Colin’s Story

Introduction to readers

Kia ora, my name is Colin Macdonald and I’m a stage III bowel cancer survivor.

When I laid in my hospital bed post bowel cancer surgery, I decided to fill in some of my recovery time writing about my cancer experience. My story may differ from other peoples experience due to the various symptoms, stages of cancer, medical history, different metabolisms and our family connections.

With the bowel cancer awareness programme held each year in June, I was keen to share my story and make others aware of this killer disease. My short story is a recollection of my cancer journey which is raw, thought provoking, distressing, educational and yet humorous. Having bowel cancer can be a scary journey and I don’t wish it on anyone. The C word – My Cancer Story may shock and be distressing to some but bowel cancer doesn’t discriminate and there is nothing pleasant about this disease. I hope it will invoke readers to take particular attention to the symptoms of bowel cancer and avoid a hole in your family’s life by getting early treatment.

Thank you to my wife Karen for her courage and support during that difficult time. Also a big thank you to my family, friends and work colleagues for hospital visits, facebook calls, rides to oncology appointments and supporting Karen during lonely moments at home.

The diagnosis.

It was one of those symptoms that I took for granted, blood in my stool. I thought, could this be the toilet paper irritating my skin. Being a typical man, I ignored it and believed it would go away and therefore I was really ignorant to the symptoms of bowel cancer. It was not long after that when a bowel screening kit turned up in the post from National Bowel Screening Programme (NBSP) for eligible men and women aged 60 -74. How convenient was that to turn up when I’m having these symptoms but I would soon learn later that this test probably saved my life. Following the instructions, I posted a test tube containing a sample of my stool back to the lab for testing. It wasn’t long after that I received a phone call to inform me of a positive result. It was first re-assuring when the Cancer Nurse Co-coordinator told me that a positive result doesn’t necessarily mean I have cancer. However, a colonoscopy was arranged in order to investigate further. The nurse explained that only a small percentage of the results turn out to be cancerous and may be just polyps which can be removed during the colonoscopy.

Over 95% of cancer in the colon and rectum develops from polyps, which are protrusions in the mucosal surface of the colon. The process may occur over years to decades and autopsies show that polyps are present in 30% of people aged over 60 years.

Preparing for the colonoscopy was an experience. The list of food and drinks two days before the procedure was fine but the midday before was no food and approved clear fluids. However, by evening I had to dissolve 2 x Glycoprep C sachets into 2 litres of water and drink over two hours. Another 1 litre was prepared for the morning of the colonoscopy to be drunk within an hour. The Glycoprep C causes you to have loose, watery bowel motions which empties and cleanses the bowel before the colonoscopy procedure. It was the best clean out of my digestive system I’ve had in ages, and was informed by the Doctor that my bowel wall was very clean. By all accounts it should be with the number of times I spent during the night rushing to the toilet.

An intravenous was inserted into a vein to receive a sedation drug before the procedure.

The colonoscopy itself was no major drama, slightly sedated while the camera was eased into the rectum. I was still able to communicate with a team of specialists and a nurse who was watching my vital signs. I was able to view the screen and watched the procedure as the camera explored the colon wall.

With the procedure over, I was sent to the recovery room to wait for my results and recover from the sedation. A sandwich was brought to me which was a relief after hours of being deprived of food. Admittedly a day without food didn’t do me any harm. My wife Karen was called by the nurse to pick me up from the hospital after the procedure due the affects of the sedation drug. When Karen turned up at the Colonoscopy clinic, we were escorted by a Cancer Nurse Co-coordinator to a private room where we would meet the Gastroenterologist who performed the colonoscopy. When he broke the news that I have an aggressive stage III colon cancer. I was terrifyingly shocked but then became more concerned about Karen’s reaction. Karen became teary learning of the news and all I could do is take her hand and comfort her while the nurse offered her a tissue. It was an emotional moment for us both as you begin to think the worst outcome. However, the good news was that it was discovered early enough through the bowel screening process and treatment can begin within weeks. The stage III colon cancer was eventually downgraded to stage II. Stages I and stage II are for cancers that haven’t spread beyond the primary tumour site while stage III has spread to nearby lymph nodes.

