An important share. Sharing this was such a loving thing…and an act of giving for you to write about it for us all. It’s one way that we look out for each other. So thank you and thankful you received an all clear🩷
Oh my gosh, I def would have assumed your diet and lifestyle would rule you out, but I'm so relieved you're ok, and appreciate this message. You just never know; it can hit anyone. I did my colonoscopy, a little overdue for the mammogram. I'll call now!
Hi, Zakia—I am glad you’re in good health after colon cancer, particularly as I lost a close childhood friend to it two years ago. I had just returned from Japan when I called and found her in the hospital, post-surgery. It was the last time we spoke: the total time between her diagnosis and death was less than a month. I have no idea why she skipped her colonoscopy, but by the time she was diagnosed the cancer had spread and gene therapy couldn’t arrest it.
Hi Hope, I am so sorry for the loss of your friend. I'm glad you were able to see her one last time, but I wish you'd been able to share many more long and healthy years together. So many people have reached out to me to share similar stories of friends and loved ones who were caught off guard by a colon cancer diagnosis. Others have told me that they too have put off getting a colonoscopy for various reasons. But just as many, if not more, told me that they'd sign up to get a screening, or that they just had one! It is my hope that we can encourage more people to get screened and for them in turn to encourage others. It is good to hear from you and I hope that you are well.
Ditto the sentiment of relief we all felt when you confirmed you are ok! Appreciate you sharing your journey and amplifying the call for testing and screening.
I love a happy ending and am so thankful that you’re on the other side of that Z. Hopeful that you know you can call for whatever, whenever… even when we have a lot going on. Love you Sis.
I just wanted to say thank you for sharing and being so vulnerable with us and reminding us to stay on top of our health checks! So happy to hear that you’ve received a good report. Sending love…
Dearest, so glad you got a clean bill of health! You had me worried for a quick sec. I am also in the colonoscopy club, and we have a strong genetic history in our family as well. At Kaiser, it's even a simpler procedure that occurs outpatient. In my opinion, the bowel prep (all those laxatives) is the challenging part and the rest is a piece of cake. Thank you for sharing and giving me the opportunity to share, too. xoxox
Thank you Veronica! I seriously cannot figure out why they can't make that stuff taste better. Second time around I read somewhere that if you put it in the fridge it tastes better chilled. Who knew? Apparently it does. So that'll be my go to technique from now on. It's always good to hear from you!
Sis! Wow! What courage this took to share. Thank you for PSA. I got my 1st colonoscopy at 45 and they said my polyps were precancerous. I returned a year later and was relieved to hear that I was clear. I told Issa, and everyone else in my contacts to get their colonoscopy without hesitation. I've had my share of meat, but always considered my meals balanced. It really doesn't matter how healthy we believe we are, you still need to get screened. I'm glad you're on the right track. We're still young and really have no excuse for skipping doctor appointments. Love you. Great article!
Thank you Daoud. I called Issa a few weeks before my colonoscopy was scheduled to ask him if he'd done one, and he was like yeah, NBD, big sis. It made me realize how silly I was being to keep putting it off. I see now I have you to thank! I know better and I'll do better. Love you always cuz!
We're navigating some uncharted waters. Each milestone has some new challenge or emotional saw horse to straddle. If I can be a lifeline to you, don't hesitate. I hope Ian is making time to prioritize his health too. He looks ageless (like you) but I know there's more that we can't see. Stay well Z. Give my love to the family.
Thanks D that means a lot. And the same, no hesitation. ❤️ (Ian got his colonoscopy on time and on schedule and got absolutely boring regular schmegular no-cancer test results back- so nothing to write home - or on Substack- about at all. He might make me delete this comment 😁 ) Love to the family!
Great message , Zakia. I’m glad you caught it early in the “invisible” stage. I know a 27 year old right now dealing with Stage 3c. It’s shocking to see cancer hitting the under 40 group at these rates. Keep talking about it —and urging people to get those scans, Like you, I live a healthy lifestyle and always have, but we’re vulnerable too. I had a scan recently that revealed a deep underlying, as yet invisible problem. I had the scan because I (still— it’s the U.S.) have insurance, and the condition I have is genetic. Did you know your dad had colon cancer in his early 50s?
