Teenage colon cancer survivor spreading a message of hope
Teenage colon cancer survivor spreading a message of hope
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Eighth grade. That’s when I first noticed my rectal bleeding. I was at my friend’s house watching Titanic, prank calling boys and trying to make my stomach look smaller in the mirror.
I needed to go “number two,” which was mortifying enough. I felt even more embarrassed when I saw blood. I said nothing of the occurrence ― clueless at first that it indicated something serious.
Three years later I was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer at age 17.
I learned quickly that in order to survive, I’d need to get over my embarrassment of my body, particularly my bathroom habits.
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I’d like to say I mastered the anxiety quickly. But honestly? I’m still working on it 15 years later. Being a colorectal cancer survivor is a very empowering thing ― but it has its bad days too.
Seeing a cause like colon cancer highlighted on a national television show like the Real Housewives of Orange County (RHOC) helps me out, though.
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How it impacted me
Bravo featuring Meghan and Heather on Capitol Hill in season 11 of RHOC feels pretty amazing.
Not only does it bring much-needed awareness to the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. (among men and women combined) and bills that need passed to prevent future cases (H.R. 1220 & S. 624) ― it helps break down the unspoken stigma of the disease.
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The stigma we don’t like to talk about or even acknowledge (although it’s there).
The sigma that makes people’s noses turn up when you say the word “colon” or “colorectal.” The stigma that invites a slew of jokes when a colonoscopy is mentioned. The sigma that’s kept other celebrities touched by this disease silent. The stigma that kept me quiet about my own blood in the stool for a long time. I get it ― it’s not a “sexy” cancer.
Like it or not, beautiful, glamorous reality stars putting their voices, faces and brands behind the cause changes something. It fights the stigma and weakens it. It validates the survivor experience. It brings healing to those still fighting it, either personally or for loved ones.
It shows that just because “icky” colorectal cancer touched you, it doesn’t mean you should be quiet about it. In fact, Meghan and Heather’s advocacy shows the complete opposite.
Cancer is an equalizer
Meghan and Heather volunteered and walked the Capitol Hill halls just like the other 125 of us at Call-on Congress. We had the same goal ― to use our own experiences with colon cancer to make a difference. To help someone else avoid the pain we feel because of this cancer.
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It was a surreal experience (especially since camera crews came too).
During his ESPY speech, Chiefs player and cancer survivor Eric Berry said that cancer’s a great equalizer. He’s totally right. It doesn’t matter who you are, where you live or if you’re on TV… nobody is immune from this disease.
In order to beat it, we must fight together.
The very thought that millions who watch the Real Housewives of Orange County, both in real-time and in reruns, will hear the message that colorectal cancer is preventable makes me giddy. I hope they’ll learn when to get screened and when to see a doctor if they have signs and symptoms. (This is also a great opportunity to move the national goal of 80% by 2018 forward!)
I personally hope young people watching will see the faces of me and my friends in the crowd and realize it can hit you when you’re young.
But I also hope that having two Real Housewives put their support behind a cancer that’s often avoided, ignored or downplayed will help other survivors out there, too.
I hope it will show those embarrassed about facing a “butt” disease that it’s just a part of life and that talking about it can save others.
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I hope it will comfort those who still feel mortified about their symptoms and side effects ― the ostomys, scars, number of bathroom trips, skin issues and more. There’s no shame in what keeps you alive.
I hope it will fuel the passion and energy of those who’ve been touched by the disease and get them involved. There are opportunities to pay it forward.
Most of all, I hope it will make the message sink in deeper: colorectal cancer is nothing to be embarrassed about. After all, it was just on national TV.
Watch more of Meghan & Heather in D.C. with Fight CRC:
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