In the beginning

On December 19th, 2013 my cell phone rang.  It was the day of my father's 80th birthday.  Instead of my father, though, it was my oncologist.  I had been waiting for the results of my biopsy that was performed the week prior. The cancer had returned.

My journey with cancer began in late 2010.  I can't say particularly when, since my symptoms were slow in development and painless in nature.  I passed some blood - not much - but persistently enough to make me go to the doctor by the end of the year.  One doctor led to another and by February 1st, 2011 (remember snowmageddon?) I was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer.  April 2011 found me in surgery to have my colon resectioned and a port-a-cath inserted for chemo treatments.  Chemo started at the end of April.  One session of FOLFOX every two weeks for twelve total sessions ending in mid-October of 2011.  I was cancer free...

I've been managing cancer since I was 37 years old.  I stayed in remission for almost exactly two years.  Now I must start the fight all over again.