Colon Cancer Survivor Series
Colon Cancer Survivor Series is a personal and educational storytelling series highlighting lived experiences, patient advocacy, recovery, and resilience following one woman’s colon cancer diagnosis.
Through first-person narratives and reflections, this series explores the emotional, physical, and systemic realities survivors face: from diagnosis and treatment to healing, faith, and life beyond cancer. The goal is to amplify survivor voices, encourage early screening, and foster honest conversations about colorectal health, dignity in care, and community support.
The Diagnosis Hit Hard… But the Reality of Cancer Hit Even Harder
“My Colon Cancer Journey: Part 2 — The Reality Check” By Veronica Barber-Moore Cancer — such an ugly word. Cancer — she can be an adjective or a noun. Cancer — she is not selective. Cancer — she forces you to decide quickly whether you will fold or fight. Cancer — stop avoiding her; at…
My Colon Cancer Journey: Part 4 — The Fight of My Life
By: Veronica Barber-Moore Surgery lasted a little over two hours. When I woke up, I learned they had removed the mass from my colon and performed a colon reconstruction so that I could continue normal bodily functions. I was grateful — grateful for breath, grateful for time, grateful that my body still had a chance…
My Colon Cancer Journey: Part 3 — The Night Before the Battle
By: Veronica Barber-Moore The night before surgery is a strange place to exist. It’s quiet, but your mind is loud. It’s still, but your spirit is pacing. It’s the kind of silence that forces you to confront everything you’ve been trying to outrun. I had spent days preparing — physically, mentally, emotionally. I researched everything…
My Colon Cancer Journey: Part 1 — The Discovery
By Veronica Barber‑Moore/Simpson County Native I’ve always considered myself a healthy person. I exercised regularly, avoided fried and processed foods, and replaced many of my old eating habits with protein shakes and cleaner choices. So when I first noticed a strange, foul odor after my bowel movements, I brushed it off, assuming it was tied…