In 2022, at the age of 50, I was diagnosed with early stage rectal cancer in a screening colonoscopy. The cancer returned a few months later at stage 3a, leading to major surgery and six months of chemotherapy. COLONTOWN helped me through the fear and uncertainty after diagnosis and this amazing community guided me through all that was to come.
Ironically, prior to my cancer diagnosis, I spent about 10 years as a second career oncology nurse. I worked for a major cancer center in the Southeastern United States in positions including inpatient care, outpatient infusions, oncology nurse navigation, and hospice. But I didn’t know what I didn’t know — being a patient changed my perspective on everything.
In late 2023 I attended a COLONTOWN Empowered Patient Leadership program and knew I wanted to find a way to help. Working on the Content Development Team is the perfect marriage of my experiences on BOTH sides of the chemotherapy pump!
When I’m not working on COLONTOWN projects, you’ll likely find me on a hiking trail in the north Georgia mountains; camping or hanging out with my husband and our two mutts; knitting; or with my nose in a book.