colorectal cancer
When I was 50 and supposed to get a colonoscopy, my friend was also getting one. I was with her when she was drinking her prep and she complained about it so much, I made the decision that there was no colon cancer in my family so I would be okay. At 65, changes were happening and I decided I should get the colonoscopy. I'm glad I did because a cancerous tumor was found. It was small, Stage 1 and only 1 inch long; however, because it was so low in the rectum, surgery was not an option as it would leave me with a permanent ostomy bag. Therefore, I was treated as a Stage 3.
I went through 6 weeks of radiation in April and May 2025, which eradicated the tumor. Because those cancer cells have some free radicals, I had to go through chemo as well because....just in case. Originally, they had me down for 6 cyles of chemo and, believe me, chemo is no joke! The things it does to your body is amazing! That first day by the time I got home, I could not touch nor drink anything cold. I had decided to choose joy the entire time so I just found it fascinating how my body was responding to this poison as opposed to how awful I felt. It helped me stay positive and I was able to make fun of it all. I was told early on that I would be okay due to my positive attitude.
After 3 cycles, I had to question why I had to go through so much as I was told that there was a hole where the tumor was. I asked my radiologist how the new radiation machine worked, i.e., does it blast the tumor or just shrink it to nothing. I was told that it shrinks it, not blasting it throughout my body. I spoke with my oncologist about this and we agreed that I could be done in 4 cycles. I was excited and relieved.
When I got home, I wondered it I messed myself up and instead of worrying, I went to God because he had been with me the entire time----especially starting the 4th week of radiation. I asked Him to give me a sign at my next appointment. If the doctor asked how I felt and if I could do another cycle, then that would tell me I still have it in my and I should do the last 2 cycles. However, when I walked in on that last day, the doctor immediately congratulated me on my last session. I trusted that God had this taken care of this.
A couple of weeks after I was done, I met with my surgeon who did a probe and found something he didn't like. He took a piece for a biopsy and said it would take a few days for the results to come. If it was cancer, I would have surgery and a permanent ostomy bag. The great thing was that I wasn't nervous! It was the first time that I trusted God 100% and He did not let me down. The surgeon never did call, but when I checked my records, the biopsy contained nothing malignant. I was so sure of God's promise to me that I didn't even give a huge sigh when I read it. I KNEW I was done with this cancer!
I haven't been writing on this blog for a while, but I've kept it, hoping I would continue to write. Since this is an exercise blog, I wanted to let you know that because I was in shape and had some muscle mass, my outcome was good. Muscles are amazing! I will tell you what muscles do for you next time.
muscles help with your cancer diagnosis
When I was completing the questionnaire at the oncologist's office, I noticed that it was more detailed than a regular doctor. Because of that and as a Toastmaster, I wanted to find out why so I could pass it along. You see, when I started exercising, I only knew it was good for me; I didn't know how good it was, especially strength training. Strength training not only makes you feel younger, it builds muscle that helps with all kinds of ailments. Regarding my cancer, I found out that (1) muscle mass is associated with better cancer outcomes; (2) It helps Stage 1 tumors from growing further; (3) It potentially lowers the risk of recurence and mortality; and (4) It is supposed to help with side effects. Is that amazing or what?
As mentioned earlier, I only had a one inch tumor. I don't know how long it was in process, but it was 15 years that I should have had a colonoscopy, but looking back and realizing that what I thought was just growing older, it had to have been in the making for at least 3-5 years, and yet, it was only one inch. Most people I spoke with had tumors in the double digits. As far as recurrence & mortality, I will have to let you know in 10 years about that. Well, we can't have everything. I thought I had horrible side effects and they began by the time I got to the car. By the time I got home, I was unable to drink or touch cold. Even going to the grocery store, I wore gloves and closed shoes. I learned that the hard way! I had many other side effects, but the neuropathy was the worst. Finally, I felt like God had been preparing me for this for years since I believe it was Him that led me to the place that changed my life through exercise. I'm not a planner, but I'm sure glad I've been exercising, specifically, building muscle for all these years. Muscles are amazing! Exercise is hard and not a lot of fun, but the results make it worth it!
