March is COLON CANCER AWARENESS month.
Maybe you knew this, maybe you didn’t. I never heard of such a thing…until I had colon cancer.
Dark BLUE is the color that represents Colon Cancer...it seems each cancer owns a color. I never knew. It’s sad really.
My father said, his science teacher, from the 1950’s, told his class that everyone will eventually die of some kind of cancer if something else does not get you first. Pretty astute comment from that era. Sadly, it seems he was right.
My Grandmother had colon cancer and breast cancer, and died. My Aunt has breast cancer and has been battling it throughout her body for more than a decade. Several of my friends have, or have had, cancer. And everyone I talk to knows someone close to them who has been touched by cancer in some way or another. Sadder than sad.
Cancer is a BEAST.
I know, firsthand, the beasty-ness of it. IF I could give an image to the beasty-ness, I’d liken cancer to the dragon in Tolkien’s, Lord of the Ring’s, Smaug. He is overwhelmingly huge, he is a dangerous fire-breather, claimed a mountain to be his own, and he scares the bejeebers out of everyone who treads nearby. Yes. Cancer is like that.
It is overwhelmingly huge, dangerous, claims territory, and scares the bejeebers out of the one who is diagnosed with it. SADLY, with all caps, I know this.
BUT, there is good news x 3.
Good news #1 = Early detection of cancer means good chance of recovery! Do not dismiss any odd lumps, bumps, or fluctuations in your body….feelings, tiredness, or in the case of colon cancer, bowel movements; pay attention to symptoms! Do not dismiss routine scans or screens meant for early detection. Believe me, any test or procedure is nothing compared to the BEAST! Sadly, early detection was not afforded me.
Good news #2 = There are excellent doctors and nurses and care systems and treatments that can prolong your life by eradicating the rogue cells and the tumor. I am a colon cancer survivor (survivor’s own the color purple) and I have nothing but great things to say for the care I received locally and in Boston.
Good news #3 = In the case that something is found and you find yourself battling the BEAST, know that you have access to someone bigger than the BEAST. Someone who can sustain you, carry you, and do miracles. Just three letters names Him: GOD.
In October of 2011 I began writing my memoir for my family, to remember me and my battle by — in April 2012, my story was accepted by my publisher and it was released just six months from the time I typed my first word in the manuscript; I call it a God-thing. He gave me the story and I mean to share it.
Towdah: A Cancer Survivor’s Song of Hope
I invite you to read my story and pass it along. I invite you to encourage others to not procrastinate in getting their baseline colonoscopy. I invite you to share this post for the purpose of enlightening others about Colon Cancer Awareness month.
Always a Song of Hope 