Written By: Kacie Kruger, for her mother.
A few weeks before Christmas, my mother was experiencing bowel issues, and her shirts were becoming abnormally tighter. That being said, over time my father eventually took her to the emergency room. Soon after my mom underwent scans, and came to find out she had a 12 inch tumor, she was emitted for surgery the following few days. Since my mom is anemic and her blood level was extremely low she had to have eight blood transfusions within five days to be able to have the surgery.
A week later, the doctor removed her tumor along with her ovaries and fallopian tubes. She was “diagnosed” with stage III ovarian cancer. However, a week after the surgery, test results came back odd. The tumor was in her uterus, but because of symptoms and results, the doctor ordered a colonoscopy. The colonoscopy showed that my mom had Stage IV colon cancer, which we found out on Christmas Eve. The first week of January my mom began chemo and a 72-hour pump at home every two weeks. Through hope, faith, and love from family, friends, and others, my mom toughed through chemo. By the end of February, my mom had to stop chemo and prepare for a 12-hour surgery for the upcoming month of March. On March 24th, my mom had a bowel resection, cito reduction and peritoneal sheeting that covered the inside of her abdomen and later removed. She also had her insides flushed with heated chemo.
When we first found out about the diagnosis, I was in complete shock. I had no idea how to react, think, or handle my emotions. My first instinct was to hold my mom. Currently, I am a full time student in the Education program at Towson University, and a competitive gymnastics coach. Therefore, my life is pretty busy. My dad and brother were in shock too.
My parents, especially my mom, have raised my brother and I with amazing mannerism and drive. My mother has always held her chin up high and fought through tough times. She has taught me to be strong. As I sat through her chemo treatments for hours, I observed how none of it affected her one bit. This made me get through my silly dental appointments. I honor my mom for being herself. She reaches out to others who are also battling colon cancer. Whenever she sits through their chemo treatments with them, she gives them small, meaningful gifts. These gifts offer joy, happiness, encouragement, and uplifting quotes. This being said, my mom is my best friend, and she is also the best mom a daughter could ask for. I am very thankful.
The phrase “Get Your Rear In Gear” is powerful! The statement has driven me to increase awareness about Colon Cancer to my surrounding communities. I have been a huge advocate because of this phrase. This phrase supports everybody in the world!
I was diagnosed with Colon Cancer this past August and I am trying to stay strong and positive for my girls. Some days I do very well then other times I get down. I started treatments this past September and I don’t do bad with them as long as I take the nausea medication. Some days I get down because I just want a normal life again. I have a huge support group from family and friends but some days it is still tuff. I tried not to let my family know when I am having a tuff day. When first diagnosed I got on the internet which was not good because there is a lot of information that stage IV cancer patient don’t want to read. Thank you for your story it helps to here survivor stories.