many of you know my story, some of you don’t. I was diagnosed with Colorectal cancer in July 2020. Let me start at the beginning.

I am a pretty private person and publicly sharing my story is definitely out of my comfort zone. However, I have been given an opportunity to promote and share the importance of listening to your body. Early detection saves lives! It’s not just a catch phrase. I am a healthy, fit woman with absolutely no history of colon cancer in my family. I eat healthy (mostly) and am physically active. I don’t drink. I don’t smoke. I NEVER had bowel issues or GI issues. I was the picture of health.

One morning in March 2020 I noticed a tiny amount of blood in my poop. No big deal. Lots of other things to worry about. A few weeks later I noticed another small spot of blood in my poop. Again- so many other things clamoring for my attention at this point. I made a mental note to bring it up at my next doctor visit- which was already scheduled for the end of May.

At my doctor appointment in May I mentioned, in passing, that I had seen a tiny amount of blood in my poop 2 times back in March. My doctor decided to order a colonoscopy “to rule anything out”. I had my colonoscopy the end of June.

July 2, 2020 was the day my life changed. I remember where I was and what I was doing when the doctor called. “One of the polyps removed was cancerous,” he told me. I was stunned.

What followed was a furious pace of doctor appointments, scans, blood work, and a second opinion on the original pathology report. I received some discouraging news- my cancer was classified as LVI (lympho-vascular invasive) meaning it was a little more aggressive than originally thought.

Surgery was scheduled for August 20th and was successful. They removed a good chunk of my colon and I spent 4 days in the hospital recovering. I came home from the hospital and that evening received a phone call from my surgeon. A tumor deposit had been found in the drainage bed of one of my lymph nodes. This meant my cancer had traveled and that effectively bumped my cancer to Stage 3. The small possibility of chemo now became a reality.

I started a 6 month chemo regimen on September 22, 2020. What followed was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life- physically and mentally. BUT…. with the support of family and friends I completed my chemo treatments the end of February and was declared cancer free after follow-up scans!

Now it’s my turn to give back and help promote awareness for colon screenings. It’s true- the prep for a colonoscopy isn’t super awesome. It’s also not fun thinking about a camera being stuck up your rear end (even if you are asleep). It sounds unpleasant and is something that is very easily put off. Please don’t. A simple plea from someone who’s been there. If I had ignored my symptoms and put off my screening, my story would be very different today. Even if you have NO symptoms, the recommended age for a first colonoscopy is now 45 years old. This is not a disease that is only found in older men. Trust me… I know firsthand.

I am a runner. I enjoy the process of pushing myself and having something that is “all mine”. It gives me peace. It allows me time to mull over and process events when my life seems a little crazy. It feels right that I found a 5K to run to promote colon screenings. Please help me support Colon Cancer Coalition by making a contribution to my fundraiser and sharing this page with your family and friends. Every dollar I raise will advance Colon Cancer Coalition's great cause! Together, we can make a difference!