"Start every morning with your feet on the ground and in the sunshine."

Samantha Fletcher

Patient/Survivor |

Colon - Stage III |

Age at Diagnosis: 35

What started as stomach pain turned into ER visits, a surgery for an ovarian cyst, and months of unanswered questions. Finally, in July 2024, a colonoscopy revealed the truth: a tumor in my colon. Cancer. At 35. It didn’t make sense. It still doesn’t.

In September 2024, I had surgery to remove part of my colon. In October 2024, I started 6 months of chemo—8 brutal rounds that tested every part of me. In March, I rang the bell. Scans showed no evidence of disease. Grateful doesn’t even begin to cover it.

But here’s what no one tells you: surviving is only the beginning. Life after cancer is hard. I’m still learning how to be me again—because I’m not the same. And that’s okay.

Published On: August 12, 2025

Samantha Fletcher

Patient/Survivor |

Colon - Stage III |

Age at Diagnosis: 35

What started as stomach pain turned into ER visits, a surgery for an ovarian cyst, and months of unanswered questions. Finally, in July 2024, a colonoscopy revealed the truth: a tumor in my colon. Cancer. At 35. It didn’t make sense. It still doesn’t.

In September 2024, I had surgery to remove part of my colon. In October 2024, I started 6 months of chemo—8 brutal rounds that tested every part of me. In March, I rang the bell. Scans showed no evidence of disease. Grateful doesn’t even begin to cover it.

But here’s what no one tells you: surviving is only the beginning. Life after cancer is hard. I’m still learning how to be me again—because I’m not the same. And that’s okay.

"Start every morning with your feet on the ground and in the sunshine."

Samantha Fletcher

Patient/Survivor |

Colon - Stage III |

Age at Diagnosis: 35

What started as stomach pain turned into ER visits, a surgery for an ovarian cyst, and months of unanswered questions. Finally, in July 2024, a colonoscopy revealed the truth: a tumor in my colon. Cancer. At 35. It didn’t make sense. It still doesn’t.

In September 2024, I had surgery to remove part of my colon. In October 2024, I started 6 months of chemo—8 brutal rounds that tested every part of me. In March, I rang the bell. Scans showed no evidence of disease. Grateful doesn’t even begin to cover it.

But here’s what no one tells you: surviving is only the beginning. Life after cancer is hard. I’m still learning how to be me again—because I’m not the same. And that’s okay.

"Start every morning with your feet on the ground and in the sunshine."

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