National Cancer Survivor Day Celebration

At 57, I was living a healthy, active life as a health coach, marathon runner, and

triathlete. I had always taken great care of my health and never imagined that

cancer would be part of my story—until it was. My journey began when my twin

sister was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. Her diagnosis prompted me to take

a more proactive approach to my own health. I scheduled a routine colonoscopy,

mammogram, and Pap smear, never expecting these exams to lead to life-altering

news.

The results were a shock: I was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. Within two

weeks, I underwent surgery to remove the tumor. However, during the procedure,

the surgeons discovered a satellite tumor on my peritoneum. They sent the tumor

and surrounding lymph nodes for testing, and unfortunately, they were cancerous.

A few weeks later, I met with my oncologist, who recommended a follow-up CT

scan. Although he was confident that the surgeon had done an excellent job, he

wanted to ensure that the cancer hadn’t spread to other organs. The scan revealed

that the cancer had also spread to my liver and lungs. I was now considered

palliative, with chemotherapy as my only option to extend my life from six months

to possibly three years.

Faced with this grim prognosis, I chose to take an active role in my treatment. I

opted for traditional chemotherapy but also incorporated naturopathic treatments

into my regimen. I believed this combination would help support my body during

the chemotherapy and aid in my healing. The journey wasn’t easy, but the balance

of conventional medicine and natural therapies helped me stay strong and cope

with the challenges I faced.

Chemotherapy brought its own set of difficulties, and there were moments of

doubt. But I stayed focused on my goal: survival. I leaned on my family, friends,

and my own determination to make it through. By 2020, I was officially in

remission, and today, I am celebrating five years of being cancer-free. Every day is

a gift, and I am incredibly grateful for this second chance at life.

Looking back, I realize that my success wasn’t just the result of traditional

treatments or naturopathic therapies—it was my mindset, my resilience, and my

refusal to give up. Cancer tried to take my life, but instead, it gave me a new one,

one filled with gratitude, strength, and a deeper understanding of what truly

matters.

Today, I use my story and the Book I wrote “ Racing for a Miracle Ronnie’s

Cancer Journey “to inspire others. It’s a reminder that no matter what life throws at

you, there’s always a way to fight back, to transform, and to live with purpose.

This is not just a story of survival; it’s a story of transformation.