Shanecia Terry
Waverly Hall, GA
My name is Shanecia Terry and I’m a Colon Cancer Survivor of 11 months. I’m also a single mother of an 11 year old name Jaylyn Richardson, and currently an active soldier in the United States Army National Guard. My civilian job is a data entry clerk at a facility name Angiodynamics which is a medical plant that manufactures different medical supplies.
I have no history of cancer in my family. Some of my symptoms were severe Anemia, weight loss, appetite loss, fatigue, bloody stool and irregular blood count. There were many tests and procedures that I under went. MRI, colonoscopy, bone marrow biopsy and different types of blood work, over four blood transfusions.
Emory University Hospital located in Atlanta, Georgia diagnosed me with colon cancer after the second visit and after spending an entire year in Columbus Georgia going back and fourth to the doctor for the symptoms.
Emory University Hospital is ultimately where I received a laparscopic right hemicolectomy.
This has made me realize the importance of living and to never take for granted that you have tomorrow. My friends were all supportive and it help distinguish the difference in the ones who cared and the ones who didn’t.
This is challenging because I am scared and afraid that there always a possibility of the cancer returning, but I have to remember that God has it all in control and I’m thankful for allowing me the years that he has.
To have faith, hope and just remember that nothing is impossible and NEVER give up because you can always be an inspiration to someone. Once I was ready to give up because I was frightened and scared but now ready to live and continue being the Army Strong Soldier I am today!
I am a Cancer Survivor, Army strong Soldier and single mother making a difference because it can happen to anyone.
Shanecia Terry! I appreciate your effort and salute to your courage. Thanks for sharing your own real inspiring story.
Hi shaneicia,
I love your faith, hope and strength!
I am currently going through some medical issues that my doctor’s don’t want to address and want to keep medicating me in attempt to mask my symptoms and pain. I have been sick for 2 years on and off and now I’m officially having a hard time getting out of bed (at 25 years old) constantly exhausted, extreme fatigue, dizziness, vomiting on and off, nauseous, lack of appetite and horrible pains whenever I eat.. It just makes my abdominal pains and cramps that much more severe and black/maroon in my stools. My GI doctor says it sounds like my pancreas and prescribed me some meds. He did do the colonoscopy & gastroscopy but “all” he found was a swollen stomach, small intestine and hemmrhoids. I seen a surgeon for the hemmrhoids and he said very few symptoms are from the hemmrhoids and sounds like my pancreas. I’ve also had bright red blood at bottom of toilt along with fainting here and there. I hope I have the courage to get some answers before it’s too late. I can feel it, something isn’t right and I’m trying to keep on these doctor’s! Thank you for taking the time to read this. Sincerely, Bianca.
Best of luck Bianca! That sounds all too familiar – may God bless you!
Shanecia, good luck to you. I have had the identical operation here in the UK. I, too, had severe anaemia, which was my only symptom. The doctor said I must be losing blood from somewhere. A CT scan and colonoscopy confirmed stage 3 colon cancer. I had a right hemi colectomy, removing the ascending part of the large bowel and the tumour. The small bowel is reconnected further along which shortens the circuit. The operation was done laparoscopically (keyhole) and I was pretty much back to normal after three weeks, although a bit weak.
I will meet the surgeon in a week or two to determine whether I need any follow-up treatment. So far, I just think the skill of the surgical team has been amazing and the follow-up care has been brilliant. Thank goodness for our British National Health Service. Nobody asked for my credit card!
Hi john moore!!! How are you doing these days, 4 years after your surgery…
I am dominga and i have the same case as yours. i was diagnosed with stage 2 colon cancer and i just had the surgery 2 weeks ago. I’m really afraid of i can make it or not since my kids still need me( 12 and 8 years old)..
I hope to hear good tips from you on how you did deal with the situation….goodluck and keep safe..
hi, dominga I’m in the same situation diagnosed stage 2 colon last year had operation in August and I’m currently having adjuvant chemotherapy which was my choice, I wake up every morning worrying about recurrence it’s torture! I have two boys 8 and 11 and it tears me apart thinking the worst might happen.
Best of luck and health to you, Gary, as you go thru this. Never, never give up hope! Well wishes for quick healing and a long healthy life.
Bonne