Advice for the inoperable facing a lifetime of treatment.
BY Sarah DeBord
PUBLISHED October 25, 2018
Sarah DeBord was diagnosed with metastatic colon cancer at age 34. In the years since, she has turned her diagnosis into a calling, and become an advocate for other young adults diagnosed with colorectal cancer and parents with young families facing cancer. She works as a communications and program manager for the Minneapolis-based Colon Cancer Coalition , volunteers her time with the online patient-led support community COLONTOWN , and blogs about her often adventurous experiences of living with chronic cancer at ColonCancerChick.com.
For many of us with inoperable cancer, we have no choice but to continue doing treatment indefinitely. Some of us will never get to ring the bell. And though it can be satisfying to watch others reach that milestone, it can't help but be bittersweet for those of us knowing we will never get our moment. When a life of treatment is your only option, it can initially seem daunting. How can you wrap your head around the idea of doing indefinite infusions when you don't even think you can make it through your next round?
Doing chemo for life takes an inordinate amount of mental tenacity and emotional strength.
The summer before I was diagnosed with colon cancer, I participated in a mud run. As someone who ran much longer distances on a regular basis, I assumed I was well prepared for the short three miles of obstacles. Despite the sweltering July heat and the soon-to-be discovered tumor growing inside of me, I hit the trail confident – if not cocky – in my ability to complete this challenge with ease.
The summer before I was diagnosed with colon cancer, I participated in a mud run. As someone who ran much longer distances on a regular basis, I assumed I was well prepared for the short three miles of obstacles. Despite the sweltering July heat and the soon-to-be discovered tumor growing inside of me, I hit the trail confident – if not cocky – in my ability to complete this challenge with ease.
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