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My story is about Unity.
To me, live strong means to turn cancer into a strength. Cancer has redefined my character and my life. It's my turn to redefine what cancer means to others by sharing hope and knowledge.
I've worn the yellow wristband because it reminds me that cancer adds to me, rather than takes away. I've added my wristband to my wardrobe and it makes me greater than what I was before.
I really have two diagnosis dates: one in 2002 and one in 2004. Just like Lance said in one of his press conferences, it's not so much about the primary cancer as it is about the metastases. I found out I had colon cancer in 2002 due to a random test required by my life insurance. Stage 4. I did the surgery, chemo and radiation and was cancer free for all of about six months. Then, at the beginning of 2004, I learned that it had spread to my lungs and liver. I was told to go home and put my life in order.
Being a reporter by trade means that I don't usually accept what people dictate to me at face value. Why should I go home and die? Instead, I plunged into learning everything about the disease. I was ruthless about finding new treatments and new alternatives. But mostly, I focused on meeting others in my situation to see what they could share with me. After all, why reinvent the wheel? It's the connection to other patients, survivors, their families and their physicians that has saved me. Because of my connections between the cancer world and the media world, I can help people locate the information that they need. I have actually thrived in my cancer, and I'm sure it's because of the amazing people I have had the privilege of sharing experiences with. Yes, cancer has forever altered my life, but it has made it sweeter.
Sometimes I picture cancer as a whirlwind ride in a peverse imaginary theme park. If you get on, you have to ride it all the way through. But I will make it, thanks to the wonderful people that share the ride with me.
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