From Diagnosis to Recovery: A Teacher’s Story of Hope and Resilience

Colorectal Cancer Alliance posted on X:

” ‘In April of 2023, at the age of 49, I had a baseline colonoscopy. I woke up from the anesthesia to the news that there was a mass in my colon, surprising as I’d had no symptoms. I was fortunate to have family resources (and good insurance) that helped me quickly schedule the bloodwork and scans that were needed to allow me to schedule the surgery to remove the mass.

Within a month I’d had surgery to remove it, a diagnosis of stage IIIa colon cancer, and an appointment with an oncologist. A month later, I was enrolled in a clinical trial that would not only monitor my treatments and health for the next five years, but would help (I hope) contribute to the progress in detecting and determining the best, least invasive treatment possible for future colon cancer patients.

One year and 4 rounds of chemo later: I am currently cancer-free.

As a high school teacher, I decided early on to share my diagnosis and treatment from the very first finding to the most recent updates, in the hopes that educating those around me would help others understand the importance of colonoscopies… and to maybe not be so afraid of a cancer diagnosis, should that happen. I’m so glad that I did. The outpouring of support and promises to schedule colonoscopies was encouraging. My family, friends, students, and complete strangers went out of their way to offer help; I couldn’t have done it without them.

I also found that the colon cancer support groups on social media were extremely helpful in answering questions and offering suggestions and experiences that made this whole thing less scary than it could’ve been-so if you’re diagnosed with colon cancer, definitely find those groups, I don’t think you’ll regret it.

I recognize that my diagnosis could change at any time, but instead of being anxious about what could be, I’m determined to enjoy every day as it comes. Because of my support network and excellent medical team, I know I’m in good hands, no matter what happens next.’- Shelley E.

Need support? Join our Facebook support group, Blue Hope Nation.”

Source: Colorectal Cancer Alliance/X