I am thankful and grateful to have friends and family that had walked this journey with me, who I can look up to. Who has their head and their heart and their spirit in harmony? Who face adversity and who have risen though challenge.
I will keep my head up, and will have a smile on my face, and continue to share my story with you so that you too may have the courage and faith to walk through life with a smile and your head up high to face all the challenges life throughs at you.
Let me start by introducing my self: My name is Yasmin Bahish, I am a colon cancer warrior to a genetic disorder named (EpCAM) Lynch syndrome. I have lost 4 members of my immediate family to this genetic disorder.
I was diagnosed at the age of 37 with stage 3 colon cancer. I was told I have had cancer for a minimum of 3 years.
Prior to my diagnoses, I was pregnant with my youngest son, my pregnancy was the worst out of all 3 children. I suffered a great deal of pain and discomfort and vomiting for 9 months, along with the bleeding and the stabbing pain. No one knew what was wrong with me. All the tests, the ultrasounds that were done did not detect my cancer.
When my youngest son was 6 months old, my symptoms started getting worse to a point where I was vomiting 24/7 again as though I was still pregnant I lost 23lbs in about 3 months.
I was finally seen by an amazing caring Gastrologist / Surgeon, Dr. Dalal Aziz. She performed colonoscopy/endoscopy Once I was diagnosed Dr. Aziz wasted no time and had me in for surgery right away; I am very blessed that she has come into my life at the right time; she saved my life. After the surgery came the dreaded chemo treatments.
Dr. Aziz then sent me and my oldest son (who has Chronʼs and colitis) to Dr. Zane Cohen at the Center for Hereditary Cancers and Inflammatory Bowel Disease at Mount Sinai Hospital.
Once Dr. Zane Cohen and his team learned that I had lost 4 immediate members of my family to colon cancer, including my mother at a very young age, he tested me right away for Lynch Syndrome/ EpCAM. I was found to be a carrier of this genetic disorder.
Dr. Zane Cohen and his team, recommend that anyone over 18 years old should be tested, Specially my siblings and children., We found out that my oldest son is also a carrier of this genetic disorder. I have passed it on to his generation.
Dr. Zane Cohen and his team have been very supportive. They follow up with monitoring my sonʼs condition. His tests/scans results are always quickly provided to me and the latest treatments options discussed. We are very grateful to be in the hands of such a professional, amazing team. It is obvious that peopleʼs lives do matter to them.
I know what it feels like to lose someone you love to this monster, (Cancer) and I know the pain that losing or watching someone you love suffering and battling Cancer and feeling hopeless that you canʼt take their pain away.
I watched my mother battle for almost 5 years until she lost her battle. I know the pain of Cancer and what it does to a fighter.
I remember being on chemo and being so sick and in so much pain, I was getting my strength by watching my kids, and pretending that everything was normal and I was ok. To be honest I was grateful that I was still there with them.
Regardless of what challenges life was throwing at me. I knew I could overcome it, I knew I was up for all the challenges.
There will be times when you get weak and you question your journey, but with acceptance it becomes easier, I didnʼt give up, I fought to live just so I can find a cure for my genetics, to help my self, my family and everyone that has been affected by EpCAM/Lynch Syndrome and all Hereditary Cancers and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.
I hope my story can inspire someone that is suffering and reassure them that there is a life after Cancer and itʼs a beautiful life. Hang in there warriors tomorrow is a brighter day. Seek and you shall find, “Do not let your difficulties fill you with anxiety, after all, it is only in the darkest nights… “that stars shine more brightly.
Have faith in your journey for it is only advancing you and preparing you for a better brighter life. Lots of love and healing your way.
Yasmin
