Here I am ringing the bell after treatment!
HI!
Thought I would share a little about myself. I am 49, married for a second time, with three kids of my own and one bonus kiddo that is my husband’s. Originally from Ohio, my family moved here when I was five. I am a hairdresser and have practiced my craft for 30 years. When I am not working, I love to spend my free time kayaking with my husband Nick, taking road trips with our camper, and spending time with friends, kids and family. I am a huge animal lover! We have 2 cats…. for now.
I have lived a generally healthy life. No real health problems, no medication taken daily. I haven’t had multiple surgeries or even had to go to the doctor very often. Except for the normal wear and tear from my job, no complaints!
Four years ago , I started to have diarrhea. Not just occasionally, but chronically. I noticed it got worse with stressful moments or situations and then would subside, but it never went away completely. I chalked it up to “taking after my mother” and that I would have IBS for the rest of my life. I adjusted my diet…felt like I tried everything! Gluten free, dairy free, the BRAT diet, cut out alcohol, nothing seemed to really help at all. Along with the chronic diarrhea, came hemorrhoids. The uncomfortable feeling in my bottom became increasingly more problematic, more painful, and I finally scheduled an appointment with a colorectal surgeon.
January 29,2021 , a hemorrhoidectomy and colonoscopy was what I was scheduled for. That isn’t what the Dr. ended up doing. He found a mass in my anal canal as well as mild diverticulosis in my sigmoid colon. The journey to fight and literally kick this cancer out of my own bummy began!
I underwent chemo and radiation therapy from February through April 2021. The final two weeks were a very difficult time. By May 2021, I was already on the mend, laughing again and enjoying life. I know not everyone will win their battle, but I really encourage you to give it your all.
As I neared the completion of my treatment, my doctor recognized that the radiation had really wreaked havoc on my bottom. “Do you want to take a break from treatment?” he offered. I wanted to stop for all the world, but I also knew I didn’t want to repeat this experience. I said no. And then he leaned in and said in a resolved conspiratorial voice,
“GOOD. Cancer likes it when we take a break.”
This really stuck with me, and I repeated this like a mantra every day for the remaining two weeks.
