Survivor Story: Kristi Holcomb

My name is Kristi and I am a cancer survivor!

I am 44 years old, married and have one beautiful, 19 year old daughter. Until my cancer diagnosis the hardest part of my day was deciding what to cook for supper. I have always been a lucky woman…

In all my years growing up, I knew a few family members that had been diagnosed with cancer, but because it wasn’t my mother or father I guess I never worried about it. Even when the symptoms began – I pretended they weren’t there. For over a year I ignored it. Wow, what a huge mistake that was…

You see, the only symptom I had was vaginal “pressure” pain during intercourse with my husband. No pain any other time. No blood in stools. No mucus. No rectal changes at all, just vaginal discomfort during sex. So, I ignored it for the first few months, because it was “just” a minimal ache. Then as the pain increased, making intimacy almost impossible, I decided to make an appointment with the Gynecologist.

My first gynecologist exam won me a trip to the colon doctor. The first visit to the colon doctor won me a biopsy, that same day. He told me after the exam, “I’ve seen this before, and I believe you have anal canal cancer.” Three days later I learned the biopsy revealed Colon Cancer. One colonoscopy later, I was diagnosed with Stage III Colon Cancer that started 2-3cm inside the rectum. The tumor was as large as a small orange and had invaded the back of my vaginal wall…which meant not only would I be having colon surgery, I would also need vaginal reconstruction. My life at that very moment changed.

In September 2010, I started my treatments. So in the battle of Kristi vs Cancer here was the match:

Round 1 – Chemotherapy Pump 24/7 for 5-6wks

Radiation M-F for 28 sessions

Round 2 – 5 weeks recovery

Round 3 – Surgery -(colostomy & vaginal reconstruction)

Round 4 – 5 weeks recovery

Round 5 – 6 months of Chemo to make sure it is all gone

The chemotherapy treatments were easy compared to the pain of the radiation, but the way I looked at it is that you must “pay” for the things you want. I wanted to be rid of the cancer. So, the question was, “What am I willing to ‘pay’?” The answer was easy. I was willing to pay ANY cost to stay alive. So I looked at the treatment phase as a temporary segment of my life. Yea, it took a year, it was difficult, but I always looked at it as temporary. I knew if I could tough it out I would be okay. So I did.

Now, one year after my Stage III diagnosis, I have a daughter in college, a loving husband, a colostomy bag, and a newly reconstructed vagina *smile*. Notice the smile? It represents how happy I am with my results and all that I learned during this journey.

I am thankful to be alive. And I’m grateful for every breath I take. Plain and simple. There is no line too long, no traffic too slow, or no person angry enough to ruin my day. It is a conscious choice I make, and I like living this way. If it weren’t for the “downside”, everyone would want cancer. It makes you see your world in a whole new light….

My name is Kristi and I am a cancer survivor!

View my Caring Bridge page here.