My Journey with Colon Cancer by Charlene Roycht

When I had a sudden four day bout of severe stomach pain, feeling constipated, bloated with gas, about eight years ago, I had no idea it was cancer of the colon. Up to that point I felt healthy, happy; living life at a full tilt boogie pace. Unfortunately those four days occurred in Toledo, Ohio(visiting my family) and I had to drive back to Toronto. I didn't make it. I made an emergency stop in Ingersol and what a lovely hospital and staff they have. They sent me on, with x-rays, to London, where the dr. wanted to operate immediately, telling me in no certain terms it was an emergency and ... cancer of the colon! Amidst my tears and fright, I refused, and called my partner. She called my own dr., called a friend to drive with her, and they came to get me and my car. We went directly to Women's College emergency, where they were waiting for me. I was in shock trying to digest ... cancer of the colon. I chose to wait for Dr. Claire Halloway ... on duty the next morning and supposedly one of the best. I now agree to that. She was calming, honest, compassionate. Love her. Successful operation with a temporary colostomy. Reconnection ... six months. This all happened labour day weekend, 1998. I was 58 at the time ... and never heard of colostomy's. All too sudden. Too scary. After many tears, my family coming to visit me from Toledo, and Dr. Halloway assuring me "it's going to be alright," I settled into life with a bag, believing all the cancer was removed. Chemotherapy was recommended and I carried on with Dr. John Blondal, another great member of the medical profession. Brother, did I luck out with those two doctors.

Chemo wore me out and I was really so tired by Christmas of that year. There were many accidents with the bag, lots of pooh all over bed sheets, clothes. Finally, the bags and I bonded. Eventually I wrote a 'Bag Book.' What a journey, what a challenge ... it all was, for me. The reconnection operation went well in May of '99, but I remember the hole in the side of my belly took a fair bit of time to heal. My system took a while to remember what a great system it was. And finally, all was fine. Thank you God. And yes, I prayed through it all. I hosted a healing circle, I had friends come and pray over me, sing to me, had all kinds of alternative healers do whatever they could to me. I was open to 'it' all. And 'it all' worked. Now, I guess it's almost nine years I'm healthy, I so appreciate every bowel movement, every passing gas. I am so grateful I had a temporary bag. Everyday I thank God. I do. And pray to guide me and use me to give back. I remember praying and crying while this was happening, begging 'that higher power' to let me live. I just wanted to live.

Life seemed and seems, me, every moment, so precious. I love living. Now I'm a personal coach and try to support my clients into living their best life ... for what's living for if not to live your best life - your gifts. Each one of us is here to make the planet better. I believe that. I give talks and workshops to motivate, inspire folks to 'be the best you can be. I'm realizing I want to do more to encourage everyone to get their annual colonoscopy. Don't forget to get drugged, though. It's better when you're 'out.' Do whatever you can to be as healthy as you can. And live your best life ... giving back, helping to make this place, a better place. Life is sacred. We're sacred. Wow ... a pretty exciting combo. So ... get on with it. And if you happen to get cancer of the colon ... remember me ... nine years strong and healthy after that scare. It comes, it goes. It's a wake up call to go deeper, appreciate life a bit more, and give back.

God bless.

My website is www.roycht.com