My name is Jake, I am 51 years old and was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer in 2017 just three weeks after moving to Arizona.
It came on suddenly, I did not have any symptoms other than stomach aches until 3 days being admitted to ER surgery. At that time, I was vomiting and couldn’t even keep water down, was extremely dehydrated, went into a seizure and sepsis. The ER doctors told myself and family had I gotten to the hospital 15 minutes later, I would have died.
There is no cancer, past or present, in my very large numbered family. Not one. So, it was a surprise to us all. The ER surgeons removed my golf ball sized tumor from my large intestine that had attached to my small intestine which both had to be reconnected after surgery. I stayed with my wife by my side, in ICU for 12 days and then my journey with chemotherapy began.
My cancer has spread and I am now Stage IV with metastatic cancer on my liver, lungs and abdomen. It is also traveling in my lymph nodes.
I have been through numerous chemo meds through my chemo chest port,, clinical trials and now the chemotherapy pump. None have worked in shrinking the cancer cells nor have I been in remission without oral chemotherapy.
My doctors tell me that I will die of this disease and when they do not know. But my caregiver and wife and best friends of 30 years, Ruthie and I refuse to give in to that prognosis.
We have traveled, met many awesome new friends and family in this journey, learned that life is precious and there is nothing to fear.
Most of all, compassion for others in no matter what life trial they and family are going through. Colon cancer is not a cancer that should be checked for over the age of 50, many have been diagnosed in their 20’s.
Please live life, love much and get checked regularly.

ABOUT Jake

Bio

• Denver, Colorado

Diagnosis

• Colorectal Cancer

Primary Treatment

• Chemotherapy

Primary Cancer Center

• Mayo Clinic Cancer Center

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