Believe…

in life’s treasures

Amy Pike

In 2017 I was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer. I was a healthy, athletic, 32-year-old physical therapist with a huge mass in my colon that spread to my liver, abdominal wall, several lymph nodes, and both lungs. Since then, I have had four major surgeries, more than two years of intense chemo, and two cycles of radiation.

I lived half a life as I adapted to needing to receive all my nutrition through a feeding tube, lived with a colostomy bag, and learned to walk again. I was taken to the darkest places in life, but I was able to find real treasure there. I found a stronghold in Hope and learned that worry is a waste (it never really prepares you for future bad, it only robs you of present good).

Cancer is a roller coaster of opposites, emotional highs and lows, good news, tragedy, victory, and defeat. Today, my scans are clear, and my tumor markers are normal. I am officially ten months cancer free! This journey has blown the ceiling off what I thought life should look like. It freed me up to pursue dreams I never dared to dream. In January, I opened my own gym! Now I show people there is always access to hope and help them unlock the impossible in their own lives.

Colon Cancer