erika hanson brown

A colonoscopy screening test performed on me in August, 2002, revealed that the source of my continuing gastric discomfort, weight loss, and unexplained anemia was “something” that was found in my ascending colon. A CT scan was scheduled, a visit with the surgeon appointed, and I was told that I probably had colon cancer. Only surgery would tell us what the stage and prognosis would be. All I could think of was that I knew no one who had ever been diagnosed with or knew anything about colorectal cancers. I didn’t know what to think or how to feel about it all; all I knew was relief, because the medical professionals had finally discovered the “something” that was wrong for me. Following my surgery, I was informed that further treatment (six months of chemo) would be required, principally because of the late staging of the tumor (IIIC). Of those six months, I don’t remember much. I was very ill, depressed and sad, and there were many days that I felt that I just couldn’t continue with the chemo regimen. But I do remember the calls that I got from Peggy F., a survivor who’d “made it” through her own chemo a couple of years prior to my treatment. My communicating life ceased during those six months of chemo; layers of dust grew on my computer, my phone was not touched. On occasion, I would listen to the growing list of voice mails, and there would always be a message from Peggy. Her messages of “You can do this; I know you can,” and “remember to JUST SAY YES to offers of help” were the pleasant and constant reminders that someone out there had made it through this. If she could do it, I could too! Peggy was counting upon me to “make it”, and this fact always reminded me once again of my own determination to survive through these tough times I was then experiencing. I did make it. I was declared NED after five years and “dismissed” by my oncologist. Eight more NED years have been added, and the medical community uses the magical word of “cured” in my case. Heck! They don't even want to talk to me anymore! But I needed those calls from Peggy F. to help me through those darkest of days, weeks and months. I’ve created the COLONTOWN concept because I want to make sure that colorectal cancer patients are given the same advantage that I got: those consistent, encouraging, supportive, knowledgeable phone calls from one survivor - further down the path than I. No one should ever have to go through this experience alone again.