‘Cancer, you can't stop me!'

Marsha Kaufman of Platte City, Missouri, is a fitness instructor and survivor of colon cancer.

“I am a cancer survivor of eight months. Yes, fresh off eight rounds of chemo after being diagnosed with stage II colon cancer last July. I immediately had surgery to remove a 2-inch tumor, 15 inches of colon and 38 lymph nodes.

“Because it was found early, everyone asks ‘how did you know?’ Well, I went to my doctor in September 2013 complaining of abdominal pain and difficulties in breathing. She diagnosed me as having a sports hernia and asthma. I knew she was wrong. I (went) to a gynecologist, thinking it was a female issue. I went to nutritionists, thinking it was a food sensitivity issue. All I knew was something was wrong. I was living on Pepto Bismol and could hardly run anymore as it left me breathless, even with an inhaler.

“In May 2014, I went to a different doctor in desperation. She listened and ordered a whole series of tests. It was through the colonoscopy that they found the tumor and blood work was finally observed accurately. I was severely anemic.

“By the way, I was 45 at the age of diagnosis, no genetic link and nothing of high risk. As a health/fitness professional, I thought this would NEVER happen to me. It did.

“Cancer made me realize that despite living and working as a fitness professional, I was not bulletproof. Cancer definitely does not discriminate! Looking back on the entire experience, it has made me more compassionate, patient and kind. Live life! That's my new motto.

“Surgery was required, and I did not hesitate. As Stage II, it did not progress to the lymph nodes. However, adjuvant chemotherapy was recommended by one doctor and yet not by another. After much thought and watching my best friend during her cancer treatments, I opted for the chemo to insure that nothing remained. I did eight rounds of Xeloda, which is in pill form: 14 days on and seven days off. I had two rounds where I could not finish due to side effect creating tremendous foot neuropathy discomfort/pain.

“My emotional scars are deep. Family and friends that I thought I could turn to either said negative comments or simply did not respond. Cancer is NOT contagious, but people just do not want to or know how to deal with it. The general population needs to get in touch with reality on cancer. It’s not ‘if,’ its ‘when’ it will touch your life and take from you what truly matters.

“I will give much love and credit to those that did support me through the process. I know it was not easy as you, too, had to ride an emotional roller coaster. My heart is forever grateful for you!

“I am a fitness professional with over 20 years of experience. My job is to keep people healthy. I thought I was doing that through my actions and my work site positions. Little did I know that, despite all preventive actions, I would get cancer. Do I remain motivated to stay healthy? Absolutely! As my doctor told me, I found the cancer early because I listened to and knew my body. Many people don't, and it becomes too late. Additionally, I am watching my best friend go through her second occurrence of cancer in less than nine months. It scares me that you are told you are healthy, only to come back three months later to find the opposite.”