In 2021, as the COVID-19 pandemic stretched into its second year, a different kind of disease was brewing inside of Lisa, a 47-year-old vegan and yoga practitioner. Without any of the classic risk factors or symptoms, she was desperate to rationalize away the obvious tumors on her scans, wanting to believe anything except cancer was possible.
The long and difficult journey to diagnosis was fraught with pitfalls and wrong turns, ambivalent doctors, and insensitive nurses. Through the efforts of a strong advocate, she was finally placed in the care of some of the best doctors Los Angeles has to offer, only to be devastated to learn that she had Stage-4C Colon Cancer.
Facing unspeakable odds, she dove head first into aggressive treatments that decimated her body but never destroyed her innate optimism and positivity.
Through the lens of the natural world around her, the young cancer survivor reveals the intensely private and deeply emotional aspects of fighting for her life. Sometimes with a pinch of humor but always with raw honesty, she holds on to bright hope that warmly invites you to share in her journey.
In 2021, as the COVID-19 pandemic stretched into its second year, a different kind of disease was brewing inside of Lisa, a 47-year-old vegan and yoga practitioner. Without any of the classic risk factors or symptoms, she was desperate to rationalize away the obvious tumors on her scans, wanting to believe anything except cancer was possible.
The long and difficult journey to diagnosis was fraught with pitfalls and wrong turns, ambivalent doctors, and insensitive nurses. Through the efforts of a strong advocate, she was finally placed in the care of some of the best doctors Los Angeles has to offer, only to be devastated to learn that she had Stage-4C Colon Cancer.
Facing unspeakable odds, she dove head first into aggressive treatments that decimated her body but never destroyed her innate optimism and positivity.
Through the lens of the natural world around her, the young cancer survivor reveals the intensely private and deeply emotional aspects of fighting for her life. Sometimes with a pinch of humor but always with raw honesty, she holds on to bright hope that warmly invites you to share in her journey.
Â
5:30 on the morning of my final chemotherapy infusion, my dogs discovered and chased a rabbit around our backyard. They were unrelenting in their pursuit, all three animals racing to either escape or inflict death.
After securing the dogs in the house, I found the little rabbit lying flat on the ground next to our ancient olive tree. Carefully, I picked her up in my hands, feeling her racing heart, pumping lungs, and unimaginably soft fur. She lay unmoving in my hand. I gently turned her over and felt all the parts of her body, searching for signs of broken limbs or bite wounds. She seemed to have come through her ordeal unscathed. I returned her to a hole in the fence and she hopped away into the dark safety of our neighbor’s dogless yard.
This event has stuck with me as the perfect metaphor for my brush with cancer.
Like the rabbit running for her life, I, too, would drive myself to the edge of death trying to escape colon cancer. Whatever amount of energy I had to sacrifice to fight this thing, I would give. No matter what terrain lay in my way, I would not stop until the danger was gone or until the chase killed me.
For over a year, I was engaged in the ultimate run for my life. In December 2021, I received a diagnosis of Malignant Neoplasm of the Sigmoid Colon, Stage-IVC[1]. In the 10 months that followed, I endured 4 surgeries, 12 weeks of chemotherapy, and 29 rounds of radiation. I suffered through all the physical side effects, emotional traumas, painful recoveries, and sleepless nights one would expect during cancer treatments. Against all odds, I escaped the chasing monster. And I would do it all over again if it meant I can remain here on Earth for just a little longer.
I was determined that cancer would not take me down. No matter what I faced, it would not change who I am, and I would not let it consume my head. Cancer will always be a part of me, stalking from the shadows like a dog sniffing for hidden rabbits in the garden. How long I can stay hidden remains to be seen. But I know one thing for certain: I need to be even better at hiding than I was at running.
Cancer is not a disease that is cured in the conventional sense. Chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, surgery, and all the modern medical interventions may kill, zap, attack, and remove it from my body, but cancer will never be gone from my life. I can fight it and I can do everything in my power to outrun it, but it will always be a specter haunting my trail. Living out the rest of my life with the shadow of cancer on the edge of my periphery, I will continue to be tested, poked, prodded, scoped, bled dry, cut into, or scanned. Cancer may be forever, but I refuse to live in a perpetual state of fear and uncertainty.
I find myself another rabbit in the garden, hiding from cancer and recovering from this near-death experience, exhausted from running for my life.
[1] pT4a pN2a pM1c for more information on cancer staging: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/colon-rectal-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/staged.html
Round The Twist: Facing The Abdominable by Lisa Febre is a poignant memoir that chronicles the author's journey through a challenging battle with colon cancer. The book takes readers through the author's diagnosis, treatments, emotional struggles, and the weighty impact cancer has on her perspective and appreciation for life. Febre shares her experiences with honesty and vulnerability, using vivid storytelling to convey the physical and emotional complexities of facing a life-threatening illness.
The story is a compelling blend of raw emotion, resilience, and self-discovery. The author takes readers on an intimate exploration of her cancer journey, from the initial shock of diagnosis to the grueling treatments and the profound moments of connection and understanding. Febre's writing is both introspective and relatable, offering a window into the human experience of battling a relentless adversary. The chapters on chemotherapy, the emotional challenges of hair loss, and the unexpected sources of inspiration, such as her dogs and hummingbirds, provide depth and nuance to the narrative. The author's ability to find meaning and strength in the midst of adversity is a testament to the human spirit.
Round The Twist: Facing The Abdominable is a good read for anyone seeking a deeply personal and authentic account of the human experience in the face of a life-altering illness. The author’s storytelling is both evocative and inspiring, offering readers a glimpse into the resilience of the human spirit. I highly recommend this book to those who appreciate memoirs that explore the intersection of vulnerability, courage, and the pursuit of a meaningful life. The narrative not only educates about the challenges of cancer but also resonates with universal themes of hope, love, and the strong will to live. Without hesitation, I give this book a well-deserved 5 out of 5 stars for its emotional depth, authenticity, and the enduring impact of its narrative.
Â