While October often centers around breast cancer awareness, it’s important to remember that breast cancer isn’t the only diagnosis that impacts women. Countless women face other forms of cancer with equal measures of resilience, courage, and strength. At Lake Norman Woman, we are honored to share these powerful stories that go beyond awareness and spotlight the determination, advocacy, and hope that carry women through their toughest battles. Kelley Dunbar’s journey with colorectal cancer is one such story—one of hardship, perseverance, and ultimately, transformation.
By: Kelley Dunbar
It started subtly in November 2021 with hip and tailbone pain I dismissed as just a sign of getting older. But after months of failed remedies, a series of appointments led to an MRI. On a Monday morning, a phone call shattered my world with four unforgettable words: “YOU HAVE CANCER.” The diagnosis was Stage 3 Colorectal Cancer. My husband and I were speechless. My world had just been turned upside down.
The road ahead was daunting. My treatment plan was aggressive: radiation five days a week for eight weeks, alongside chemotherapy administered through a port in my chest. A pump would be attached to me for five straight days at a time. The side effects were relentless, leading to ER trips, blood transfusions, and even a hospital stay. I remember collapsing after one treatment, telling my husband I couldn’t do it anymore, that I was giving up. In that moment of despair, an infusion nurse found me. She gave me a hug and a tiny glass jar containing a mustard seed, telling me, “You can do this, giving up is not an option.”
Her kindness was a turning point but so was finding my own voice. I grew unhappy with the care I was receiving from my medical oncologist. It’s a terrifying thing to question your care team in the middle of a battle for your life, but I learned then that it’s okay to get a second opinion. I found another provider, and it was the best decision I could have made. You must be your own biggest advocate.
On January 25, 2023, I rang the bell, signifying I was cancer-free. But the journey wasn’t over. The recovery was slow, and I faced new side effects, both physical and mental. This disease is not just physical; it is mental.
Through this, I found a new purpose. I connected with “Cancer Buddies” through The Cancer Foundation, which was a breath of fresh air. Now, I am proud to be a Cancer Buddy to five amazing women fighting this disease. I’ve also had the honor of being a Peer Lead Speaker at the 2023 Cancer Summitt. My journey taught me that my husband was right: this disease does not discriminate. But it also taught me that we are not alone. There is a powerful community of support out there, and by advocating for ourselves and each other, we can and will get through this battle.