Thank you Marguerite. It's always so hard to hear about someone so young, in their 20s, battling cancer. I hope for the best possible outcome for him or her.
You are right of course, a healthy lifestyle helps, but does not make us immune. Our bodies are vulnerable, temporal and ultimately fallible. But the ability to be vulnerable emotionally is courageous and makes us human I think.
I am glad you got the scan and now have new information about to work with. I hope it will allow you to tackle and manage the condition in such a way that it does you no harm and hopefully one day can just be an after thought.
I had no idea my father had colon cancer in his 50s. And I absolutely would not have put off the colonoscopy had I known. Still, it should not have made a difference, knowing or not knowing, I should have gotten screened at 45.
But this just furthers my conviction that it is better to talk about these sometimes intimate and sometimes embarrassing things. Sending you love.
Thanks, Zakia for having the courage to share so eloquently about a topic that is rarely talked about. I'm so glad to hear that you are okay.
I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis 8 years ago and it was a long and very debilitating process with illness and a struggle to finally get a diagnosis. After complications, a serious infection and very long hospital stay with treatment that was completely covered, I finally had some answers as well as a new reality of having chronic auto immune illness to manager. I was grateful to have the healthcare that was available in the Netherlands. As an immigrant away from home, despite all my privilege, I still initially struggled with being taken seriously that something was very wrong. I so appreciate your openness and reminder to get regular exams including colonoscopies. I just had my yearly one this past week and while I grumbled to myself about the prep and process, I was grateful to receive a healthy report.
Celebrating your clean bill of health from Amsterdam, thanks again for sharing.
Thank you Vanessa! I can feel your positive energy all the way in Japan! You touched on something that I think we need to talk more about too - being taken seriously when trying to figure out what's going on when something doesn't feel right and learning to be/having to be, a self advocate. Women in general are frequently dismissed when trying to find answers for ailments, especially chronic auto immune illnesses. I'm reminded of the 2007 documentary and TED talk that Jen Brea made about the lengths she went to while trying to identify her illness.
The healthcare system in the Netherlands and Japan I believe are similar. And for that I am grateful but I know it is not easy trying to navigate any health care system let alone an unfamiliar one. I know there is a lot of English in the Netherlands but it must be intimidating nonetheless to attempt to maneuver Dutch cultural nuances and language. It's also a humbling and unique experience and perspective to be an immigrant and to be aware of the mix of privileges and disadvantages we have depending on the lottery of birth.
I am glad you finally have some answers along with better and informed ways to manage UC. That's a big deal! Thank you also for sharing about a little about your journey. I can't begin to tell you how many people have reached out to me since posting this just a few hours ago to share their experiences and to let me know that they will now get screened if they hadn't already. It helps to not feel alone. Sending ❤️!
I blazed through reading this to make sure you’re ok and thank goodness you are! I had my first mammogram early in my 30s because of a lump I couldn’t ignore. Turns out I have dense breast tissue (as many women do, no matter the size by the way!) and so I get checked annually (starting again at 40) and often have to return for a second test, and only once, a biopsy. But I do relate to the denial and procrastination, I would have put off a colonoscopy longer but I couldn’t ignore visible blood, and I was embarrassed by having to admit this to my doctor, as a single mom of kids whose dad is MIA, I could not ignore it. I’m so glad you’re getting tested and so grateful for your early detection. Thank you for bringing attention to reality which may feel uncomfortable for some, but can be lifesaving.
I probably shouldn't have buried the lead! I'm fine 😆! I am glad you're okay and getting checked regularly, it's true, my children motivate me to do all kinds of things I wouldn't necessarily do for my own sake, but like you, knowing that they need me and wanting them to see me take care of myself so that they in turn prioritize caring for themselves is important. These days, I have no shame in talking about most everything (like don't even get me started on menopause) but for whatever reason, squeamishness and embarrassment around this particular subject almost got in the way of doing the right thing. Thank you Dana! I'm glad we are both okay. ❤️
An important share. Sharing this was such a loving thing…and an act of giving for you to write about it for us all. It’s one way that we look out for each other. So thank you and thankful you received an all clear🩷
Oh my gosh, I def would have assumed your diet and lifestyle would rule you out, but I'm so relieved you're ok, and appreciate this message. You just never know; it can hit anyone. I did my colonoscopy, a little overdue for the mammogram. I'll call now!
