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As many of you know, March was Colorectal Cancer awareness month. For long-term survivors or patients like me it is a blessing and extremely hard at the same time. Don’t get me wrong. I loved seeing all the blue love out there. I also loved seeing people spreading the word about screening,…

By Leighann Sturgin After several tests and biopsies over the last four weeks, I’ve unfortunately been diagnosed with stage 3 rectal cancer. For those who understand these things it’s T3N2. After having my colon removed in 2004, I only had about 8” of rectum left. I should’ve had what my…

  An important question to ask regarding clinical trials is when is it appropriate to look for clinical trials? The short answer is immediately, and I will tell you why. Less than 3% of people with cancer participate in clinical. Not only is this a result of misconceptions but also…

  I had dreams of posting a blog about my colonoscopy earlier this week and sharing that I was polyp-free and the coast was clear in my colon. Although I didn’t leave the clinic like I have in previous years, worried and concerned cancer was growing in my body, I didn’t leave like I’d…

  Today I want to talk about the mechanisms of action of various treatments for colorectal cancer.  There are three different categories of systemic or drug treatment. Chemotherapy This treatment uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by…

  One of the most intimidating parts of a cancer diagnosis is beginning chemotherapy. Patients wonder what to expect and what they need to have to make treatment easier. It is important to understand all patients should communicate clearly and openly about their side effects with their…

One thing I think all cancer patients can agree on is that caretakers are the unsung heroes of a cancer diagnosis. You may be a spouse, family, or friends, but you all have something in common. Selflessness. You put us first and take on all the tasks we may be too sick to do ourselves. You feed…

  I think every cancer patient asks why at some point? I know I did. Why did I get sick? Why did I get colorectal cancer under 50? Why me? I quickly realized there are no answers to those questions and stopped asking. But why has been creeping back into my mind a lot recently. This time…

Embrace: to accept As a pediatric palliative care nurse practitioner, I journey with patients and their families through the toughest of diagnoses, including disease-related pain and symptoms. I sit with them as they receive good and bad news, including conversations leading up to the last…