On March 10th of 2015 my life would dramatically change and I would embark on a journey that has become both a blessing and a curse. I was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer.
We moved to Byron Center when my youngest daughter Reese was entering Kindergarten at Brown. It was a leap of faith on our part because we only knew a few people in the community. My nieces had grown up here and had such great experiences so we decided to take the leap. Little did we know at the time just how impactful this community would be.
I had been struggling with an upset stomach for nearly three months. My primary care physician was certain it was my gall bladder so after several normal tests it was concluded that was not the culprit. I had also been having some blood in my stool for several years, a scope would confirm I had internal hemorrhoids which are very common for us women over 40. After months of hearing I was fine, I determined it was likely the stress of being a mom of two very active girls and working full time. Acknowledging this would likely make me feel better.
It was decided I should probably have a colonoscopy because things were only getting worse. I dropped off my youngest daughter Logan at school with her birthday treat in tow. Her 9th birthday would be a life changing day for me. I awoke from the colonoscopy to anyone’s worst nightmare.
“Angie, you have colon cancer” I can still see the face of my Gastroenterologist, the words coming out of his mouth in slow motion. Those are words that can never be taken back. Lifechanging. Aboard the roller coaster we would go. After a whirlwind of tests, scans, appointments it was concluded by the week’s end that I was stage IV because the cancer had metastized to my liver. I had to tell my girls which may just have been worse than hearing the news. The only questions they had for me was would I lose my hair and did I still have to work. That is how children process such awful news, oh to be a child again.
A liver resection would be the most major surgery I would undergo. They are literally opening me up for nearly 10 hours and going to resect about 55% of my liver. It will be painful, recovery would be long and I will be limited on partaking in certain adult beverages the rest of my life. But, it was the answer to saving my life.
The day before the surgery I enjoyed time with my family and close friends but all the while having a knot in my stomach that just wouldn’t go away. A knock on the door that evening would reveal a community of people ready to surround me in prayer. I am not just talking a few people. I am talking an entire neighborhood, friends and family ready to take on my burden through the power of prayer.
This enormous act of kindness was one of the most powerful experiences in my life. Not just a neighborhood of giving and caring people that would give me a tremendous peace but the entire community of Byron Center, some of whom I had never even met, dropped off meals, sent cards and blessed me with their prayers.
Today the battle continues. I am 2 ½ years into this journey and don’t take one single day for granted. In addition to this surgery, I have had my colon and a portion of my lung removed. Steroids, chemo therapy, scans…all this to say that as of this past June I was considered cancer free.
Taking that leap of faith and moving to BC was one of the most critical decisions we have ever made. Literally lifesaving! The Bite Cancer Foundation is not just a fun football game, bright T-Shirts and cancer awareness, it is a critical component to supporting the cancer warriors, survivors and their families in this amazing community. Thank you, Byron Center, for being such an integral part of my fight! BITE ER!
