Charlotte's Story - Cancer was not in this Mom's Plans

On September 14, 2011, at the age of 35, I  was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer. At the time of my diagnosis, my son Jack had just turned 4, my daughter Eleanor was 10 months old and my husband Rick and I had recently celebrated our six-year wedding anniversary. The surgery to remove the tumor that penetrated my colon wall occurred on October 7, 2011 and chemotherapy began right after Thanksgiving. It took a little over seven months to complete my 12 rounds of chemo. I completed the last round on July 17, 2012. All these dates will forever be a part of me and as memorable as the dates of my children's births and my wedding anniversary. 

But I have children.

From the moment I was told the results of my colonoscopy on September 14th, my thoughts went immediately to my children. In fact, when my GI doctor told me what he saw in my colon my response was, "But I have children."

My friends, neighbors and co-workers many times remarked  how hard it must be to have two small children to take care of while going through chemo. Honestly, I don't think I could have done it without them. They made me laugh, they distracted me, they kept me on track with the normal every-day happenings of life. They loved me and I fiercely loved them back. What more did I need, really?

In fact, without the birth of Eleanor, I may have ignored my symptoms. Eleanor was a big baby (almost 9 lbs). I attributed her  size and position as the cause of the blood in my stool.  After Eleanor's birth, the blood didn't go away. I attributed it to post-pregnancy issues.

I didn't have any pain.

When the symptoms didn't go away but started to get worse, I went to see my GI doctor. In April of 2011, I was  examined and it turned out I had hemorrhoids. I remember thinking that made sense because so many women have hemorrhoids post-pregnancy. But I thought it strange that I didn't have any pain. It was the absence of pain that kept me from seeking medical help. 

I didn't call my GI doctor.

When the hemorrhoid medicine didn't treat my symptoms, I didn't call my GI doctor to tell him because I figured that this was just normal for my body. I otherwise felt great and happily went along for a few more months until the GI symptoms became stranger and more worrisome - and yet I still had no pain.

In September of 2011, I finally went back to my GI doctor who immediately ordered a colonoscopy. My doctor said as soon as he inserted the scope, the tumor was right there - in the sigmoid colon. The sigmoid colon links the descending colon with the rectum. Since the tumor had penetrated the colon wall and positive lymph nodes were removed during surgery, chemo was inevitable and in my opinion, welcome. I wanted my body rid of all traces of cancer.

Cancer Free!

I am now a year and a half cancer free and feel like I am in the best shape of my life! Having been diagnosed with the deadly disease opened my eyes to the very real fact that I only get one chance to live. I only get this one body for this one life and I should take care of it the best way possible.

As soon as I regained my strength after finishing chemo, I went back to the gym. I proudly walked with my family in the Susan Cohan 8th Annual 5k Run and Family Walk in September of 2012. Currently I am in a running group with other survivors called Cancer to 5K with the Ulman Cancer Fund which will end with my running a 5k in June. I am also training for an Olympic Triathlon to be held in October of 2013. These are things I never would have dreamed of doing, but now I just can't wait to see what my body is capable of!

An Important Message from Our Founder

Please take a few minutes to read the following letter from David Rodman Cohan, Foundation President. We hope you will be inspired by how a young woman named Heather was able to save her own life after hearing about Susie’s Cause.

Dear Friend,

My gratitude to all those who make Susie’s Cause possible grows and grows with each New Year. Thank you for being a friend to Susie’s Cause and for helping us remove the silence surrounding colon cancer. Thank you for spreading awareness about life-saving screening and prevention. Together we are making Susan’s hopes and dreams for this foundation a reality.

As you may know, my beloved daughter Susan was diagnosed with colon cancer the year she turned 40 and died two years later after a heroic battle. The Foundation was created and named in honor of Susan’s faith, her courage, and her adamant desire to prevent unnecessary deaths and suffering from colon cancer.

Recently, a young woman named Heather contacted me to explain how hearing about Susie’s Cause helped save her life.  At age 39, she experienced her first symptoms of colon cancer and as most of us would do, she self-diagnosed through the internet where she first read Susan’s Story.  She dismissed the possibility that colon cancer could be her ailment, but the life similarities between her and Susan stuck in her head; both around the same age, Heather was also the mother of two young children, she was from Florida, but now living in Maryland. Although she dismissed the symptoms and moved on, Susan’s life story continued to remain in her head.  A few months later, the symptoms resurfaced and she discussed it with her Internist who also dismissed her symptoms.

