On March 10, 2014 I was admitted to the hospital for emergency surgery to remove my appendix. I woke up the next day in the ICU alone and confused. The resident came and asked the usual questions, do you know where you are and what is your name. After responding she informed me that they did perform an appendectomy however a tumor was discovered, removed and biopsied. Then she said the words I'll never forget ..I'm sorry, but you have colon cancer. WHAT! How did this happen? I'm 36yrs old with a husband and children. The roles aren't suppose to reverse, I'm suppose to worry about my husband when he's deployed or in the field. Not the other way around. Cancer had yet shown it's ugly face. Two years prior my mother was diagnosed with colon cancer also.

Four days after surgery, my surgeon came and spoke with my husband and I. His news wasn't any better. "Mrs Barefield, I apologize but a year ago you were misdiagnosed with colitis. You had colon cancer and now your at stage 4. It has spread to the peritoneal wall. You will require another surgery to remove it from the stomach layer after 3 months of chemotherapy, called HIPECC. (Heat induced chemotherapy infused directly into the abdomen)."

I had the surgery in August and by the first week of November I was back in chemotherapy for 11 rounds. We moved to Houston in January 2015 so that I could be treated at MD Anderson Cancer Center. In February they said that I was cancer free and I rejoiced only to find out April that they found a small growth they were going to monitor just for precaution but no chemotherapy was needed. In July it had grown but they still didn't recommend chemotherapy. In October the Dr said it was continuing to grow and now they are going to do chemotherapy but not until November. November 13th I went into MD Anderson to find out the schedule only to be told that they were not going to do it because it would kill me. I was like what? I don't understand. Then the doctor revealed to me that I was being recommended to hospice and there was nothing else that can be done. So here I am now living for and through God. My journey isn't over...