Rissa Dodson

Story: "I had noticed blood in my stool at least one year prior to my diagnosis. An email exchange with my doctor confirmed it was most likely hemorrhoids and they would go away. They went away! Several months later, I landed in the ER. Nothing conclusive, so the doctor ordered a colonoscopy. I went in for the colonoscopy and came out with a cancer diagnosis on September 26th, 2015. Six weeks of chemo-radiation shrank the tumor considerably, which was such a relief! In February 2016, the tumor was removed, I also had a hysterectomy, resection, and ileostomy. The ileostomy takedown was in April 2016; five weeks later, I started chemo. Ten days shy of my one-year ‘cancerversary’ I was declared cancer-free!"

Advice: "When I was diagnosed, I went looking for people who shared their stories. I didn’t find any blogs about colorectal cancer, so I started my own. Sharing has been cathartic and quite helpful. I want to join the fight in order to continue to share my story, help fundraise, encourage and support other cancer patients. And, in turn, help myself.

"Know your family history. Pay attention to your body, your bowels. Get screened. You are not alone. Keep your dukes up, baby!"