I noticed a stabbing pain in my stomach and blood in my stool. I also started losing weight and generally felt unwell. A few weeks later, I went to seek medical attention. Subsequent tests revealed that I had stage 1 colon adenocarcinoma. Other symptoms that I experienced from my cancer include:

• Constant abdominal pain, aches or cramps
• Tiredness or fatigue

I remembered feeling fearful and surprised when I first received my diagnosis. I was in the emergency room alone, because it was during COVID when this happened. They initially told me that the cancer was in my liver and lungs as well, so it seemed worse at that time than it ended up being.

I proceeded with my doctor’s recommendation and opted for partial colectomy (removal of a part of colon) and lymphadenectomy (removal of lymph nodes). I felt optimistic as I have always been an optimist but I was scared to death about the surgery, as well as having to be in the hospital alone (again, it was during COVID). I was unprepared for the amount of stress every little ache and pain would give me as I kept wondering if it was something bad. Luckily, I only needed surgery to remove about half my colon — the ascending/transverse sections.

In terms of medical costs, I am covered by insurance.

I plan to work and have more trips while continuing to be creative with my plans.

Throughout my experience with cancer, I found my day-to-day life the most difficult to manage. I tried to cope by always knowing where a restroom was and what I could and could not eat.

Having survived cancer, I believe the most difficult part of being a cancer survivor is coping with the challenges it brings, such as:

• Emotional and psychological impact of cancer
• Fear of recurrence
• Coping with a ‘new normal’ or lifestyle changes

I have a therapist whom I work with to talk through the trauma of having gone through much of my cancer experience alone. Being alone in hospitals and during scans because of COVID protocols was more traumatic than the cancer itself.

Like many cancer patients, I was afraid of the cancer returning and of the impact of my cancer on family or relationships. I tried to overcome this by speaking to a therapist or counselor and by joining a support group or connecting with other cancer survivors.

I still feel fearful. I’m constantly fearful because my father had four different cancers, so I’m prepared for the possibility of another diagnosis.

I would tell others experiencing cancer that you can absolutely find joy in unexpected ways. It all feels so overwhelming at first but take things as they come and try to find joy where you can. You will always think about recurrence but try to push the fears to the side — acknowledge that they are there and that they are valid.