My Story
This is my story....
From a cancer diagnosis to a successful health & wellness advocate, mentor, and life coach.
An unexpected diagnosis of colon cancer at the age of 46 was just the beginning of my wellness journey. Through hardships, trials, and tribulations I endured over the last few years, I now use my story and experience to provide hope and guidance to a path of optimal wellness.
This is when it all began...
2013
I met Brian in late January 2013. I was a newly divorced Mom of two young girls and in no place to start dating. Well, God had other plans for me. Brian came into my life within two months after my divorce was finalized.
I fought it for as long as possible, but the more I talked to him, the more I wanted to be around him. As I told my friends, Brian makes my heart happy. That was the only way I could explain how he made me feel. I introduced him to my girls within a few short weeks of dating. Yes, I know it was too soon to introduce the boyfriend to my kids, but I was ready. And so was Brian.
We dated for nearly four years before we got married. Brian spent those years bonding with my girls, who were 11 and 7 when they first met their future stepdad.
2016
Brian and I eloped with our two girls and were married at the Santa Barbara Courthouse on September 12, 2016. It was one of the best days of our lives. No lavish wedding, guest list, or stressing over finances, food, or a reception. It was just me, Brian, and our girls becoming a family. We bought our first house together less than three months after getting married in December. It was an exciting time in our lives.
2017
However, that was short-lived when our youngest daughter, Rowan, got sick and was hospitalized in January 2017 with bacterial meningitis. Not knowing who I was, what day it was, or even her name, she endured much trauma at 11 years old.
After two ambulance rides, one with lights and sirens on, a grand mal seizure, brain surgery, and massive amounts of solid medications given to her through a PICC line, our girl fought for her life. Two long, stressful months later, she was finally released from the hospital on March 4, 2017.
Fast forward to the present, Rowan is doing great. She’s a beautiful 18-year-old finishing her Senior year of high school. She’s a talented artist and plans on studying art history in college.
2020
It’s sad that when you see the year “2020”, you automatically associate it with Global shutdown. Yet, this was a pivotal point in so many lives. People suddenly had no jobs, stores were closed, people were not allowed to socialize, and schools were shut-down. This was our oldest daughter, Riley’s, Senior year in high school. She bought her Prom dress, paid for Grad Night at Disneyland, and was excited to graduate.
That all stopped on March 13, 2020, when the economy and the World shut down. Children who revolved around school, sports, and their friends, were now stuck at home and suddenly battling depression. Riley was one of those kids. It was heartbreaking as parents to watch our child experience hopelessness.
Fortunately, we found a great therapist who met with Riley weekly through Zoom and helped her through this transitional time. Nearly three years later, Riley is thriving. She’s completing her Junior year at Fresno State, studying to be a Speech Pathologist.
2021
Right as the World was slowly starting to function again, our personal lives were about to take on another challenge. In March 2021, I started experiencing significant stomach pains that progressively worsened over a few days. I finally went to the Doctor, and they sent me to get a CT scan thinking that I was possibly having appendicitis. The results showed that my appendix, kidney, gall bladder, and liver looked good. However, as the report said, I had a “heavy fecal load” on the right side of my colon. My Doctor called and told me I need a “good cleansing,” and then I’ll feel better. So I did just that; after a few days, the pain disappeared. After that, however, I felt in my gut (no pun intended) that something wasn’t right.
By late June 2021, the pain returned. This time I made an appointment with a Gynecologist. Endometriosis runs in my family, and I was experiencing some of the same symptoms my sister had, so I thought maybe that was the issue. After a lengthy appointment, which included a pelvic exam, but no other testing, the Doctor told me that with his 40 years of experience, he was 99.99% sure I had a bad case of endometriosis. He recommended a total hysterectomy. At that point, I was willing to do anything to make the pain disappear, so we scheduled my surgery.
Within a week, the pain had become significantly worse. I was nauseated, in tremendous pain, and experiencing chills and a low-grade fever.
I was hospitalized
Finally, after a night of vomiting, I told my husband I needed to go to the ER; something just wasn’t right. An ultrasound showed massive amounts of fluid in the lower right side of my abdomen. I was immediately admitted to the hospital for a possible ruptured appendix. I was taken to get a CT scan, and it was discovered that I had an obstructed bowel and a large mass surrounding my abdomen.
After a few days in the hospital, I underwent surgery to discover what was happening. But unfortunately, the surgeon didn’t know my outcome – would I need a colostomy bag? Was this all caused by endometriosis? It was a mystery!
It wasn’t until the next day that I heard from the surgeon. Thankfully Brian was with me to hear everything as I was still so doped up on morphine from all the pain I was in. The entire right side of my colon was removed along with my right ovary, Fallopian tube, a 5 cm tumor that had to be peeled off my stomach, and 40 lymph nodes. They also repaired a portion of my small intestine that was starting to tear. The surgeon could reconnect my remaining colon to the small intestine, so I didn’t need a colostomy bag.
The first question I asked was, “Did endometriosis cause this?”. “No, you don’t have endometriosis,” the surgeon told me. So my follow-up question was, “Do I have cancer?” He didn’t answer me. Instead, he said the tumor was sent to pathology, and we would have the results in a couple of days.
I spent the next few days recovering in the hospital, and on my first night home, I got a call from the Doctor.
You have colon cancer.
I was only 46 years old, considered young to be diagnosed with colon cancer. We were all in complete shock. At this time, I found out my surgeon was a cancer surgeon. They brought him in to do the operation to be on the safe side. All 40 lymph nodes he removed were negative, which was great news. I was considered stage 2.
After a DNA test and a second opinion, we decided chemotherapy was needed. So on October 11, 2021, I started the first of six chemo treatments. And let me tell you; it was brutal.
The type of chemo meds I was on did not cause me to lose my hair, although it did thin out quite a bit. However, the other side effects were gnarly! I was so sick and lost over 26 pounds. I was still healing from the colectomy surgery and learning to function with half a colon, and then the chemo on top of all that.
2022
My last treatment was on January 26, 2022. My body had taken a beating, but I got to ring that bell at the Cancer Center, and it was the best feeling in the world! A few weeks later, I had my scan and was told I was CANCER-FREE!
My story isn't over.
Living46 was created in a time of uncertainty in my life.
From the moment I began chemo treatment, I made it my mission to beat cancer and to be the HEALTHIEST version of ME.
I was NOT going to let cancer define me. It was a little detour in our lives.
After the creation of Living46, I spent nearly every day researching nutrition, holistic remedies, supplements, fitness, and of course, menopause and healthy aging. The articles I post are written from my own experience, use, and extensive hours of research.
My mission
I no longer take my HEALTH, RECOVERY, and LIFE for granted. The mission of Living46 is quite simple. It empowers optimal wellness through nutrition, fitness, healthy habits, holistic remedies, and gratitude in our 40s and beyond. I hope you’ll join along on my journey!
~ Kristin