My Cancer Journey & Where I Am Today

“Cancer took my rectum and left me with lifelong challenges, but it didn’t take away my faith, resilience, or love for my family. Today I’m asking for help so we can get through this difficult chapter together.”

Hi, my name is Véro. I’m a wife, mom, artist, and home chef — and also a colon cancer survivor.

In 2023, my life changed completely when I was diagnosed with stage 2A colon cancer. I went through radiation, chemotherapy, and major surgery to remove part of my colon and my rectum, followed by months of recovery with a temporary ileostomy (an external bag for waste). It was one of the hardest experiences of my life, but by God’s grace I became cancer-free.

In December 2024, I had reversal surgery to reconnect my colon so I could begin living without the ileostomy. I was hopeful about returning to “normal life.” But because my rectum is gone, I now live with a permanent condition called Low Anterior Resection Syndrome (LARS).

Living With LARS

The rectum normally acts as the body’s “storage tank” for stool and helps control when and how you go. Without it, stool passes directly to the anus with little warning or control. This has left me with:

Sudden, urgent trips to the bathroom (sometimes many times in a row)

Incomplete emptying, sending me back and forth

Severe irritation and pain from frequent bowel movements

Unpredictable digestion, where even “safe” foods can trigger cramps or diarrhea

Disrupted sleep, because urgency often keeps me up at night

Exhaustion and anxiety, never knowing when symptoms will hit

Why This Is Disabling (Invisible, but Life-Altering)

Even though I may “look fine,” here’s how this condition disables me in everyday life:

No reliable control or warning

Without a rectum, there’s virtually no storage buffer. Urges can be sudden and overwhelming, leaving little or no time to “hold it” or find a bathroom.

High frequency & clustering

Bowel movements can come in clusters—many trips in a short period—often with the feeling of not being finished. This can consume hours of a day.

Unpredictability

Good days and bad days swing without warning. That unreliability makes it nearly impossible to commit to a work shift, commute, meeting, class, or social plan.

Sleep deprivation & fatigue

Nighttime urgency means broken sleep, which leads to daytime exhaustion, brain fog, and low energy. It affects concentration, memory, and mood.

Pain & skin damage

Frequent bowel movements cause burning, raw skin, and pain, making sitting, driving, or standing for long periods genuinely difficult.

Diet & hydration trade-offs

Eating can trigger symptoms, so I must constantly manage what, when, and how I eat. If I eat too little, I’m weak; too much or the wrong thing, I’m in pain.

Medication trade-offs

I take Imodium daily to slow things down enough to function. It helps, but it can also cause bloating, cramping, or constipation—so every day is a balancing act.

Accessibility needs

I often need immediate bathroom access, which many jobs and public settings can’t reliably provide. Travel and errands require detailed planning and backup plans.

Emotional toll & social limits

The constant worry about accidents creates anxiety and isolation. I avoid outings not because I want to, but because I can’t risk losing control in public.

In short: this is an invisible disability. It affects my ability to work, sleep, eat, travel, and participate in normal life—every single day.

What I’m Doing to Manage (I’m Fighting for Better Days)

I’m not giving up. I’m actively working to reduce symptoms and rebuild stability:

Learning how to eat for bulk and gentler digestion

Taking Imodium daily to slow transit

Pelvic floor exercises to strengthen control muscles

Tracking foods and symptoms to find patterns

Building routines around my bowels (timed meals, bathroom schedules)

Skin care to protect irritated areas (e.g., barrier creams like zinc)

Electrolytes and hydration to prevent depletion on bad days

Even with all of this, LARS remains unpredictable and exhausting—and that’s why working outside the home has not been possible.

Why I Need Help

Since May, I’ve had no income. I attempted to return to work for a few months, and while i was doing training it was flexible for me to be able to go to the bathroom as needed. But when came the time to get back to my role full time taking calls, I realized that being tied on the phone (I work as a call.center representative from home), was not working out for me, and my barriers became apparent. I've gone through the process of having workplace accomodations, which they've allowed me breaks, but I am just not well enough or reliable because of the severity of my symptoms and the nature of my job (where i can't just tell the customer I'd call them back). My doctor supports me being on leave, and is helping me with all the forms and documents I need. I was denied EI medical, and I’m still waiting on my LTD application to process, which is likely going to take another month or two. My husband is working hard to support us, but I don’t want to see him burn out under the weight of it all. Without my income, we cant afford to pay all our bills and the rent. Our son just started college—the last thing he needs is more stress or to watch his parents struggle.

We’re doing everything we can on our own:

I’m selling what I don’t need, we’re likely to sell our vehicles, and we’re searching for cheaper housing. Even with all of that, we’re still falling behind. I’m humbly asking for help to keep us afloat while I keep fighting for stability and wait for disability support.

Funds will help cover:

Rent and utilities

Groceries and daily living expenses

Medical costs and supplements that help me manage LARS

A bit of breathing room while we downsize and stabilize

How You Can Help

If you’ve read this far, thank you. Any amount helps, truly. If you can’t donate, sharing this fundraiser means the world to us.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for supporting me and my family through this difficult chapter. Your kindness gives me hope for brighter days ahead.