Cindy Wright

In late August 2023, I had a regular colonoscopy. I had no symptoms and no risk factors but was diagnosed with cancer in my sigmoid colon. My husband of 37 years was with me, and we were shocked of course. This was followed by CT scans, blood tests, meetings with 2 surgeons (one local and one at MD Anderson), a local oncologist, and then surgery at MD Anderson in early October 2023. I found out I was low risk stage 3 (T3N1aM0), and my colon was also too long for my body, so they removed some of the extra length (called a redundant colon and you are usually born with it). One of 31 lymph nodes had tumor cells, so chemotherapy was in my future. I started three months of chemo about six weeks post-op. I had two cycles of CAPOX, but it caused severe GI toxicity with explosive diarrhea 10-15 times daily causing dehydration, fever, and a loss of 20 lbs in two weeks. I was switched to FOLFOX for the remainder of my chemotherapy. I had a lot of strange side effects, and some of them are still resolving six months later, but I am disease free! I am well. My faith, constant prayer, prayer from many people around the globe, the best family, wonderful physicians and nurses, and humor provided me with the strength and courage to keep going without much discouragement, and to overcome this challenge to my body. Our immune systems are amazing! The unbelievable amount of research I did was quite helpful in my own advocacy, but in the process I have read so many personal stories and scholarly articles about the staggering increase in colorectal cancer being diagnosed in young adults, with many being stage 4, and this must be addressed at high levels. Doctors must listen to young people with unusual symptoms. I have even read that my state of Texas has one of the lowest percentages of adults 45 - 70 who have had a screening colonoscopy. Be well, and get your colonoscopies!! We must stop the stigma surrounding talking about colorectal cancer. Be a grown-up, and don't be afraid of a little test that's no big deal. The preps are getting better and easier to tolerate. Just do it, and keep on living!