Four Years

Today I reach the four year mark of a cancer diagnosis.

WOW.

It was a challenging time for all of us. We had just broken ground on our new home about a month before. I was getting things ready to start the school year for me. Alex and I were back-to-school shopping for him. Joe was about to begin his first year of college.

BOOM!

Out of nowhere appears a five day horrendous stomachache, a trip to the ER, testing all night long, then being admitted, more testing, discovering a tumor in my colon, then surgery to remove it.

Then there was a hospital stay of almost a week, adjusting to a colostomy, relying on the visiting nurse to teach us how to change the colostomy appliance, then thanking GOD for such a fantastic husband.

After that I dealt with not being able to start the school year, seeing our oldest son start college at a local university branch, then a fall outside the orthodontist's office, in which I cracked a couple of ribs.

Throughout which time I had begun meeting with oncologists, and discussing chemo.

Yes, it was a busy time. I can remember saying, "I just wish I could fast forward a few years and have this all behind me."

Now it's definitely a few years later and things are going extremely well. I'm ready to start the countdown to the almighty five year mark.

No matter how old you are, please consider having a colonoscopy!