However, on her 40th birthday, (same age as Susan was diagnosed), the symptoms returned and she decided to see a GI doctor. He suggested a colonoscopy, just to be sure, which led to the diagnosis of stage 2A colon cancer.  Today, she remains cancer free. 

Heather and daughters

In her letter, Heather said: “I wanted to share this with you, as you may not realize the ways in which your foundation is able to reach people and help save lives. Thank you, for continuing her cause and helping to prevent others from suffering.”

Thankfully, Heather is one of many that Susie’s Cause was able to reach.  The events and awareness programs that you support are bringing our goal of eradicating colon cancer as a life threatening illness that much closer.

Because of Susan’s enduring wish to help others, The Susan Cohan Colon Cancer Foundation exists today but it is only because of help from people like you that the Foundation is becoming the international leader in colon cancer prevention, support and treatment that she dreamed it would be.

Those facing colon cancer, their families and friends, and anyone searching for ways to more successfully treat this dreadful disease find networks of possibilities in our organization. Together our efforts to educate and support people of all ages will prevent unnecessary suffering and deaths from colon cancer.

What can I do to help Susie’s Cause reach more people in 2013?

Since its founding in 2004, Susie’s Cause has spread awareness about life-saving colon cancer screening and prevention. We want to share with you some of the great ways our supporters around the country gave their time, money, and creativity to support Susie’s Cause in 2012. It’s inspiring to see all the creative ideas people had to get out the word about how screenings and healthy lifestyle can prevent colon cancer.

Some of the events and activities that our supporters did in 2012 included:
Hosting Dinners and Galas, Ice Skating, Swim-a-thons, Volunteering, Sharing their Stories, Cooking Chili, Contributing Articles, Running and Walking in Races, Growing Mustaches and Beards, Lifting Weights, and Paddling Canoes.

Each of these events brought new friends to the cause and raised awareness about screening and prevention. Every time we can speak out about colon cancer prevention is a chance for someone like Heather to hear us and get diagnosed early, in time to save her life.

Were any of these ideas yours? Do you have other ideas for events? Share them with us on our blog and Facebook. You can read more about past and upcoming events on our website[link]. Is there something you would like to do to support Susie’s Cause in 2013?

Grassroots events are also great ways to honor and remember family members while bringing your community together.

COMMUNITY FUNDRAISERS AND AFFILIATES

Susie’s Cause has had many inquiries from compassionate followers across the nation seeking to establish an Affiliated Division of Susie’s Cause in their area.  In response to these inquiries, Susie’s Cause is now accepting applications by individuals who would like to form an Affiliated Division.  If accepted by Susie’s Cause, the applicant would be guided and assisted by the Susie’s Cause’s team to organize an event or events in the applicants’ area such as mentioned above. When these initial events are concluded, if both Susie’s Cause and the applicant mutually desire to establish an Affiliated Division in the geographical location of the applicant, then Susie’s Cause will officially designate the selected applicant as the Volunteer Executive Director in his or her geographical area.

For more information on how to plan a successful event or become a Susie’s Cause Affiliate please contact Foundation Director and Event Coordinator Kim Cohan at kim@coloncancerfoundation.org or call (410) 244-1778

Want to act now to help? Donations of all sizes help Susie's Cause grow their healthy lifestyle, awareness, and prevention programs and are welcome at any time so donate today [Donate today]

Visit our website for more ways to get involved today [Get Involved!]

Happy New Year,
David Rodman Cohan
Foundation President (Volunteer)
Susan Cohan Colon Cancer Foundation, Inc.

201 North Charles Street
Suite 2404
Baltimore, Maryland 21201

website

My Story - Heather Keogh

 

 



Posted by Barbara Armstrong Green

Welcome. Please take a moment to read this important letter from Heather about how Susie's Cause may have saved her life. The folks at Susie's Cause encourage you to check in with your doctor if you suspect there's something wrong.  And don't be afraid to get a second opinion even if you're not scheduled for colon cancer screening yet.