As the day passed and it began to sink in, the news brought up memories of my mum who died of stomach cancer at the age of 62. The surgeons removed as much of the cancer as possible but within weeks it would eventually take her life. Slowly watching her die on the last night will be forever etched in my memory. In spite of catching my own cancer early, you start to wonder negatively when and whether it will take me next. It was evident that the negative thoughts were counterproductive to my well being and would be better served by entertaining more positive outcomes.

Follow up consults at outpatients would determine the procedure going forward. I was assigned an Oncologist and a Colorectal Surgeon who separately outlined my treatment. It was first arranged by the Oncologist that I go through 5 weeks Monday to Friday of chemo / radiation followed by surgery 8 weeks later. The idea of the chemo / radiation was to reduce the cancer tumour before surgery. Both specialists outlined the risks and possible side effects of radiation treatment and post surgery. You begin to realise what did I do to contribute to this invader being inside me that can potentially rob me of my life early.

Once you choose HOPE anythings possible

Chemo and radiation oncology therapy

The chemo side of the treatment was to take capercit tablets (capercitabine) daily Monday – Friday, morning and afternoon doses for the five weeks duration of radiation treatment. Capercit is used to treat bowel cancer which either kill the cells, stop them from dividing or stopping them from spreading.

Radiation treatment is given by a machine called a Linear Accelerator. It uses electricity to generate high energy radiation beams that are used for the treatment. It was a painless session that lasted about 10 minutes. The technicians would set you up on the treatment bed of the machine and mark out on your body with a black felt pen where they wanted the beam to strike. Some days the felt pen markings were not easily moved after showering and by the end of the week you felt like your body was a canvas for a Picasso painting. Their were weekly consults with an oncology nurse or oncologist to see how well I was coping with treatment or had any questions about my treatment.

The challenge I found was having to drink a litre of water before my treatment to expand the bladder and retain it during treatment. Expanding the bladder pushes the bowel higher up into the abdomen away from the radiation beam. Their were moments during my five weeks of radiation where I found it hard to retain a full bladder before therapy especially if they were running late. I had to rush to a toilet and start again with another litre of water and hoped they were ready for me this time. Other times I held on with agony on the machine and quickly relieved myself on the toilet when treatment was finished.

It was explained that chemo and radiation oncology therapy can come with side effects which can range from skin reactions, bowel upset and bladder upset. I found that after several weeks of treatment my taste buds had changed and eating smaller meals. Keeping myself hydrated was important to help flush out toxins out of the body and reduce treatment side effects, such as nausea, weakness, constipation and fatigue.

Each day I would meet others in the oncology waiting room with various cancers and in different stages of their treatment. It was a bit of a sombre place but I found some were quite open to discuss their ordeal and prognosis. Oncology nurses were so professional, very friendly in their approach and made you feel at ease. I found them very forthcoming with my questions I had about the treatment or how the Linear Accelerator worked.

With chemo and radiation oncology treatment over, it would be approximately eight weeks until surgery as it was important to let the acute radiation treatment subside. I felt okay to return to work in my security role at a Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ) site for Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment.

Don’t sit on your symptoms

Day of operation

Up early for a 7.45am admittance, took my pre-op drink before departing to Christchurch hospital. No food from the night before, just Pico Prep powder solution to cleanse the bowel. I was a bit anxious of what laid ahead for me but new I would be in good professional hands.

Signed into the admittance ward at the assigned time and was soon whisked into a room, gowned up and placed in a bed for the first operation of the day under my colorectal surgeon. I was soon approached by the anaesthetist who would take me to the anaesthetic room in preparation for surgery. My surgeon popped in to see me and give assurance. I asked him how steady his hands were and he obliged by showing me his unfaltering hands. After a pre op questionnaire and signed consent, a drug was inserted into my arm through an intravenous before being asked to sit up on the edge of the bed for an injection in my spine. That was it, lights out very quickly, it robbed me of seeing the inside of the operating theatre. Spinal anaesthetic is usually inserted for operations below the waist. This is done with an injection in your back that makes you numb from the waist downwards, meaning that you will not feel the operation being done.

A small portion of my small bowel along with the invading tumour was removed and a temporary stoma pouch was inserted to collect my waste as the colon would need time to heal.

After a 5 hour operation I woke up in the post operation recovery room in such a daze, confused, delirious to my surroundings and moaning in pain. I felt my breathing was very heavy as the recovery nurses assured me I was okay and brought everything under control. Even a lemonade ice popsicle was a welcome relief for my scratchy throat. I had lost sense of time but it must of been mid afternoon when two nurses turned up to take me to surgical ward for the recovery.

