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Brian Agler

Patients & Survivors Stage III Colon Cancer
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*Fight CRC is sending our heartfelt condolences and immense gratitude to the family and friends of Brian Agler. Brian was a talented writer and communicator who volunteered his time and talent to Fight CRC bringing our mission to life. We are incredibly grateful to him. It was a gift to our team to have had the opportunity to get to know him and fight alongside him. Brian was a relentless champion of hope. Honoring his life, we will continue to fight.

Story: "I was diagnosed with Stage IIIc colon cancer in the summer of 2017, just over a month before my wedding. I ended up having surgery, followed by 12 rounds of chemo. In February of 2018, I was No Evidence of Disease (NED).

"In June of 2019, the cancer returned--this time, to my abdominal cavity. I had a tumor debulking surgery which was only able to remove some of the cancer. I’ve been on various forms of treatment ever since.

"Lately, I’ve had some issues with my stomach and digestion--my appetite isn’t what it used to be, and I get some days of very bad nausea and vomiting--but my day-to-day life is mostly unchanged. 

"Of course, there are the bouts of anxiety that come from not quite knowing what the future (let alone, next scan) will hold. But, I’m taking it one day at a time. My wife, my family, my friends, and my work have been unbelievably supportive. I can honestly say that I’m able to get through it all (with high spirits!) because of them."

Advice for telemedicine visits: "Come to the meeting with questions ready. The flow of the conversation just won’t feel as natural as if you were in person, so you want to make sure that nothing falls by the wayside, and that you get as much out of each 'visit' as possible."

Advice: "Take care of yourself. Whatever that means to you--curling up under a blanket, eating a bunch of ice cream, or binging on Netflix--do it. Between cancer, and now this pandemic, you have permission to be selfish. However, you can find comfort and joy, it’s on the table. If you do that, I promise you, you’ll be able to get through this."

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