Hi, Zakia—I am glad you’re in good health after colon cancer, particularly as I lost a close childhood friend to it two years ago. I had just returned from Japan when I called and found her in the hospital, post-surgery. It was the last time we spoke: the total time between her diagnosis and death was less than a month. I have no idea why she skipped her colonoscopy, but by the time she was diagnosed the cancer had spread and gene therapy couldn’t arrest it.
Hi Hope, I am so sorry for the loss of your friend. I'm glad you were able to see her one last time, but I wish you'd been able to share many more long and healthy years together. So many people have reached out to me to share similar stories of friends and loved ones who were caught off guard by a colon cancer diagnosis. Others have told me that they too have put off getting a colonoscopy for various reasons. But just as many, if not more, told me that they'd sign up to get a screening, or that they just had one! It is my hope that we can encourage more people to get screened and for them in turn to encourage others. It is good to hear from you and I hope that you are well.
Nice to hear from you, Zakia! I’m in Tokyo at the moment but in and out of town. It would be great to meet up!
Ditto the sentiment of relief we all felt when you confirmed you are ok! Appreciate you sharing your journey and amplifying the call for testing and screening.
I love a happy ending and am so thankful that you’re on the other side of that Z. Hopeful that you know you can call for whatever, whenever… even when we have a lot going on. Love you Sis.
Thank you sis! Love you and it should go without saying but I'ma say it anyway. Same. whatever. whenever. ❤️
I just wanted to say thank you for sharing and being so vulnerable with us and reminding us to stay on top of our health checks! So happy to hear that you’ve received a good report. Sending love…
Thank you Tiffany ☺️ Sending love right back! ❤️
Dearest, so glad you got a clean bill of health! You had me worried for a quick sec. I am also in the colonoscopy club, and we have a strong genetic history in our family as well. At Kaiser, it's even a simpler procedure that occurs outpatient. In my opinion, the bowel prep (all those laxatives) is the challenging part and the rest is a piece of cake. Thank you for sharing and giving me the opportunity to share, too. xoxox
Thank you Veronica! I seriously cannot figure out why they can't make that stuff taste better. Second time around I read somewhere that if you put it in the fridge it tastes better chilled. Who knew? Apparently it does. So that'll be my go to technique from now on. It's always good to hear from you!
Sis! Wow! What courage this took to share. Thank you for PSA. I got my 1st colonoscopy at 45 and they said my polyps were precancerous. I returned a year later and was relieved to hear that I was clear. I told Issa, and everyone else in my contacts to get their colonoscopy without hesitation. I've had my share of meat, but always considered my meals balanced. It really doesn't matter how healthy we believe we are, you still need to get screened. I'm glad you're on the right track. We're still young and really have no excuse for skipping doctor appointments. Love you. Great article!
Thank you Daoud. I called Issa a few weeks before my colonoscopy was scheduled to ask him if he'd done one, and he was like yeah, NBD, big sis. It made me realize how silly I was being to keep putting it off. I see now I have you to thank! I know better and I'll do better. Love you always cuz!
We're navigating some uncharted waters. Each milestone has some new challenge or emotional saw horse to straddle. If I can be a lifeline to you, don't hesitate. I hope Ian is making time to prioritize his health too. He looks ageless (like you) but I know there's more that we can't see. Stay well Z. Give my love to the family.
Thanks D that means a lot. And the same, no hesitation. ❤️ (Ian got his colonoscopy on time and on schedule and got absolutely boring regular schmegular no-cancer test results back- so nothing to write home - or on Substack- about at all. He might make me delete this comment 😁 ) Love to the family!
Great message , Zakia. I’m glad you caught it early in the “invisible” stage. I know a 27 year old right now dealing with Stage 3c. It’s shocking to see cancer hitting the under 40 group at these rates. Keep talking about it —and urging people to get those scans, Like you, I live a healthy lifestyle and always have, but we’re vulnerable too. I had a scan recently that revealed a deep underlying, as yet invisible problem. I had the scan because I (still— it’s the U.S.) have insurance, and the condition I have is genetic. Did you know your dad had colon cancer in his early 50s?
