At some point during treatment, I started following this blog, where an author writes about her cancer treatment experience (and much more). Her post today jumped out at me:

In those months of chemo, I’d worried my mind and imagination might dull, my fierceness lessen. Six weeks out from surgery, I’m diminished in body but a peculiar power blooms in me. A determination to do what I want. An impatience with artifice. 

Well put! Without question, chemo dulled me mentally last year; thankfully that doesn’t appear to have been permanent. Nowadays, I too am reveling in life and vitality.

Among other things, I’m continuing to serve on the planning committee for Seattle’s 2025 walk to end colon cancer. Through this work, I’ve met many fellow colorectal cancer patients and survivors; most of them younger than me. June is National Cancer Survivors Month, and as I celebrate the conclusion of my treatment experience, I recognize many others still going through treatment, and also those who have sadly passed away. My heart really goes out to the 20- to 40-somethings who keep getting hit with this. They need all the help they can get, going through all the scary complexity of cancer treatment. Please consider joining me in supporting this year’s walk: https://impact.ccalliance.org/team/650712.