Blog|Articles|February 27, 2026

Six Years After Colon Cancer, I’ve Grown Stronger

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Key Takeaways

Early-onset colorectal cancer in the context of familial clustering underscores the emotional weight of diagnosis and the perceived contrast with relatives diagnosed later in life.
Developing assertiveness is portrayed as a protective shift from people-pleasing and emotional suppression toward clearer self-advocacy and boundary-setting.
Increased independence emerged through confronting fear, including traveling alone, reframing uncertainty as a growth opportunity rather than a threat.
Intentional optimism is described as a trainable mindset, moving from “Why me?” toward hopeful, adaptive thinking during and after cancer treatment.
Long-term survivorship is characterized by identity reconstruction, pride in resilience, and readiness to face future stressors with greater grace and confidence.

Six years after a colon cancer diagnosis, Carla Deschamps reflects on growth, independence and optimism shaped by survivorship.

Viktor Frankl once expressed, “When we are no longer able to change a situation — we are challenged to change ourselves.” This quote represents what happened to me six years ago. On February 20, 2020, I was diagnosed with colon cancer. Never in a million years did it cross my mind that I was going to be a cancer survivor. Even though colon cancer runs in my family, I never would have guessed that at a very young age, I was going to experience what my aunt and uncle had to go through, as they were also diagnosed with the same illness as me.

The only difference was that both my aunt and uncle were diagnosed with colon cancer when they were much older. Unfortunately, my aunt did not make it and died in her early fifties. I was only fifteen when this tragedy occurred. I never knew that my aunt passed away because of colon cancer; my parents never shared with me the type of cancer that she had. I found out after my diagnosis, which made me realize how blessed and lucky I am to be alive. In this blog, I would like to share with you how, even though I could not change my situation, it allowed me to challenge myself to change who I am as a person and how I view my life experiences in a more effective manner.

To start off, being diagnosed with colon cancer changed my life for the better. As difficult as it was, the experiences and life lessons I went through made me appreciate life more. I have learned to be more outspoken and adventurous, two qualities that I struggled with before my diagnosis. I remembered in my earlier years how expressing myself was extremely hard for me. When something or someone bothered me, I simply stayed quiet and did not say anything. By doing so, I was protecting the feelings of that person versus protecting my own. This was not healthy for me due to the fact that I was hurting myself in the process. Yet, after my diagnosis, I have learned to proclaim my voice and speak up when I have to. It has been a life lesson that I am very grateful for.

Being adventurous has never been a part of who I am. I must admit that I was incredibly fearful of trying new things. I always depended on my family to do certain things, such as traveling. I never liked to travel on my own, but that completely changed after surviving my illness. I have gained an understanding of the significance of being independent. Now, I have traveled on my own and realized that fear should have never impacted me to experience the unknown. If anything, it has made me live life more vividly and grow as an individual. I recognize now that I am more than I give myself credit for.

Additionally, being more optimistic has definitely played an important role after my diagnosis with colon cancer. I have always viewed life from a positive perspective. From my point of view, as humans, it is easier at times to draw in the negative, yet we have the power to overcome that and change the way we view things. When my doctor informed me that I had colon cancer, my first thought was “Why me?” My reaction or response was coming from a negative point of view, but as I became more mindful of my situation, I learned to train my thinking and created a stronger, more hopeful mindset.

To conclude, it has been six years since my diagnosis. Looking back at everything I have gone through, I am exceptionally proud of the woman I am today. I faced my challenges and journey with my head held high. What I am most proud of has been how much I have grown as a person. I am more than I could have ever imagined to be. I know I still have more to learn and grow, but now I have the grace and wisdom to face any obstacles life has in store for me. Indeed, I would love to end my blog by stating the following: “I am a remarkable woman who wants the best in life and is not willing to settle for less.”

This piece reflects the author’s personal experience and perspective. For medical advice, please consult your health care provider.

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