Courtney Smith
Patient/Survivor |
Rectal - Stage III |
Age at Diagnosis: 31
In early 2023 I started having issues with excessive diarrhea— I have an autoimmune disease, so I dismissed it as a flare up until I started to see dark blood in my stool. I spoke to my general care doctor and she recommended a colonoscopy. My symptoms worsened, including urgency and frequency of bowel movements. On June 14, 2023 I woke up from my colonoscopy to hear the words, “You have cancer.” I went through the whirlwind of appointments, including fertility planning which I ultimately decided not to do, as the Stage 3c diagnosis felt urgent and nodules near my cervix would have made it dangerous. After 6 rounds of 3 different chemotherapies, 25 days of radiation, and finally a partial colectomy and temporary ileostomy, I am cancer free and still having regular scans. It all still feels unreal.
Courtney Smith
Patient/Survivor |
Rectal - Stage III |
Age at Diagnosis: 31
In early 2023 I started having issues with excessive diarrhea— I have an autoimmune disease, so I dismissed it as a flare up until I started to see dark blood in my stool. I spoke to my general care doctor and she recommended a colonoscopy. My symptoms worsened, including urgency and frequency of bowel movements. On June 14, 2023 I woke up from my colonoscopy to hear the words, “You have cancer.” I went through the whirlwind of appointments, including fertility planning which I ultimately decided not to do, as the Stage 3c diagnosis felt urgent and nodules near my cervix would have made it dangerous. After 6 rounds of 3 different chemotherapies, 25 days of radiation, and finally a partial colectomy and temporary ileostomy, I am cancer free and still having regular scans. It all still feels unreal.
"There is power in community. We don't have to do this alone."
Courtney Smith
Patient/Survivor |
Rectal - Stage III |
Age at Diagnosis: 31
In early 2023 I started having issues with excessive diarrhea— I have an autoimmune disease, so I dismissed it as a flare up until I started to see dark blood in my stool. I spoke to my general care doctor and she recommended a colonoscopy. My symptoms worsened, including urgency and frequency of bowel movements. On June 14, 2023 I woke up from my colonoscopy to hear the words, “You have cancer.” I went through the whirlwind of appointments, including fertility planning which I ultimately decided not to do, as the Stage 3c diagnosis felt urgent and nodules near my cervix would have made it dangerous. After 6 rounds of 3 different chemotherapies, 25 days of radiation, and finally a partial colectomy and temporary ileostomy, I am cancer free and still having regular scans. It all still feels unreal.
"There is power in community. We don't have to do this alone."
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