Admire The Survivors

In January 2023, I started having constant pain in my lower stomach. Day after day it lingered—sometimes mild, sometimes intense—but never fully gone. Nothing I tried made it better. By February, I finally went to the doctor. He suggested a colonoscopy to rule out anything serious. I remember saying, “Why? I’m only 42, almost 43. There’s no way it’s cancer.” On April 27th, I had my colonoscopy. Afterwards, they brought me into a private room—the kind of moment when you know something isn’t right. That’s when I heard the words I never imagined: “You have cancer.” The very next day, I had blood work and scans. Then came the waiting—four of the longest, most terrifying days of my life. When the results came back, my doctor told me the cancer hadn’t spread to other organs, but some lymph nodes near the tumor looked suspicious. Two weeks later, I underwent surgery to remove a foot of my colon and 23 lymph nodes. Out of those, 4 tested positive. That’s when it became official: stage 3 colon cancer. From there, I had to be strong. I had a port placed, and on June 22nd, I began chemotherapy—four rounds of treatment plus two weeks of chemo pills. It wasn’t easy. Some days were harder than others, but I kept pushing forward. My last chemo infusion was on August 24th, and I finished my final chemo pills on September 7th. The turning point came on August 23rd, when my doctor shared the news I had been praying for: my CEA levels were normal. That meant I was cancer-free. Since then, I’ve gone to checkups every three months and scans every six months. And just recently, I celebrated my two-year anniversary of being cancer-free. Looking back, I never thought I’d hear those words—“You have cancer.” But I also never imagined the strength I’d find in myself, or the support I’d feel from those around me. If you’re going through this journey, know this: there is hope. There is healing. And there is life on the other side of cancer.

Starting in July 2017 Destiny woke up with a major headache. She and her husband visited the emergency room, where medical staff referred her to Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City. There, she was diagnosed with stage 3 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. After completing her initial chemotherapy regimen of twelve treatments, it was determined that a second round would be necessary. When the subsequent chemotherapy was ineffective, radiation therapy was administered. Following radiation, she underwent an autologous bone marrow transplant, which provided partial improvement. A second bone marrow transplant of the allogeneic sort was performed using donated cells from her sister, Breanna, which finally managed to put her into remission. However, the cumulative trauma from these treatments led to stage 5 organ failure, including congestive heart failure and advanced kidney failure. She required dialysis for fourteen hours daily over a period of two and a half years. Placed on the kidney transplant list, her family members worked diligently through the donor evaluation process until a suitable match was eventually found from a deceased donor. The transplanted kidney has been functioning well, and she is currently recovering after eight challenging years. The selfless contribution of the donor and their loved ones is deeply cherished and appreciated. During her journey, she has demonstrated perseverance and managed challenges. We appreciate the support provided by Friends and Family in our community over the years. Donations contributed to Destiny’s ability to access treatment and begin her recovery after eight years. Her experience highlights aspects of hope, family relationships, and organ donation.

My name is Chesney and this is my breast cancer journey. After nearly a year of persistent symptoms and inconclusive scans that answered no questions, I underwent exploratory surgery and as a result, at the age of 36, I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma in February of 2024, one day after my son’s sixth birthday. A cancer diagnosis at any age is intimidating, so confronting this at the beginning of a new career with two young kids at home, it rattled me but also sparked my determination. I was scheduled for a partial mastectomy and lymphadenectomy quickly after my diagnoses. A negative lymph node biopsy confirmed my cancer had not spread, so after a slow and complicated recovery I was able to start radiation treatment. I was fortunate enough to have a great radiation oncologist and team that made the experience the easiest part of the treatment thus far. Through each chapter of this ongoing experience, I have come to realize that cancer is a prolonged journey, not a singular event. Emotional wounds are profound and lasting and recovery isn’t just about healing physical wounds. From the beginning, I have had an army of earthly angels by my side. My family and friends were with me every step of the way and continue to be. I rely heavily on my Savior, trusting with certainty that prayers are heard and answered.
Being proactive about my cancer recovery meant educating myself on post-surgical medications. Last month marked a significant milestone-one year adhering to a medication designed to minimize the risk of recurrence, with four years remaining. Initially the decision was intimidating given the potential side effects I had been educated about. However, I didn’t fully understand until I went through it every day. I assumed taking a daily pill would be relatively effortless; instead, it has been a daily reminder of my battle with cancer and my dedication to ensuring it doesn’t return. As I reflect on this journey, my greatest hope is to empower YOU to act. Each person possesses a unique understanding of their body. If something feels amiss, heed your body’s signals and advocate for yourself. Thank you for reading my story.