Here we are, in the New Year.

The end of 2024 has rocked the world of my family unit.

An evening after work in late November, I knew something was terribly wrong. I went to the emergency room, they found a mass in my colon and suspicious lesions on my liver. Step one was to remove the tumor and unblock my colon. Day 2 in the hospital I had an urgent surgery to do just that and add a colostomy. I was in the hospital 5 total days, and was home in time for Thanksgiving with my littles and my love.

Over the past month we have been on a rollercoaster of imaging and treatment plan options as I healed from surgery; though never feeling sick. In disbelief that there could be something inside me, ravaging my insides, and me, not a clue.

My final staging is stage 4 colon cancer, with metastasis to my liver. My risk factors are family members on both sides of my family with colon cancer, all post 50 years of age… no other risk factors. I am too young for screening (that starts at 45-so 5 years away!), that in hindsight would have had to start at 30 for hope to avoid our current situation.

Over the past month we have been pretty close to home and trying to prepare as much as you can for the complete unknown. We have been living each moment and emotion; so thankful to have been working so much on connecting with my boys and myself over the past few years. Boundaries are easier to define and keeping positivity around us has been goal number one. The load has been lighter due to an incredible partner who is my biggest cheerleader and protector. Our neighbors have been generous with meals and my coworkers have been incredibly supportive in every way I ask. My ostomy supplies “dealer” will always have a special place in my heart.

As I head into battle today, I am thankful and ready for this next step. Blessings on my nurses and doctors as they prepare to travel this road with me that no one should have to travel.