In April 2023, at age 49, I went for a routine colonoscopy. They found one large polyp, two weeks later, I read in my medical portal that it was cancer. What a way to find out…right!!

In May 2023, I had a colon resection surgery. My surgeon sent off a portion of my colon, along with several lymph nodes, to pathology. A week later I found out that cancer was in my lymph nodes. I had stage lll colon cancer.

A routine colonoscopy, no family history, no symptoms and now I have stage lll colon cancer!!! What!!!

In May of 2023, I started chemotherapy and spent the next 6 months having Folfox every other week.

November 2023, my scans and lab work showed I was NED (no evidence of disease). I rang the bell. I RANG THE BELL!

I cannot imagine where I would be if I had put off my routine screening. I thank God, my family, friends and providers for their support and care in my journey.

If you think something like this could never happen to you, like I did. You are wrong! Colorectal cancer is now the number one killer of men under the age of 50 and the number two killer of women under age 50. Please get your screening! It could save your life!!

I fight for my husband, children and grandchildren! I fight for a cure! I fight for education/awareness! I fight for research/funding! I fight for screenings!! As hard as surgery and chemo were, nothing compared to telling my husband and children. Please GET SCREENED!! It could save your life!