Exercise is important for bowel cancer recovery. Move your Butt

General surgery ward A5

I started settling into my large private room when my nurses escorted me on my first exercise walk around the ward. Soon after it was my first meal of the day. The taste buds said it was okay but food had a slightly different texture to it. I was not keen and I aborted it after half a dozen mouthfuls. Jelly and ice cream which I can normally scoff down was a slow process. Taste, smell or feeling of food are a common effect for people before, during and after cancer treatment. This can affect what foods you are able to eat and enjoy eating, and may contribute to a loss of appetite and weight loss.

Following my day of surgery it was expected my discharge day would be 18th February 2022 giving me ten days to recover. Unknown to me at this stage things were about to take a nasty turn that went well beyond the expected discharge date.

Early the next morning post surgery I was on the phone to my wife Karen when all of a sudden their was extreme pain in my chest. I started moaning profusely and I can hear my wife Karen yelling down the phone “get some help.” Before I knew it about six nurses rushed in and surrounded me before I let out a volley of vomit over one nurses uniform. A nurse asked whether that felt better to which I replied “yes much better thank you.” All this time Karen was still on the phone and heard the whole commotion. I assured her I was okay now before finishing our call. It must have been very unsettling for Karen to hear all that and possibly played on her mind for the rest of the day. I was so happy to see her in the evening that day and again assure her that I was okay.

Unfortunately the week was not going to get better due to vomiting and my stoma output was to high and became tiring to empty day and night. A normal stoma output should be 500ml-1litre per day, however I exceeded that.

It was decided by the house surgeon to place a nasogastric tube down to remove gastric content due to the sickness and nausea. A nasogastric tube is a flexible plastic tube inserted up through the nostrils and down the throat and into the stomach. This had to be one of the most horrible experiences of my life. The insertion was torturous to say the least and then to put up with a tube in my throat which antagonised me when swallowing. It wasn’t an easy night of sleep with nurses doing their blood pressure and temperature checks and an irritating tube. I felt I had spiralled down mentally, just totally miserable. In the morning I pleaded with a young nurse to message the doctors team to take it out. I said I would rather be sick than having this uncomfortable tube irritating my throat. After much reminders during the morning I finally got my wish. What a relief, it totally changed my mood. It probably wasn’t in my best interest to ask them to remove it as the procedure was obviously necessary. However, the waste had slowed down, hence the removal of the tube which was easier to come out than going in.

I was told to eat cracker biscuits and plenty of salty snacks like potato crisps and add salt to my meals. Even marshmallows were recommended so Karen bought a large bag for me to scoff into. As much as people wanted me to eat them, my body just wasn’t interested. I even just picked at my hospital meals.

Karen turned up at the hospital and ran into her friend Dara Peters on the ground floor of the hospital. Dara had come to visit me as well. In spite of the one visitor policy due to COVID restrictions, both of them just waltzed in to my room. I suspect the reception didn’t spot them as reception was just outside my room. We started chatting away when all of sudden I started to feel cold. As we continued talking I felt a shiver coming on and grabbed my dressing gown to put on. Suddenly my whole body was uncontrollably shaking. Karen pushed the help assist button for a nurse and then held me and encouraged me to breath in and out slowly. This is when poor Dara thought she should leave when the nurse turned up. I was put to bed with a warmed up sheet and I stopped shivering after possibly a quarter of an hour to twenty minutes. The signs and symptoms tells the team that it was probably a chest infection. The assistant surgeon who called in the following day contributed it to an infected IV line. However, their is various opinions on that theory from others.

Due to an increase in covid cases, the hospital put a no visitor policy in place to protect the patients who were most vulnerable. While it was hard, I understood the reasons for that decision. Luckily for technology we were able to face time, however it just wasn’t the same. I missed the hugs and the company of family and friends at this vulnerable time in my life.

The week went from bad to worse as I started vomiting over several nights. I could feel it as I settled down for the night that something was brewing downstairs. And surely enough up it came. Nurses were awesome and took it their stride changing my soiled pyjamas and bed sheets.

A CT scan was carried out to see what the problem was and the diagnosis was not good. The scan surprisingly according to my surgeon showed a collapsed bowel and a blockage. However, he couldn’t make sense of the blockage as my stoma was working overtime with a high output. The collapsed bowel stunned him as he hasn’t seen anything like it in his 20 years of surgery. His exact words were “We are in unchartered waters.” Not exactly what I wanted to hear.

