Omaha Colon Cancer Survivor’s Story & Words of Wisdom
Jolinda L. in hospital receiving treatment for colon cancer
In September of 2013, at 51 years old, I (Jolinda L.) was diagnosed with stage 3b colon cancer. Going into the test, I already knew that something was wrong - I had symptoms for almost six months, but I originally brushed it off as menopause. It wasn’t until I saw blood in my stool that I had to start coming to terms that there was something abnormal going on with my body.
I tried ignoring the signs for so long because I had recently made a career change that left me uninsured - which is why I skipped my first routine colonoscopy at 50. I thought, “I’m healthy, I eat well and exercise regularly, and I don’t have a family history of colon cancer - these tests can wait until I have insurance in January (2014).” But I was wrong.
Around July of 2013, I couldn’t ignore the symptoms any longer. I went to One World and told them about my situation. Even without insurance, I was immediately taken into the care of their team, who coordinated all of my procedures and soon became my personal team of superheroes. They matched me with a doctor who would do the procedure as part of the Every Woman Matters program: Dr. Evans at Midwest GI.
When I woke up from the tests, Dr. Evans told me what they had found, what they were waiting to see in my MRI, and what my next steps were to begin treatment as soon as we knew what I was facing. Even though I was being supported by my care team, the next three days felt like a blur — I was in shell shock. I’m a single mother of three boys, and I just felt a panic about what my future held. Would I survive this? What lasting effects would this have on my life? I couldn’t bring myself to put this weight on my loved ones while I was still feeling this way. Feeling overwhelmed and scared, I decided to get some Starbucks.
And it was there that a chance encounter with my good friend and neighbor changed the way I saw myself in this situation. He saw me and approached me in line, asking, “How are you?” and then I just blurted out, “I have colon cancer.” Without missing a beat, he responded, “Are you kidding me? That’s the most preventable cancer out there! How did this happen?” And like a bolt of lightning, this conversation - which included him chewing me out for pushing off my preventative care - was what shook me back into the real world.
I was not about to let myself have a pity party when I already had all the support I needed to get through cancer! I had an incredible team managing my care, even without insurance, which was already proving to be the highest quality that a patient could ask for. I had far more to be grateful for than to be scared of. Within days of this encounter, things started coming together and I was able to tell my family and friends.
I’m now 58 years old and the healthiest I have ever been in my life. I do CrossFit, long-distance biking, and maintain an active daily life with my friends and family. I am grateful for every day that I’m here.
My words of wisdom about getting through colon cancer are these:
Do not wait to get screened. Colon cancer can happen to anyone. The recommended age to begin regular screening is 50, but if you can, start at 45. While my life is still full and beautiful, if I had caught my cancer earlier then I may have more of my large intestine left, which I now have to plan every aspect of my life around. A colonoscopy is so much more pleasant than the alternative outcomes of waiting too long.
Trust your doctors. They have tried and true systems to fight colon cancer, and your vanity is not more important than your life. I had to have an ileostomy bag for a year - and I consider myself lucky. Some patients have pushed back on their doctors’ orders for treatment, and ended up with permanent situations like the bag or worse.
Do not expect cancer to look a certain way. Our mainstream conceptions of cancer treatment, like losing your hair or the puffy face from chemo, is not what happened to me with my colon cancer. Radiation and chemo wiped me out physically even if I didn’t “look” like I had cancer - not to mention how hard it was to see my loved ones be so scared for me - and so always be kind and be aware of the many different faces of cancer.
Be fearless. It was terrifying going through cancer as a patient, but the professionalism, kindness, and acts of bravery by my nurses and doctors made me feel like there was a bigger purpose. And there is! Don’t be afraid to take charge of your own life by practicing a healthy lifestyle, getting tested early and often, and seeking the best treatment out there. You are always capable of fighting back!
*From Jolinda: Special thanks to Rosemary R. and Katie S. with One World, Dr. Evans with Midwest GI, and the amazing care teams at Hope Medical and Methodist Hospital.