I was diagnosed with stage III rectal cancer in May 2016 at age 34. After experiencing symptoms off and on for nearly a year, I was referred for a colonoscopy. When I woke up, the doctor told me she found a mass and was pretty sure it was cancer. I went through 28 days of oral chemotherapy and radiation, had LAR surgery, which resulted in a temporary ileostomy, and went through eight rounds of FOLFOX.

I am currently monitored every six months and have no evidence of the disease.

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