I had put off going in to get screened for about 6 months from the time I had noticeable symptoms. I finally called my Primary physician to get the colonoscopy scheduled after being home alone with my youngest son and going to the bathroom and having nothing but blood. It scared me and he knew something was wrong and asked me what was wrong. I told him, and I made a promise to myself to get past all the worry of colonoscopy scares to get in and get it done for him and his brother and my family.

I received the news the same day as my colonoscopy. The doctor came in and told me his suspicions were correct, and that it was cancer. My husband and I both cried and all I could think about was that I can’t leave my boys. I made my calls to both of my boys and my parents from the hospital parking lot. To hear their voices with the news I just gave them will be embedded in me forever. I never want to have to do that to them again. It was so hard to hear their side of the phone go quiet as they thought of what to say.