The YACC community is filled with talented, enthusiastic, interesting people who share great photos and messages on Instagram, so we decided to let someone “take over” our account once a month to shed some light on how they are affected by young adult cancer. Since these stories are important and awesome, we are also posting a wrap-up here on our website once the takeover is complete.
Our third guest ‘grammer is Elise Bonder (@elisebonder). Elise’s takeover showed what her life is like as she deals with metastatic colon cancer in her early 30s.
TAKEOVER! Elise . stage 2 colon cancer at age 30 . metastatic at 32 . currently 34 and NED . married to @roblovestocook . dog lover . crossfitter . #getreadyformyday #dontblinkyouwillmissit #acolonoscopysavedmylife #ihadacolonresection #ididxelodachemo #ihadaliverwedgeresection #ididFOLFOXchemo #lookatmyprofileyoucanseemyscars #hangingwithYACCsince2013
Neuropathy pain from chemo? Crocs to the rescue. #colourmustbeobnoxious #almostputmycrocsbeforemyfaceshot #iblameoxaliplatinforthis #crocsworn247literally
Pilling two of four. #secondpillingbeforebreakfast #pillingonewasat5aminthedark #mypillsonlysmileonsomedays
Give myself an hour to wake up from the morning haze before I do anything drastic or useful. #itisabigasshaze #iwokeupat2am4am #stupidinsomnia #eggseveryday #noglassisbigenoughformyproteinshake #ridethebordercollie
Every day, no excuses, I go walking. My three dogs keep me honest! #everydayexceptdaythreeofFOLFOXchemo #emilythemalinois #whispertheacd #ridethebordercollie
Crossfit is simply my happy place. One of the only places I can turn off my brain from cancer and get a break. #makesmesleepbetter #makesmestronger #makesmehardertokill #makesmementallytougher #makesmetrustmybodyagain
Courtesy of @karineshrum, we have some of today’s programming. #itisgonnahurt #nervousgiggles #iloveropeclimbs
#watchmesuffer #tinypartofthemetcon #usedthewrongweight #iblamechemobrain #tookfourteenminutes
#pushthethingthatweighsmorethanyouacrossthegymforfun #climbtheropefifteentimes #tookseventeenminutes #iampartmonkey
DONE! #seriouslyihavenotreachedmylimits #myfaveshirt
Off to therapy to work on my insides. #noshameintherapy #goodcoffeehelpsmotivateme #wishtherapywascoveredbyOHIP #thisisbetterthanmedicationforme
I stop a lot and stare. Simply because it’s beautiful. Try it. #thisisagiftfromcancer #lifeisbreathtaking #thislifeistooshort
I have a CT scan, an MRI, a colonoscopy, a colposcopy, blood work TWICE, doctor appointment, and a dentist apt this MONTH alone. #cancerismyfulltimejob #iamdisabledaccordingtothegovernment #itendtoagree #iammetastaticnoevidenceofdisease #thisisnotabnormalforme
A quick trip to the barn to play my fave game with my fave boy! This is the other place I forget about cancer <3 #ridethebordercollie #seriouslysomethingilove #makesmesmileonmyworstdays
Just got bloodwork results by email. I’ve been fretting all day about it and clicking refresh a lot. Sigh. Time for some fresh air to think it over. #someresultsarebetterthanbefore #someresultsareworse #medicationchangesagain #ifonlyalldoctorsworkedwithemail
I’m home. I’ve hit the wall. It’s only 5 p.m. I am literally useless from now until bedtime at 9 p.m. #oftenicryfromexhaustionatthispoint #iamliterallyunabletofunction #onmykitchenfloor #emilythemalinois
My amazing husband, @roblovestocook, brings me dinner. Anti-inflammatory foods. My third meal of this exact food today. Perfect. #mealprepmeanslessthinking #dietishugeinmanagingmypain
Good night, world. Pilling four of four down the hatch (gulp). #thislifeisallwehave #iwanttogrowoldsobad #survivalisonmymindsixteenwakinghoursaday #wouldntitbecoolifiwonthisone
Big thanks to Elise for sharing a day in her life! Are you interested in hosting your own takeover? Get in touch with us at connect@youngadultcancer.ca!
