Hello Fighting Pretty Babes! My name is Donni & I am one of the Fighting Pretty Brand Ambassadors! I'll start by sharing a little bit about who I am before I talk about my cancer journey!
I am 30 years old and live in Redmond, Washington. I am a 1st grade teacher (and a workaholic lol). I have the sweetest fiancé, Alan, and we share 2 doggos, Jax and Fiona. We have no idea when we will get married and will more than likely elope!
Alan and I met just 5 months before my cancer diagnosis and we already had moved in together. I thank my lucky stars that I met the love of my life when I did, and that he stuck by my side through the most difficult time of my life.
For about a year or so prior, I had experienced some health issues that I had chalked up to be a food allergy or something similar. I was terrified of the thought of being asked to get a colonoscopy due to the issues I was experiencing. I was talking to Alan about my issues and he said, “You need to make an appointment right now!”
I happen to be a little stubborn, but I am SO glad that Alan basically made me call and make an appointment because a few weeks later, I was wheeled out directly from my colonoscopy to get a CT scan of a mass that they found. Shortly after, I was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer.
I am proud to share my story because being a 28-year-old female with colorectal cancer is not something that is common. I share my experience to bring awareness and hopefully help others. There are two things that are really important pieces of my story:
- Having cancer sucks, but one of the most difficult things for me has been coming to terms with maybe never carrying my own children. After my initial six rounds of chemo infusions were not successful, I had to make the hard decision to do radiation. Pelvic radiation would mean that my ovaries and uterus would likely be affected by radiation. Before any treatment, I did do two egg retrieval cycles, thankfully! And I have met OBGYNs that have been hopeful that children may be in our future! But it is something that Alan and I both struggle with. I will never lose hope and will do anything and everything in my power to increase my chances.
- Something that I still struggle with is the perception of now that I am “Cancer Free”, my life is "back to normal". I know that my life will never be the same and I’m okay with that! I am thankful that I am cancer free, but that is not synonymous with life being normal. After six rounds of chemo infusion, 28 days of chemo and radiations, one low anterior resection (removing part of my colon) and loop ileostomy surgery, and one ileostomy reversal surgery, my body looks different than it did before. I wear my scars proudly. But the biggest change is that I am still experiencing lots of *ahem* “bathroom issues.” Which could take up to 2 years to regulate. I am one year in and I am tired. I eat the same things because I am terrified that if I eat something new, or anything with dairy by accident, I will literally be out of commission for the day. I only go to places where I know where the bathroom is. I have staff at work who know my issues and save the day when I send a frantic “bathroom please” text, or that check in on me during their planning time just in case (teacher besties for the win!).
It is all a learning process and I’m proud of how far I have come. I am thankful for the friends and family who have stuck by my side and are understanding of the anxiety I have when it comes to these issues.
I was over the moon when I found Fighting Pretty! I was AMAZED at all of the bad*ss women who were so welcoming. Becoming a brand ambassador will always be one of my favorite parts of my journey. I love the Fighting Pretty community and am SO thankful that it has allowed me to share my story. I get to have deep conversations and continue to learn from others. It has helped me get through really low times. I also got to share Fighting Pretty with my mom, who was diagnosed with, and beat, lung cancer shortly after my second surgery. Any time I get to share Fighting Pretty with someone new, I am ecstatic! Being a teacher has allowed me to educate my students and have meaningful conversations with them about cancer.
