My name is Tex. I work in marketing, and I’m from the USA. I’m a father to two children, and I caught and survived stage 1 colorectal cancer.

I had a family history of cancer and I’ve lost my sister to the disease. Symptoms like diarrhea just started all of a sudden. After my diagnosis, I sought a second opinion from a more experienced doctor. My doctor told me that my 5-year survival rate was 25%. Fortunately, I was declared cancer-free in February 2024.

I changed my habits, and exercised at least 50% more than I used to.

Initially, my doctor recommended a total colectomy and radiation therapy. I felt a little angry, anxious and scared. However, I had to change my treatment because I experienced unbearable side effects from the initial treatment plan. I did my own research as well.

After seeking a second opinion to find out what other options I have, I just did the total colectomy. This time round, I felt more discouraged, but less scared and angry.

To support my treatment, I also tried traditional Chinese medicine.

In terms of side effects, the ones that affected me the most were:

• Hair loss
• Fatigue
• Mucositis

To manage them, I relied on exercising more. Unfortunately, I did face financial difficulties while dealing with treatment, when it came to funding it.

I tried my best to commit to exercising twice as much as before. I found myself spending more time visiting my parents, but spent less time with my kids. Unfortunately, intimacy with my partner fell by a bit.

With my family, we plan to vacation. I love it, and it's what I look forward to. What helps motivate me is therapy, which gives me a lot of advice and helps to fade away my fears.

It’s death. What kept me going was a lot of advice from my therapist.

Now, I feel sad and empty.

To others, I would say: “Chase away fears, and stand strong.”