I had just turned 48 when I went in for my first ever routine colonoscopy. It was anything but, as a 4cm tumor had taken residence in my sigmoid colon. The whirlwind that followed, of countless tests and scans, doctor visits, second and third opinions, learning new vocabulary, colon resection surgery, chemotherapy, and two minor surgeries, still feels surreal at times. Almost three years later, I am in 1.5 yrs NED status, and I have just begun to process the magnitude of it all. I believe that an important aspect of dealing with this trauma and turning pain into power is for me to be able to help others, to honor advocates who came before me and carry their torch onward and forward.