Stories

Mattew’s story about finding strength and support in the fight against colon cancer

Photo taken from Colorectal Cancer Alliance/LinkedIn

Jul 21, 2024, 17:02

Mattew’s story about finding strength and support in the fight against colon cancer

shared on LinkedIn:

“After feeling sick for a prolonged period of time, Matthew went to the doctors. While originally diagnosed with diverticulitis, the doctors eventually found a five inch tumor in his colon. Matthew had stage IV colon cancer that had metastasized in his liver – he was given just six months to live. It has been three years since he was given just a few months to live and Matthew is still treating his cancer. While he has taken on surgery, chemo, and more to become cancer free, it continues to return.

Matthew is a single father of a twelve year old that he wants to be there for. He wants to provide for her and be there for her emotionally, which he knows means he needs to get healthy physically and mentally. ‘The mental toll it takes on you is the hardest part and I went looking for a strong support system who knew what it was like to go through the same thing as me.’

Mattew's story

Matthew called the Helpline at the Colorectal Cancer Alliance looking for someone in a similar situation as him. He had sought support groups and group therapy after feeling isolated and lacking connection during his cancer treatment. The area of Illinois he lives in is pretty rural though and the support groups included older individuals who he struggled to relate to. Through the Alliance Matthew was connected with a Buddy Mentor named Dave who was also a dad who had also faced colorectal cancer.

These programs are made possible by donors like you. This Social Media Giving Day, consider a donation to the Alliance.”

Source: /LinkedIn