Hi. My name is Angie and I have Stage IV colon cancer. I was diagnosed in May of 2001, 6 1/2 months after my second baby was born. In retrospect, my symptoms started shortly after my 29th birthday. I have been fighting this disease for 10 years, 2 of which, thanks to a misdiagnosis, I did not know what was wrong with me. Since my diagnosis, I have had part of my colon removed, two liver surgeries, and a hysterectomy (cancer related). My cancer has been found in my liver (both lobes), one of my ovaries, and wraped around my left ureter. Most recently, I have a tumor affecting the right kidney & ureter. I have undergone 4 different rounds of chemotherapy and am about to complete my 5th in Dec. 2010. I've had one round of radiation, and I've had multiple stents in both ureters. I am first and foremost a mother, wife, daughter and sister. My cancer is not my life. I do not dwell on it much anymore, I do not live in constant fear anymore. I believe in traditional therapies. I don't buy into the cancer snake oils well-meaning people want me to try. (Once some weird lady tried to "channel her energies" at me and remove the disease. It was disturbing & commical all at the same time. The only thing I got from that was that she has bigger problems than I do!) I don't do strange, restrictive diets (I'm supposed to be dead anyway and I like to eat, so what is the point?). I trust my doctors, I go to all my appointments, and I have all of the necessary testing done that is required. I'm strong. I'm healthy. I work and raise my 2 girls. I exercise as I can, and I am still an avid skiier. I attribute my longevity with this disease to keeping busy with my family, keeping my mind focused elsewhere, faith and prayers, and lots of laughter.