‘Chemo Radiation almost killed me and continues to take away from me’

Charise Richards, a colorectal cancer survivor from Olathe, Kansas, shares her story.

“I was only 47 when diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Colonoscopies are recommended for people 50 and older. This should not be the age. Forty should be the age when people are recommended.

“Cancer, along with chemo and radiation side effects, are slowly taking my leg from me. No one can figure out how to stop the nerve damage that is traveling up my leg. I am a fitness instructor who teaches 10–15 classes a week: Bootcamp, BodyPump, Zumba, Senior Adult Fitness. I am not only losing stability, I am losing my ability to earn and keep my job. I am fighting with everything I know how, and it really wears on me physically and psychologically. I go through periods of depression. Exercise is the only thing that gets me out of my down times!

“Teaching fitness and helping others is what motivates me. I feel that I am an encourager. I love helping others get fit. Cancer is taking that from me. Why did this have to happen to someone who loves fitness and helping others? I will keep fighting with everything in me. I will keep helping others as long as I can. It is difficult because the nerve damage is taking my quad. But I won't give up — I won't let cancer win!”

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Charise’s six words (although she used more than six) to describe her cancer experience are “Chemo Radiation almost killed me and continue to take away from me.” Share your six words here.

Charise’s words, which were shared digitally through Tell KC, have been lightly edited for clarity.

As part of a local reporting project around the upcoming Ken Burns documentary series, Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies, KCPT presents Cancer in KC.

We want to learn more about how cancer affects our community. How has cancer impacted your life? Share your story.