March is colorectal cancer awareness month, so let me give you a little help in getting screened. For those of you who may be a bit nervous for your first colonoscopy, prep is the worst part! I put this together for a friend a while back, and I hope it helps someone out there.1/n

March has come around again, and so here I am to remind you that it is #ColorectalCancer awareness month. If you are 45 or older PLEASE make sure that you get screened. There are many options like the #Cologuard test by @ExactSciences or a colonoscopy from your gastroenterologist. If you choose a colonoscopy (the gold standard because it can remove polyps during the procedure), you will need to undergo prep for the procedure. Over the years, I have collected many tips that can help ease the prep. Hope they help, and I would love to hear any new tips that you have to share!

This past year has redefined what it means to be my caregiver. @ejgallagher1 has gone over and beyond what anyone could ask for. He should have updated his LinkedIn Profile many times in the course of what he has been asked to do. He is my patient navigator, taking on all phone calls to handle incorrect billing, scheduling visits with my PT and OT, and ordering all supplies needed not only for my use, but also for my RN who has to change my port and draw labs weekly. Eddie is my care coordinator, spotting anything new and communicating with my doctors to ensure that any new issues (like my current bout with shingles) are spotted and taken care of early on, he communicates my pain levels and needs, and he reviews my labs weekly and ensures that all my doctors are on the same page. Eddie has also been my best on call nurse, he had to learn how to pack my wound and does it better than any wound nurse out there! He also handles every ask that I make from my bed, be it changing my foley, bringing me a soda, or setting up my TPN. This man does it all and should be celebrated every day, not just on #NationalCaregiversDay. Eddie, I can’t say how much I love you because there are not the words to say. But know that I love you less yesterday than i love you today. And I will love you more tomorrow than I love you today. I also have to say thanks to my sister, Jenny, for all her help. Heimdall has fallen in love with her and is her shadow whenever she is here. Despite Heimdall getting in the way, Jenny visits frequently to give Eddie a few moments to himself, and she is so thoughtful. She helps me with things like trimming my nails, she cleans, and entertains Raegan and Heimdall. Thank you sis, for all your help. I love you!

Yes! Definitely someone we in the #colorectalcancer #patient community look up to!

Thank you @Larvol!!!

Thank you @brunolarvol, for always supporting not only patient voices, but patients themselves. Your thoughtfulness and your efforts are remarkable. 💙

I have such a love/hate relationship with radiation. It has been a successful tool for controlling tricky metastases, but it has also caused some serious and life-altering long term side effects. Looking forward to @fumikochino’s take on this session!

Excellent job with the plain language summary. This will help #patients to understand the importance of biomarkers.