In this episode of Thrive Through the Fire, I share why I continue to talk about colon cancer, even years after my diagnosis — and why this conversation is not meant to scare you, but to equip you. As colorectal cancer rates rise, especially in younger adults, awareness matters more than ever. But this episode is about more than statistics. It’s about stewardship. It’s about obedience. It’s about using the story God allowed me to walk through to help someone else walk through theirs. When I was diagnosed, I had no idea how public my journey would become. My cancer experience included overwhelming doctor appointments, scans, surgeries, recovery, and waking up with an ostomy bag. None of it was glamorous. None of it was Instagram-perfect. It was raw, uncomfortable, and very real. Learning to live with an ostomy bag as a young woman and mom was humbling. There were questions no one talks about openly — what it feels like, how to dress, how to navigate confidence, intimacy, church, public spaces, and everyday life. Those conversations are rarely on a stage, but they matter deeply when you’re the one living them. Early on, I made the decision not to hide. I chose to share my appointments, my surgeries, my fears, and even my ostomy experience publicly. Not for attention. Not for sympathy. But because I believe stories heal. Sharing became cathartic. It helped me process what I was walking through. It helped remove shame. Silence creates isolation, but conversation creates connection. I was blessed to have people I could talk to during my journey. One friend in particular became a lifeline for me because she also had an ostomy bag. From one young woman to another, we talked honestly about what life really looked like. I could text her questions that felt vulnerable. I could ask what was normal. I could admit when I felt overwhelmed. That kind of connection steadied me. Even now, years later, people still reach out. They remember what I shared. They message me when they or someone they love is facing a diagnosis. They ask about surgery, recovery, ostomies, fear, and faith. And I answer — because I remember needing someone who had already been there. This episode explains why I share boldly. I believe God created me that way. Not everyone is called to speak publicly about their hardest seasons, but I am. If He carried me through hospital rooms, through surgeries, through the physical and emotional weight of cancer, then I don’t want to waste the testimony. Revelation reminds us that we overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. Testimony is not always polished. Sometimes it includes scars. Sometimes it includes medical devices. Sometimes it includes moments that feel anything but attractive. But when we bring those things into the light, they lose their power to isolate us. This conversation is not about fear. It is about awareness. It is about listening to your body. It is about getting screened. It is about advocating for your health. And it is about reminding anyone facing a diagnosis that they are not alone. If my willingness to talk about doctor appointments, surgeries, and an ostomy bag helps one person seek care sooner, ask better questions, or feel less ashamed — then it is worth it. God wastes nothing. Not even the hard parts. If this episode speaks to you, share it with someone who may need encouragement or a push to schedule that appointment. Awareness saves lives, and testimony builds bridges. You are not alone in your journey. And together, we can learn how to thrive through the fire.
