I originally was diagnosed with colon cancer 2C in 2019 for which I went into emergency surgery after a colonoscopy, followed by 8 months of chemotherapy. My oncologist in Wisconsin only did one scan and although I complained things didn’t feel right, he always said my counts looked good. 9 months later when I finally was convinced it wasn’t me just feeling something was wrong but I had a horrible feeling my cancer was back. I was diagnosed with stage IV Colon cancer non-curable. I felt like I had been given a death sentence. After a couple months of chemotherapy but a different kind, they referred me to Mayo as it was my only possible hope of remission. Dr Jin was/is my oncologist and made the treatment there possible. He recommended not finishing my last two rounds of chemotherapy because of the neuropathy and numbness in hands and feet. I had 4 weeks of radiation followed by a month of rest. July 26, 2021 I had a four hour surgery on lower back to take out part of S2 where cancer had spread. Two days later I had a 12 hour surgery in the colon and organs nearby that had been affected. I ended up with an iliostomy. I spent two weeks in the hospital but had the best nurses and doctors to help me through some of the toughest times. I went home with a catheter and iliostomy. After a month the catheter was removed and they thought I would be self-cath for the rest of my life. I am not but I don’t have the sensation of when I have to urinate. Thankful for good ol’ Depends but very humbling to wear them at my age. The iliostomy was reversed after 3 months and the following months were challenging with bowels trying to get back to normal. The following months I had PT that came to the home to help get some strength back for walking as well as using my fingers and helping with neuropathy and to get some of my numbess to go away. I have had numerous massages and acupuncture which seem to help the most with waking up my nerves. I am 3 years and 4 months in remission. Although I wish my walk was normal and my bladder and the numbness, I am glad to be alive. I am glad I kept pushing forward and positive.