The next phase started to stress me more when a house surgeon approached me to advise that they are going to re insert the nasogastric tube. My heart sunk and my mood changed suddenly at the thought of going through that again. Torture all over again as the tube was inserted and my howling of displeasure was ignored. It was two days in this uncomfortable position that I ended up with a hoarse voice when it was finally removed. Their was very little signs of vile coming out into the collection bag which prompted the removal. Again relief was written all over my face.

Surprisingly to the surgeon my stoma output was very erratic and reached a high output of 1600ml per day. A high stoma occurs when a portion of the bowel is removed and is not efficient at absorbing fluid. A high stoma output can lead to poor absorption of nutrients, salts and fluids which can lead to dehydration and weight loss. I lost 12kg during my seven week stay.

A decision was made to insert a cipp line into my arm where a TPN bag would feed my body with the nutrition it needed. It was nil by mouth for a start and just small sips of water. Eventually solid food was introduced in very small portions. However, after a few days the stoma output went high and it was back to Nil By Mouth to see whether that was the cause. After a few days the stoma output was reduced to a litre and remained steady. Ideally the figure the doctors were aiming for was 600ml per day but 800ml was acceptable. However, a litre was not a crisis as a stoma reversal would take the water and salts out with the work of the large intestine.

While I managed to keep myself occupied with regular ward walks, watching TV, watching movies on my computer and writing my cancer story, I felt cooped up, missed family and the fresh air. I was given a new room with a view of the gardens after enquiring with reception seeing I was in for a long stay. However a big break came during my surgeons ward round when he asked if I would like to go outside in the fresh air for awhile. I obviously jumped at the chance and an arrangement was made for my first outing with a nurse aid who pushed me in a wheel chair to Hagley park across the road from the hospital. It was such a relief to be outside on a beautiful day under the trees and smelling fresh air and surrounded by nature. The nurse aid whom was only a few metres away from me seemed to have enjoyed her time outside from a stuffy ward. This would be the first of many trips from the ward and eventually unescorted. I was meeting up with my Karen and my daughter Sarah in the gardens after my TPN was finished normally after mid day. I would be re hooked up to the TPN approximately at 5.00pm again. Some days I would just sit downstairs in the hospital cafe when I had no visitors for a change in scenery.

During my time on the TPN my surgeon mentioned that they may do a stoma reversal before leaving the hospital. Stoma reversal operations normally take months down the track after colon surgery so that the body can heal. In order for that to happen, I had a dye test in the radiology department to see whether the colon had any leaks following the operation. This involved a dye inserted up my rectum through a tube and X-ray pictures taken. I was ecstatic when the news came back that it was all clear.

A tentative date was arranged for the stoma reversal and as long as my stats were good, then they would go ahead. My surgeon did warn me however that if the signs were not good then he will not go ahead with the operation. With all my other signs looking good I asked what is it that would stop the operation going ahead. Apparently my albumin level was shy of being acceptable for an operation. Albumin is a protein in your blood plasma which keeps fluid from leaking out of your bloodstream. If performed to early with a low albumin level, there could be leakages and a very sick person on a stoma for a long time. I gave way to practising my religion a long time ago but found myself asking god to heal me. I preyed that my stats will be good enough for the operation to proceed as planned and a quick recovery so I can get home into the arms of my wife whom I love and missed very much. Late afternoon before the day of surgery, a house surgeon turned up with the consent form to sign and emphasised that their was still no guarantee that surgery would go ahead as the Albumin level was still on the mind of the surgeon. Also surgery could be jeopardised by emergencies where a life was at stake. I was allowed outside for a walk around Hagley park after my TPN was finished for the day. Before going back to the ward I sat by the Avon river which ran by the hospital grounds and contemplated on the day ahead of me. Their was moments of anxiety as I laid down for the night, however, under the circumstances I managed some sleep.

I awoke the next morning to be told by the nurse that the surgery team would meet at 8.00am to discuss the surgery schedule. Thankfully to my relief I was scheduled for late morning and the team prepared me for the theatre. I didn’t ask but I assumed my albumin level was okay to operate. I went through the checklist with the anaesthetist before being led into the preparation room next to the operating theatre. Eventually my bed was wheeled into the theatre where I was transferred to the surgical table. It was such an overwhelming feeling as you try to take it all in before the anaesthetic mask is fitted around your nose and mouth with a gas to render you unconscious. Waking up from the operation was not as dramatic as my previous encounter was and I was shortly back in the ward.

