5 years ago, on October 7th, I was diagnosed with colon cancer. Within a week of the diagnosis, I was in the hospital having part of my colon cut out. About a month after that, I started chemo. It was quite the ordeal for me and my family. This month, however, marked a big milestone in my cancer journey. I hit the 5-year mark.
At the 5-year mark, quite a few oncologists consider patients “effectively cured.” I had my last oncologist appointment, and now it’s just yearly checkups with my regular doctor. Yes, I’ll still have to do colonoscopies every 5 years or so, but that sure beats one, or two, a year.
The 5-year mark is a big deal, but I honestly haven’t worried much about it for the past few years. Year 3 was when it felt like I was in the clear, as most recurrences happen by then. The odds were low at that point, and they continue to go down. They will never be 0, but they’re at a point that we really don’t have to worry.
If you’re reading this, have you been to the doctor lately? Have you gotten a colonoscopy? Don’t tell me you’re healthy, or that you don’t have a family history, or that you’re too young, or that you don’t have time. I fit in all those categories too. Get checked out. It’s important. If you have anything, the sooner they catch it, the better. And if you don’t have anything, that’s a huge relief for those that care about you.