March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month

Today is the first day of Colon Cancer Awareness month.  Last year I shared with you (pasted below for your convenience):

March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month. So it's time for you to get your colon checked. No, your dog's nose doesn't count. It's so important that you get screened. A colonoscopy can find cancer when it's still itty bitty and is easily removed. A colonoscopy can find a small polyp that could turn into cancer before it is cancer and that polyp can be removed right then without major surgery. And, if you do this few moments of discomfort, you can save yourself all the pain you have watched me go through.

I have no family history of any type of cancer yet I was diagnosed with Stage IIIC colon cancer or more specifically T3N2M0 (for more information on diagnosing and staging) at age 38. The average person doesn't get their first colonoscopy until they are 50 but I know that I am not alone in having it this young. I don't care what age you are, if you are having any bowel problems I suggest a colonoscopy. If you have a family history of cancer you should also be checked earlier.

I had every test imaginable and cancer was never found. Even my blood did not show a higher CEA level to indicate cancer. Only the colonoscopy found it. The only foolproof test for colon cancer is the colonoscopy. The colonoscopy is vital and you must make yourself do it. Don't assume your cancer would show up on a CT scan as I did. Don't assume that all the other tests would be good enough. Don't chicken out, for fear or embarrassment, like I did. If I had went for the first one I had scheduled maybe I wouldn't be in the boat I am now.

Call today to schedule your colonoscopy. If you are over 50 and your doctor neglected to schedule one then you request it. Today, right now, don't put it off. This is your life and it's too important to lose when you can prevent it so easily. I'll even come hold your hand. I don't want to share my boat with you, you belong on the shore.

Now that you have scheduled your colonoscopy, you have, right?  Here are a few opportunities for you to help someone with cancer (any kind).

• Chemo Angels - While I was going through chemotherapy I had two wonderful angels.  Receiving their cards and packages helped make each week a little brighter.  If you aren't in a position to make that commitment right now then pass this information on to your friends, co-workers, anyone.  I bet if you tell ten people you will run across at least one person who wants to help out or knows of a chemo patient who would enjoy having an angel.  I currently am a Card Angel and I really enjoy picking out cards for my buddy and thinking about them through the week. 
• The Lydia Project - Geared towards women with cancer.  Not only can you request prayer and/or support but you can request a tote be sent to a woman going through cancer.   There's an area where you can volunteer, or make a donation, there's an ongoing list of needs, like small handcream, stamps, notecards, ink pens, etc.  Even if you can't afford to make a donation you could send just one pack of pens or cards. . .
• Angel on My Shoulder - Out of the three I have mentioned today, this one is the one that I am most familiar with.  Lolly is truly and angel and has many, many supporting angels.  Truth of it is that this organization is 100% volunteers.  Not one person draws a salary for the work they do helping cancer patients and survivors and their families.  That says a lot to me and has made me (and Dennis) want to help out as much as we can.  They sponsor a weekend Caregiver's Retreat, aimed at the person taking care of the person with cancer, this was the first contact we had with the group.  Dennis was allowed to bring a guest (me) and I got to relax in the hotel while he went to meetings with other caregivers.   I think it was very good for him to be a part of a group like that, even if only for the weekend.  They have two weekend camps (Camp Angel & Camp Teen Angel) for the children experiencing cancer through a loved one.  They are bused to a camp in the northwoods and enjoy lots of fun activities (boating, snowshoeing . . .), Haden had a really good time when he went.  Healing Angels is aimed at the cancer survivor and I was treated to a spa session and pampering and a guest speaker, Jodi Pliszka (American Inventor).  Now you want to hear the amazing thing?  All of these retreats and camps are at zero cost to the participant.  All it cost us was the gas to get there.  And when you're being inundated with medical bills how nice is that to be able to have a weekend away and be cared for.  Dennis and I recently made a commitment to Lolly to do much of their photography this year and we are really looking forward to giving back.  I can't seem to find the link to point you to the area stating where/what they need help with but I seem to recall reading that they need someone to help with their website and I'm really hoping someone will be able to help them. 

Feel free to share in the comments any organization that you're familiar with and don't forget to call about your colonoscopy.  The long awaited pictures will be up tomorrow.  Have you ever seen an Outhouse Race?

tags: march  colon cancer awareness  angel on my shoulder  chemo angel  lydia project  volunteer  cancer  support