Following the operation I was still on the TPN but also eating solids. I wasn’t big on eating meals and felt that the dietician would like me to eat more. Therefore in my mind if I was expecting to be discharged I felt obliged to eat more and eventually she downsized my TPN nutrition. But by now I was well over being in hospital in spite of the good care from the nurses. During a routine house surgeons visit I popped the question “is their a possibility that I can be discharged today.” He said that will be up to my surgeon but he will raise it with him. Nurses must have eventually got the message as they prepared me for discharge by taking the TPN line out of my arm. Discharge papers would take a bit of time to organise with the house surgeons so I packed my case and prepared to leave the room for the cleaning staff. I sat in the TV room/ reception area until I eventually received my papers and prescriptions from the doctor and organised my lift home. My Brother N Law Ryan and nephew Kyan turned up to give me a lift home. Oh bliss on my way home at last.

From a week and half before my stoma reversal I was given the opportunity to go home for a few hours in the afternoon when my TPN was finished around 1-2pm. I would return to the hospital by 5.00pm to be reattached to the TPN. It was a good feeling to be home now and not having to return to hospital. However, the short breaks I believe kept me mentally sane during my hospital ordeal.

During my stay in the ward I spent a lot of time walking around the ward, reading, watching movies on my lap top computer and watching TV in the wards TV room. One evening I went to the TV room to watch the news when a middle aged male patient came in to make a cup of tea in the kitchen near by. He greeted me and I politely greeted him back before he sat down beside me. I asked him what brings him to this ward. He replied that he has cancer and only has about six weeks to live. I was stunned and lost for words, however, he carried on by answering that he was ready to go and had a wonderful life. He discussed his move to a hospice within days and that he will be leaving behind a wife and two grown up children. I was so sorry to hear about his gloomy prognosis however, he seemed to have accepted his outcome. I walked back to my room after meeting this courageous man and just thought how lucky I was and that my prognosis had a better outcome. I came in contact with others on the ward with sad outcomes and just reminded me how vulnerable we all are.

Bowel cancer has no shame. And neither should you.

Home recovery

Recovery I discovered was going to be a long process of ups and downs physically and mentally. The first night at home was about to test my coping mechanism. My interest in food was lacking as I couldn’t complete a small meal. My digestive system was increasingly uncomfortable which led to runny stools throughout the night and lack of sleep. Food struggles and runny stools would continue for awhile and struggled to get out of bed from fatigue. Runny stool leads to dehydration, therefore it was important to keep hydrated. At the end of the week things started to improve as my stool became solid, however, runny stools in between. My food intake was also increasing but with small portions. Fatigue and tiredness still plagued me and it became a mission to engage in any exercise.

I was planning to return to work within weeks of my discharge at MIQ but with continued bowel complications I delayed my return. I couldn’t rely on my situation without running to a toilet regularly. This would also affect me going out anywhere like visiting family, shopping or walks. Spending much of my days at home recuperating would also lead to mild depression. As more weeks passed the complications became less severe but not over. Started with walks around the neighbourhood before venturing further afield. It was strange when I eventually stepped into my local shopping mall but made myself aware of where the toilets were when things got uncomfortable.

It had been thirteen weeks of recovery and my bowel was making some improvement due to a change in my loperamide capsule dozes. My appetite and taste buds had improved immensely at this stage even though my bowel wasn’t out of the woods yet. I woke up one morning in that fourteenth week and was feeling off colour. I laid around on the couch for the day and managed some sleep. I was in no mood to eat, however Karen persuaded me to tackle a small amount. In the evening after watching a movie, I got up to go to the kitchen to top up my drinking bottle before bed. On reaching the kitchen I became dizzy and reached out to steady myself on the kitchen bench. All of a sudden it was lights out as I fainted with the back of my head crashing down on the tiled floor. I was unconscious and came around to Karen shaking and screaming at me. Karen called family within our street to come over and assist by calling an ambulance. I started vomiting several times as the first responder arrived and could sense a loose bowel movement all at the same time. Two ambulance officers arrived and after a clean up from the first responder I was eventually whisked of to emergency. I have to give credit to St John ambulance for their professionalism and the care from the episode at home to my transfer to hospital. I feel sorry for the first responder who had to wipe my arse but I guess its nothing to them, all in a days work.

