I'm Mel from New Zealand, diagnosed with stage 1 colorectal cancer.

Overwhelmed with emotions and faced with treatment decisions, I chose to forego chemotherapy, fearing its side effects.

I am thankfully free of cancer now. My journey has taught me to prioritize well-being and embrace life's precious moments without regret.

Before I received my diagnosis, I faced several symptoms such as

• Bowel bleeding for 6 months
• Abdominal pain
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Extreme tiredness

Then, my doctor delivered the news that I had stage 1 colorectal cancer.

I did not make any changes to my lifestyle after receiving my cancer diagnosis.

Every day felt like a battle, and I just didn't have the energy to spare for anything else.

I opted only for partial colectomy surgery as treatment. Non-surgical treatment plans were recommended by my oncologist too, but I didn’t want to risk getting sicker from chemotherapy.

Thankfully I was spared from the side effects of the surgery.

Life after treatment brought about some permanent changes. It was like a wake-up call, urging me to reassess my priorities and embrace a new way of living.

Before cancer, I was constantly juggling a million things at once. But now, I've learned the importance of work/life balance. I say "no" to things that I don't want to do and prioritize myself more than ever before.

Family has always been important to me, but cancer made me realize just how much. Before, I used to text/call my parents all the time, but now, it's harder. The fear and uncertainty sometimes make it difficult to reach out, even though I know they're there for me. As for visits, well, they've become less frequent.

Looking ahead, I've made plans for myself and my family. I recently got married, and we've planned trips both in my home country and overseas.

My dreams and aspirations are evolving through this journey. I've learned to care less about what others think and to chase my dreams fearlessly. Saying "yes" to everything I want to do has become my mantra.

But above all else, my biggest dream is simple: to make sure my children feel loved and safe. I also got married recently and my family is a source of motivation for me.

Cancer may have changed me, but it hasn't broken me. If anything, it's made me stronger, more determined to live life to the fullest.

Throughout my journey to recovery, my biggest fear is reoccurrence. The thought of going through it all again, or worse, facing a terminal diagnosis.

I don't think it's fully possible to overcome my fear. It's realistic to fear cancer coming back.

Today, my emotions are a mix of fearful and optimistic. On one hand, I still feel helpless and overwhelmed at times, grappling with the uncertainty of what the future holds. But on the other hand, I feel more courageous and hopeful, grateful for every moment I have and every hurdle I've overcome.

If there's one thing I've learned on this journey, it's this: make your well-being number one. Make as many memories as possible and live without regret.