Having Colon cancer taught me one thing. I now love my body for what it can do. I am thankful for the surgeons who did a great job, so I only have a bikini-line scar, and especially to Dr. Safar at Hopkins, who successfully connected my small intestine to the remaining 3 cM of my sigmoid colon. I may have a fast GI system, but I do not have a colostomy, and I am thankful.

I am grateful that my body is getting stronger, and I accept where I am. I am not fighting the fact that I am slower then I used to be, that I am weaker. I take it for what it is and try to improve from where I am at.

I no longer fight my body, but accept it for what it is. I am thankful that I started this journey as a strong person, because even though much of my strength is gone, I know what I need to do to recover.

I am grateful for it all, and am amazed how my body recovers after each round, how my genetic makeup functions with each round of chemo.

Most importantly, I am thankful that I found this tumor, that I have a chance to fight this, that my body is doing this for me. I no longer am ashamed of my body. I no longer wish I were skinny. I accept my body for what it is, and am thankful every day.