Arrived late in the evening at emergency department and whisked of to a cubicle for assessment and a scan. While its not certain what caused the fainting it could be put down to the fatigue of my recovery and the side effects of treatment. While no major damage was done but a sore bruised head which can still cause light headiness today after certain exercises or quick movements.

Released from ED early in the morning and received results of scan when I got home. Because I mentioned to the ED doctor that I recently had colon cancer, they scanned my colon area as well for assurance. They scheduled a return to surgery assessment ward as the scan showed a blockage. After hours in the ward and a further scan and assessing the results, they found no blockage. I seem to have been their before.

Before the first anniversary of my treatment I was scheduled a follow up scan and colonoscopy and was relieved to learn that I was all clear of the disease. The side effects of diarrhoea continue and may continue for some time but I have life and I am thankful for that. I give gratitude everyday and appreciate life more as many are not fortunate and are robbed of their life, some at an earlier age.

“Colon cancer is a battle we can win with early detection and regular screenings.” Unknown

Lifestyle change:

Having had colon cancer I decided to make some lifestyle changes especially in nutrition. I gave up eating red meat and processed meat. While their are others who may argue differently, my research shows that eating red meat and processed meats increases your risk of bowel and stomach cancer. I had the thought of becoming a vegetarian but chicken and fish still remains in my diet. Eliminating red meat from my diet was not suggested by the health specialists as nutrition was not a major part of medical professionals curriculum at medical school. Nutritional health is something I had to research myself to reduce further risk of diseases such as cardiovascular or cancer. While meat provides protein and iron, they can be sourced from other foods which are healthier.

While in hospital I researched for alternative treatments for cancer and came across many sources where people changed their diets to reverse their cancer situations instead of mainstream medicine. While I viewed the videos and read peoples success stories the alternative made sense. In some ways I wish I was brave enough to take the alternative route and conquered it naturally. However I feel that having this second chance after mainstream treatment, I can amend my nutritional ways from now on. While alternative nutritional methods are gathering momentum amongst medical professionals, conventional medicine still dominates the health system.

It was recommended that I retain some form of exercise to reduce anxiety and depression. Only hours after my cancer operation, nurses encouraged me to start walking around the ward and would become a daily ritual several times a day. Lapping the nurses station and reception with trailing a drip line behind me many times a day would prompt them to shout out, GO YOU, LOOK AT YOU GO – SPEEDY. As much as I sometimes loath exercise, it has become a regular routine for a healthier lifestyle.

According to the stats, bowel cancer is the most commonly reported cancer in New Zealand, with approximately 3000 cases and 1200 deaths each year. While colon cancer normally affects people over 65, younger people are becoming victims to this disease as well. Therefore it makes more sense to me now that if we wish to be around for our families longer, then we need to change our eating habits. We have been conditioned to easy and ready made processed foods for convenience, foods and drinks high in sugar and fats. I recommend men and woman, the young and elderly to get regular health checks and be aware of the bowel cancer symptoms. It may save your life.

Treatment for colon cancer doesn’t necessary mean everything is back to normal. After over two years since my cancer operation the side effects of diarrhoea still remains with me. Their have been good days when everything feels normal and the bad days which can have an effect on your mental state. Certain foods can now cause havoc and has therefore become a learning curve as I tread my way through this food minefield. Bowel blockages plagued me for a period which resulted in a number of trips to the emergency department and the trauma of nasogastric tubes again. Bowel blockages caused severe pain in the abdomen which resulted in vomiting and fainting. Post surgery may cause abdominal adhesions even months or years after surgery. In the case of my bowel obstructions, I was appointed a hospital dietician who recommended a plan of easy digestible food like soups and overcooked vegetables until the bowel healed.

I have been blessed with this opportunity of life, its been so far a journey with highs and lows. But I have been thrown a lifeline in the wake of my cancer scare and value my life more than ever now. I am blessed with a loving family and friends who have genuinely cared for my well being for which I’m truly thankful. In spite of the ups and downs I believe it’s important to retain a positive attitude and to give gratitude for each day. Exercise has become an important part of my daily routine for recovery and to reduce the likely hood of further cancer in the future.

What does not destroy me, makes me stronger.