Thank you Marguerite. It's always so hard to hear about someone so young, in their 20s, battling cancer. I hope for the best possible outcome for him or her.
You are right of course, a healthy lifestyle helps, but does not make us immune. Our bodies are vulnerable, temporal and ultimately fallible. But the ability to be vulnerable emotionally is courageous and makes us human I think.
I am glad you got the scan and now have new information about to work with. I hope it will allow you to tackle and manage the condition in such a way that it does you no harm and hopefully one day can just be an after thought.
I had no idea my father had colon cancer in his 50s. And I absolutely would not have put off the colonoscopy had I known. Still, it should not have made a difference, knowing or not knowing, I should have gotten screened at 45.
But this just furthers my conviction that it is better to talk about these sometimes intimate and sometimes embarrassing things. Sending you love.
Thanks, Zakia for having the courage to share so eloquently about a topic that is rarely talked about. I'm so glad to hear that you are okay.
I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis 8 years ago and it was a long and very debilitating process with illness and a struggle to finally get a diagnosis. After complications, a serious infection and very long hospital stay with treatment that was completely covered, I finally had some answers as well as a new reality of having chronic auto immune illness to manager. I was grateful to have the healthcare that was available in the Netherlands. As an immigrant away from home, despite all my privilege, I still initially struggled with being taken seriously that something was very wrong. I so appreciate your openness and reminder to get regular exams including colonoscopies. I just had my yearly one this past week and while I grumbled to myself about the prep and process, I was grateful to receive a healthy report.
Celebrating your clean bill of health from Amsterdam, thanks again for sharing.
Thank you Vanessa! I can feel your positive energy all the way in Japan! You touched on something that I think we need to talk more about too - being taken seriously when trying to figure out what's going on when something doesn't feel right and learning to be/having to be, a self advocate. Women in general are frequently dismissed when trying to find answers for ailments, especially chronic auto immune illnesses. I'm reminded of the 2007 documentary and TED talk that Jen Brea made about the lengths she went to while trying to identify her illness.
https://youtu.be/JvK5s9BNLzA
The healthcare system in the Netherlands and Japan I believe are similar. And for that I am grateful but I know it is not easy trying to navigate any health care system let alone an unfamiliar one. I know there is a lot of English in the Netherlands but it must be intimidating nonetheless to attempt to maneuver Dutch cultural nuances and language. It's also a humbling and unique experience and perspective to be an immigrant and to be aware of the mix of privileges and disadvantages we have depending on the lottery of birth.
I am glad you finally have some answers along with better and informed ways to manage UC. That's a big deal! Thank you also for sharing about a little about your journey. I can't begin to tell you how many people have reached out to me since posting this just a few hours ago to share their experiences and to let me know that they will now get screened if they hadn't already. It helps to not feel alone. Sending ❤️!
I blazed through reading this to make sure you’re ok and thank goodness you are! I had my first mammogram early in my 30s because of a lump I couldn’t ignore. Turns out I have dense breast tissue (as many women do, no matter the size by the way!) and so I get checked annually (starting again at 40) and often have to return for a second test, and only once, a biopsy. But I do relate to the denial and procrastination, I would have put off a colonoscopy longer but I couldn’t ignore visible blood, and I was embarrassed by having to admit this to my doctor, as a single mom of kids whose dad is MIA, I could not ignore it. I’m so glad you’re getting tested and so grateful for your early detection. Thank you for bringing attention to reality which may feel uncomfortable for some, but can be lifesaving.
I probably shouldn't have buried the lead! I'm fine 😆! I am glad you're okay and getting checked regularly, it's true, my children motivate me to do all kinds of things I wouldn't necessarily do for my own sake, but like you, knowing that they need me and wanting them to see me take care of myself so that they in turn prioritize caring for themselves is important. These days, I have no shame in talking about most everything (like don't even get me started on menopause) but for whatever reason, squeamishness and embarrassment around this particular subject almost got in the way of doing the right thing. Thank you Dana! I'm glad we are both okay. ❤️