Cancer Thrivers, Fighters, Survivors & Those WITh A LegaCY

A Colon Cancer Fighter  - Mercy Medical Center

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A Breast Cancer Fighter and Race Announcer's Noisy Comeback

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  Here's a great story about another cancer warrior. Read article here.

"Hope you are having a great day. I wanted to thank you for helping nudge regarding colonoscopy appointments. After we discussed I pushed him further to get it scheduled. He had his procedure this morning [September 22, 2023] and thankfully they were able to remove a few masses one larger than normal by a significant amount. The doctor stated if the labs don't come back cancerous it would have turned cancerous. They were able to remove with margins so we should be good. The doctor said patients like you are why these are so critical."

I’m Robin V, diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic Colon Cancer in March 2012, at the age 39. I actually had many symptoms, very anemic, stomach and pelvic pain, cramping, some bleeding. But since I was so young, I had to keep pushing so my doctors would listen that there was a real problem. I went from going to the doctor once a year to going to the doctor constantly. I finally found a doctor that would listen and I thank God for her every day. Screening saves lives and is SO important. This is a mostly preventable disease, since during the screening, polyps can be removed before they become cancer. Since I was too young for a screening, it’s also incredibly important to listen to your body! Deep down, you know when something is wrong. I was given 10% odds to live when I was diagnosed; I went through 12 rounds of aggressive chemo, colon and liver surgeries, and I am now 9 years cancer-free!! In 2018, my FRATERNAL twin sister, Meredith Chezem, was diagnosed Stage 2 Colon Cancer at 45 years old, and has found out she has the Lynch Syndrome gene (I do not). Thankfully, after colon surgery, she is also cancer-free since 2018. Get your screenings, know your family history, and be your own advocate, because you are never too young for colon cancer! 

Hi everyone! I’m Alexa, a 32 year old mom, wife and stage 4 crc survivor. I was 29 when I had had 2 ½ weeks of blood in my stool and a colonoscopy a week later lef to my metastatic colon cancer diagnosis. It was the biggest shock of our lives especially since I felt and looked healthy and I was just 13 months postpartum from having my son. It’s crazy to think that I had late stage cancer my entire pregnancy without knowing. Maddox is an absolute miracle and as much as I wish we found my cancer sooner, he may not be here today if we did. That right there shakes me to my core since he’s gotten us through some of the hardest moments of our lives.

Since I was a seemingly “healthy” 29 year old at diagnosis, the initial plan was the kitchen sink of colon cancer chemo (12 rounds of Folfoxiri), 2 liver resections (gallbladder removal too), and a hemicolectomy where I lost a foot of my colon. We celebrated May 2020 like the cancer was never coming back and I’m so glad we did, especially after finishing chemo during a pandemic. However, lung mets showed up 3 months later and I’ve been chasing them for the last 2 years. Since then I’ve gone on to have SBRT radiation and 3 minimally invase VATS lung surgeries, the last one being a completion lobectomy of my right middle lung as that’s where most of the disease was. I am so happy to say that today my liver and colon have been clear for 28 months and my right lung is 8 months clear. I’ve now had clear scans March, June, and September 2022. I’m here to tell you that it is possible to survive a diagnosis like this. To anyone who’s fighting a similar fight, I am praying for you. Please keep going!

It’s often hard to think about positives that come from cancer, but I truly believe that it has helped realize how I want to live and who I want to be in this life. It’s taught me to be kinder, more patient and to live a life that I’m proud of. I wake up and do my best every day to the be the best mom, wife, friend, sister, daughter, etc. I also find so much joy from advocacy and helping other newly diagnosed patients any little way that I can like so many have done for me. We make sure to enjoy life NOW because we are now increasingly aware that tomorrow isn’t promised.

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