I’ve hesitated going public with my most recent health updates. It was the topic of several therapy sessions leading up to my surgery in April. “I’m an advocate. I wrote a book about my health! How can I not share what’s going on!” For a few reasons, I needed to keep my health private at…
Read MoreThe other day, my neighbor gave me a stack of magazines. She thought I’d enjoy the articles too. Little did she know, she handed me a magazine I’ve considered subscribing to all year. I’ve held off because of limited time, and I’ve not wanted to pay for something I wouldn’t use. But, deep down, I…
Read MoreToday’s my 22-year cancerversary, which means it’s the anniversary of when I was first told, “You Have Cancer.” I was a junior in high school. I’d had a colonoscopy a few days prior, and we were waiting on test results. I knew my GI had found a mass, but I didn’t know more than that.…
Read MoreIt’s been more than 20 years since I was diagnosed with colon cancer. In some ways, it still seems like yesterday. In other ways, it seems like a lifetime ago. But I’m living proof that yes, you can live a long life after cancer. We’re all different: your cancer is different from mine. Even if…
Read MoreI just finished editing the last Global Grit of 2022 for FCA’s team. This month’s column was a reflective piece about if you’re sad or glad to see the end of the year, and what story you want to tell next year. I’ve edited this monthly column for several years now, and this one really…
Read More“It was worth it – if I went through cancer so I could sit here today and encourage you in your faith – then I’d do it again.” I couldn’t believe it. The very words I swore I’d never utter were flowing out of my mouth. Sitting across from a hurting friend whose pain I…
Read MoreI wasn’t mad at God… at first. I was just distracted by the pain. I could have sworn a gang of bandana-wearing bullies had taken me to a back alley and drop-kicked me in the gut. A fresh incision down my abdomen brought searing pain. I could barely roll over in the uncomfortable hospital bed.…
Read MoreI’ll never forget the day I was walking down the spice aisle in my local grocery store and noticed a jar of mustard seeds sitting on the shelf. I looked around to see if anyone else noticed, and I just stood there in amazement. “Woah,” I thought. “If one of these grains of mustard seeds…
Read MoreI spent last weekend at “Colon Camp,” an annual event by The Colon Club. When I first attended it 14 years ago, we didn’t formally call it that. I think it was referred to as the “Colondar Photo Shoot.” But things have changed around The Colon Club over the years (like the Colondar calendar is…
Read MoreIt’s been nagging at me all week: I should write on my blog. Today when I realized that May 1 kicks off both Foster Care Month and Mental Health Month, I couldn’t ignore the tug any longer. It’s been awhile since I put my fingers to the keys to share a life update. I could…
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