CEA Colon Cancer Tumour marker, Home kit – £79

Colon Cancer Shared Story

“I was shocked! My first thought was, why me?”

A couple of years ago, Desmond James was living a challenging but encouraging life as both a Janitor at an elementary school and caregiver to his grandmother and father (Desmond’s grandmother had been diagnosed with dementia while his father had survived a stroke). Desmond went to countless doctor appointments and always loved coming home from them to cook for his family. Desmond enjoyed hanging out with his dad and walking with his grandmother in his free time.

This was until Desmond started experiencing abdominal pains for a few months before going to the doctor for a routine check-up. After describing his symptoms of abdominal pains, recent constipation and feeling tired to his doctor, a colonoscopy was ordered. At his next doctor visit, in October of 2021, Desmond received his diagnosis of stage III colon cancer at the age of 39,

“I was shocked! My first thought was, why me? I am an avid walker and gym goer, and ride my bike”. Desmond immediately started treatment: five rounds of radiation and seven cycles of chemotherapy. This transition from caregiver to patient was a learning experience for Desmond. During this time, Desmond managed to take care of both his grandmother and father while also battling cancer himself.

Getting through treatment was tough for Desmond, but he got through it by focusing on his family, his healing and his religion, “I had so much support from my dad, my brothers, friends, cousins, uncles, and my aunts. One aunt in particular, she always had encouraging words and made it to all my treatments, all except one”. On top of the love and support Desmond was so thankful to have, he turned to song to get through his tough times. In particular, whether it was a day of treatment or rest, Desmond would be found singing “I am Healed“ by Donald Lawerence.

In March of 2022, he received news from his doctor that his tumour was no longer there. Today, he celebrates over a year of being cancer-free. Desmond is sharing his story with us today to help bring more colon cancer awareness and hopefully motivate those who are on the fence about visiting the doctor to do so, “My advice to others is to not wait on going to the doctor to get a check-up. The longer you wait, the more fear can affect your health. Once fear sits in, you begin worrying, bringing stress and other ailments. Go get a screen before it’s too late“.

Since being cancer-free, Desmond has been enjoying life in his hometown of Reserve, where he is a baker and is also in school to become a nutritionist. Desmond exercises daily, goes to the gym, and takes long walks. One part about Desmond that will never change, whether he is facing his hardships or not, is his devotion to taking care of his loved ones, “There is a saying ‘Give people their flowers while they can smell them‘. I did exactly that with my late grandmother, Ida M. Stanton, who recently passed away in April 2023″.

Desmond continues to care for his father while living his life with peace and working on becoming an advocate for colon cancer. Laurie Kosher’s cancer diagnosis was a total shock. At 44, she was the picture of health, a lifelong vegetarian who often went for multi-mile runs. She never called in sick to work unless one of her three kids was sick. She figured that her occasional bloating, weight loss, and irregular bowel movements were just part of the regular ageing process or gluten sensitivity. Laurie’s doctors did not catch on that these symptoms were early warning signs of a serious problem.

Laurie was experiencing severe abdominal pain that was diagnosed as IBS. Laurie tried to manage her stress and started taking laxatives. A few weeks later, a primary care doctor prescribed her antibiotics, thinking that the symptoms may have been coming from a stomach bug. Over the next few months, the pain and GI problems worsened. Six months after Laurie finished a three-month round of chemo, doctors found masses in her pelvis and lungs. Laurie’s cancer had turned aggressive, and she was soon diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer. Laurie’s ovaries and fallopian tubes were removed.

She underwent six more months of chemo and radiation on her lungs. One doctor said that it looked like someone took a salt shaker and sprinkled cancer all through her abdominal cavity. Once her diagnosis progressed to stage IV, it became clear that Laurie was never going to be rid of her cancer. Laurie used to work as a physical therapy assistant, but now “cancer is a full-time job.” Laurie has three kids, the eldest of whom is about to be 23.

Laurie is grateful to have seen him graduate college and get his first real job. She worries that he feels pressure to keep it all together for his sisters. Her two daughters live in Asheville with Laurie and her husband, Glen. It’s been important to both of them to be very honest with the kids about Laurie’s health. After Laurie left her job, the whole family took a summer vacation to Alaska. Laurie and Glen could also take a honeymoon vacation that they never had after they got married. Glen’s employer has been flexible and supportive, which has allowed him to be present with Laurie through it all.

Glen lost his mother to lung cancer just ten months before Laurie was diagnosed. Laurie is now part of a two-drug clinical trial at Duke University. Laurie said that while the drugs are not expected to eradicate her cancer, they’re doing their job of “keeping the beast at bay.” Laurie’s extended family participates in the annual Get Your Rear in Gear – Asheville fundraiser.

As Laurie and I spoke on the phone for this story, her cell service was cutting in and out. She was calling from her hotel near Duke, where she travels every other week for treatment. Towards the end of our conversation, she paused through sniffles. She laughed: “My mom is sitting beside me, passing me tissues while we talk.” Laurie advises others dealing with cancer not to feel pressure and always to display positivity. “It’s okay to be wherever you are.” Sometimes, you need someone to sit next to you and pass tissues while you cry, and that’s enough.