 

Dear David Cohan,

Back in February 2009 (I was 39 at the time), I had what turned out to be my first symptom of colon cancer. This caused me to do what most of us do today…self-diagnose through internet MD. That is when I first saw Susie’s Story. Of course, I dismissed that this could possibly be my ailment, but our life similarities stuck in my head - around the same age, also a mother of two young children. I was from Florida, but now living in Maryland.

 

At that time, I dismissed my symptom and moved on, but her life story was always in my head. A few months later, the symptom resurfaced and I actually discussed it with my internist. Unfortunately, she also dismissed it, figuring it was nothing to worry about.

 

Then, actually on my 40^th birthday, the symptom returned, and I decided to see a GI doctor. He suggested a colonoscopy, just to be sure, which led to my diagnosis in October 2009. I was lucky to be considered an early diagnosis, stage 2A, and so far I have remained cancer free.

 

I wanted to share this with you, as you may not realize the ways in which your foundation is able to reach people and help save lives. I would be happy to offer my assistance if you have any needs locally. Thank you, for continuing her cause and helping to prevent others from suffering.

Warm regards,
Heather

To learn about colon cancer symptoms, click on the Susie's Cause web site's About Colon Cancer tab.  Please leave a comment below. We welcome people to tell their stories.

 

 



 

With My Girls June 2012
 

With Hubby Above and Family Below





 



Medical Disclaimer

The information presented on the Susan Cohan Colon Cancer web site is solely intended to provide you with information that will help educate you on the importance of diet, exercise and regular cancer screening in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Adopting these habits is an individual choice and one that should only be made after consultation with your health care professional. No information provided on this Web site or otherwise offered is intended to replace or in any way modify the advice of your health care professional. 

My Story - Barbara Armstrong Green






Posted by Barbara Armstrong Green

Welcome to the National Colon Cancer Foundation’s Blog.  My name is Barbara Armstrong Green, blog manager.  I suspect that you are here for the same reason I am.  We have had a close encounter with colon cancer. My encounter came eight years ago, the summer of 2004.  My sister, Susan Armstrong Goglia, then 55, was enjoying a relaxing vacation at Ocean City with her husband Michael Goglia, who is my brother-in-law and the web master for this site. 

Coincidentally, my husband Charlie and I were entertaining friends at Bethany Beach at the same time.  It was a perfect weekend. We were so blessed. Then the phone rang.  And my vibrant sister Sue told me she was in terrible pain and had been to the hospital for some sort of blockage. 

The next time I saw Mike and Sue and our sister Peggy was several days later just before Sue was about to have surgery.  Family and friends gathered in the hospital waiting room to support us. After what seemed like an eternity, the surgeon walked over to us and broke the news that it was indeed colon cancer and that it had broken through the colon wall.  We just looked at the surgeon, trying to comprehend what he had just said and what it meant for Sue.  After a stunned silence, one of our family members quietly turned to the surgeon and said, “That doesn’t sound good.”

Sue was diagnosed with stage three colon cancer – stage three! – I didn’t even know what that meant.  I had never heard of stages of cancer.  I had just seen Sue a few weeks ago.  Her only complaint was a little lower back pain.  Who doesn’t have that on occasion?
My beloved sister Sue, an elementary teacher and principal, who touched the lives of countless children, died at the age of 59, after a four-year battle with colon cancer. She left a husband, daughter, son, five grandchildren, two sisters, and too many other devoted family members and friends to list here.  What makes this even more tragic is that colon cancer is one of the most preventable cancers.

We hope that you will use this blog to share your stories and comments with one another and learn together. Also check out our web pages, which have a lot of information you might find helpful.

Our family loves to get together.

Three Sisters (from left) Barbara, Peggy & Susan

Family beach day at Bethany Beach

Team Furtub participants at the Annual 5K Run and Family Walk in Towson, MD

Please leave a comment.  We welcome people to tell their stories. Don’t forget to click back to the Susie’s Cause web site for more information on colon cancer.

Medical Disclaimer The information presented on the Susan Cohan Colon Cancer web site is solely intended to provide you with information that will help educate you on the importance of diet, exercise and regular cancer screening in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Adopting these habits is an individual choice and one that should only be made after consultation with your health care professional. No information provided on this Web site or otherwise is intended to replace or in any way modify the advice of your health care professional.