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Jacqulyn Holzworth

Patients & Survivors Stage II Colon Cancer Indiana
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Story: I was diagnosed at 40 with stage II colon cancer. Being adopted at birth, I had no family history. I suffered from severe abdominal cramps approximately 20 minutes after each small meal. I went to the ER twice. The first time the doctor told me that "he was going to pop my hood and check me out," he told me that I had a cyst on my left ovary (my pain was on my right side) and sent me home with pain medication. A month later, I was back at the ER, but this time I was at a different hospital, and they actually wanted to figure out what was wrong with me.

They did a CT scan, which led to a colonoscopy, and they found a 7.2 cm tumor in my right ascending colon. They removed the tumor and my right ascending colon. My husband at the time was with me, and my diagnosis affected him worse than me. He was asking how much longer I had to live, while I was asking what we were going to do to beat this ugly monster.

I had my surgery, did 18 rounds of chemotherapy (oxaliplatin and leucovorin). As of August 2022, I have been cancer free for 12 years! I have been an advocate since my diagnosis. Every year I request and secure a proclamation for my state recognizing colon cancer awareness, I've been to D.C. twice advocating, and I was in the first One Million Strong photo shoot for Fight Colorectal Cancer! I enjoy my advocacy, and think it would be quite an adventure to be an Ambassador.

Advice: Please get screened. The life you save may be your own!

Never give up! You have strength you never knew you had.

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