Having faith really helped
I went to Sunday School during my youth; however, as a teenager, I pretty much blew God off. I didn't have any Christian friends and lived my life in the way I wanted to, not really God's way. Every once in a while I knew He was with me, but it was rare, and He wasn't a huge part of my life. For example, It was God who sent me to the gym that changed my life. I was grateful, but I didn't get much from Him until later, only some bits and pieces and, sadly, I didn't get to know Him well until cancer came for me. He was there the entire time for me, especially during the bad days when radiation kicked in. I felt Him hugging me while I was in pain, which lessened it immensely. He showed me so many miracles. One day I prayed for something and by the end of the day--without asking anyone---I received exactly what I asked for. That was just one of the many miracles I saw.
After 35 or so years, I resolved things with my sister. As soon as I decided to forgive and forget the past, a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders! I couldn't believe I was carrying it around for so long! After watching The Chosen, then reading the Book of Matthew, I will advocate for Jesus anytime now! He is pure love! The Bible (I like the King James version), once you start understanding it, is a very interesting story. I finally started going to church again. I thought I was doing okay with YouVersion, a Bible app, but going to church enhances the message He wants to give you, especially for someone like me who really doesn't know (but I'm learning!) the Bible well at all. Somehow, in the midst of all of this, I found myself lighter and realized I didn't feel guilty. I was pretty much a good person, but for some reason, never felt good enough and always feeling guilty even though I'd wrestle with myself wondering why. This lightness is because I have been forgiven. It's an amazing feeling! I urge you to give Jesus a chance because you can only get to God through Him. The way He works is by changing us on the inside, not outside. Where I used to be impatient at drivers, I no longer am. I have more patience than I have ever had and I feel so much love within me. I'm far from perfect, but I am perfect in God's eye and, again, I am changing on the inside. Change doesn't happen overnight. Just like exercise, reading the Bible consistently helps your spiritual growth.
I have to put in here that in 2019, my brother sent me the YouVersion app. I highly recommend it! It is the Bible on your phone and it has plans for everyone and everything. It may also help understand His words better and it's FREE! If you're anxious, there's a plan; if you're depressed, there's a plan; if you have an addiction, there's a plan. Funny, I had been following plans consistently on my phone, but never realized I was reading the Bible because it was on my phone!
follow-up APPOINTMENTS, ETC.
It's been 10 months since my last bit of chemo. I still have my chemo port. When I asked my oncologist when I could get it taken out, the only answer she could give me was that they are watching me well because I didn't have any surgery. I have stopped waiting to have it taken out and will patiently wait until the doctors are ready. I do see at least one doctor every three months, though in July 2026, I will see both my oncologist and my GI doctor, who took over for my surgeon because he has "better tools." You see, and I don't think it's that common as the doctor's assistant said that he "likes a challenge," which was taking out a polyp that had grown under scar tissue. Weird, huh? I was glad I was asleep during that and I did not feel anything the next day. I will say that my "plumbing" worked very well after that! I get blood tests and MRIs every 3 months as well. Since I'm not on chemo anymore and still have a port, they've been taking my blood through the port to keep it clean, thankfully. I mention all the doctors because I was never a big doctor person, so I know I've seen more doctors and had more visits since February 2025 than I had in my entire life.
Is this what you would enjoy? Seeing doctors so often it's hard to take a vacation? Being probed? I think I was lucky where the tumor was, but the doctors need to see the area too and that doesn't really hurt, it's just very uncomfortable. So far, all my tests and biopsies have been good. Because of God's promise to me, I don't worry about the tests; I know He's got my back. He let me know this cancer was done and I have no reason to doubt Him.
CHECK YOUR COLON. GET A COLONOSCOPY! If your bathroom habits change, get it done. I'm writing all of this to let you know what happens when you don't! I was lucky. I had 6 months of treatment; 3 months of radiation and 3 months of chemo. That was my life from February through September. I'm also lucky that it was caught in time, that I had muscle mass and that my follow-up tests have been good. I think everyone of of us has been touched by cancer. Try not to make it you!