What Kind of Life Do You Want to Live? Running a Marathon After Colon Cancer Surgery Sets a New Personal Best | Patient Story
Author｜Fantuan(Patient's Account)
Editor｜Xianning
Life is unpredictable. One day I was planning how to systematically train for running, improve my pace, and break my personal best; the next, I had to accept the news that I had colon cancer and needed immediate surgery.
I actually had a decent understanding of health basics and knew that colonoscopies are recommended after age 40. However, due to years of rigorous exercise (cycling the Sichuan-Tibet route, completing over 30 full marathons, and even running 110km ultramarathons), I assumed my body was fine and never scheduled a colonoscopy.
It wasn't until August 2023, just before my 45th birthday, that I finally went to the hospital for a colonoscopy. I expected everything to be normal, as in previous years. Instead, the results were concerning, suspecting descending colon cancer, which was confirmed two days later. At the time, I naively thought removing it would solve everything, knowing nothing about cancer. In late August, I underwent a radical resection for descending colon cancer at Xiangya Hospital. I was discharged on September 7, and the postoperative pathology report that day showed a TNM stage of pT3N1bM0.
During my recovery at home, I accidentally learned about the Panda Group and joined it out of curiosity. Through studying the shared documents and guidance from the group admins, I gradually gained a comprehensive understanding of my condition. I finally understood what pT3N1bM0 meant, learned about the upcoming chemotherapy, medication protocols, precautions, and how to manage side effects. Based on the group's information, I decided to continue chemotherapy at Wuhan Union Hospital, as it's conveniently accessible from Changsha. Throughout my illness, my wife and mother stayed by my side. I am deeply grateful to them.
Whenever I faced side effects or questions during chemotherapy, I always found reliable answers in the Panda Group. It gave my treatment a clear direction. Thank you to the Panda Hubei and Hunan groups.
After four cycles of chemotherapy, guidelines and my staging indicated I could stop treatment. However, doctors had differing opinions, with many recommending completing eight cycles of the CAPEOX regimen. After consulting Dr. Lin Zhenyu at Wuhan Union Hospital, Director Xiao Han, and Dr. Peng Zhi at Peking University Cancer Hospital, I decided to follow the guidelines. I officially ended treatment and had my PICC line removed on December 16, 2023.
I finally completed my treatment.
I decided to resume exercise to help my body, worn down by surgery and chemotherapy, recover as quickly as possible. I started with slow jogging, gradually increasing from 5km to 10km (taking a full month off during the Spring Festival due to bad weather). As sweat poured out and my muscles and tendons moved smoothly again, I slowly regained that familiar feeling.
In March 2024, I began daily morning runs, slowly finding my rhythm. Surprisingly, my monthly mileage reached 215km without feeling exhausted. I decided to give the Yueyang Marathon a try, something I had previously doubted I could join. After easily completing a 35km long run in late March, my confidence to participate in the Yueyang Marathon grew even stronger.
The Yueyang Marathon was held on April 6, 2024. I didn't dare mention it to my wife until April 2. Given my recent major surgery and chemotherapy, she was naturally very worried. After persistent persuasion and promising to withdraw immediately if I felt any discomfort, she reluctantly agreed.
A close friend of 19 years drove with me from Changsha to participate. To accompany me, he, who never runs, signed up for the ~4km fun run. Thank you, brother, for standing by me through life's toughest trials. On April 6, the Yueyang Marathon course was flat and the temperature ideal. I maintained a 4:50/km pace for the first 25km, briefly feeling confident I could break 3:30. However, due to my short recovery training period, I slowed down significantly in the second half. I finished in 3 hours, 35 minutes, and 33 seconds—over 3 minutes faster than my pre-illness personal best. I am highly satisfied with the result.
Above is my sharing of colon cancer treatment and recovery experiences. For treatment advice, the experts in the Panda Group offer many authoritative opinions. I have always considered the Panda Group my solid backing.
I am currently undergoing regular follow-ups. If, unfortunately, recurrence or metastasis occurs later, I firmly believe my friends will give me their utmost support. I will not worry about what hasn't happened yet, and will focus on living each day to the fullest.
I am not suggesting everyone run marathons to push their physical limits. Rather, I believe we should have the freedom to choose how we live. Within our body's capacity, we should actively engage in sports we enjoy and can handle, improve our physical functions, return to normal life as soon as possible, leave this illness behind, and welcome a brighter tomorrow together.
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Patient Stories | Click text to jump directly
Notes from a Middle-Aged Man in Beijing Fighting Advanced Colon Cancer | Panda Star's Anti-Cancer Magic | A Ming: Colon Cancer with Liver & Lung Metastasis, Two Years Accompanying My Mom's Treatment | Qingcao: Sharing Treatment for Colon Cancer with Liver Metastasis | Deep Sibling Bond: 4 Years of Treatment for Colon Cancer with Liver Metastasis | Xiao Li: A Patient's Anti-Cancer Account | Sister Xiuxiu: Treatment Journey for Colon Cancer with Liver & Ovarian Metastasis | Brother Guo: Tenacious Treatment Journey for Colon Cancer with Peritoneal Metastasis | Nao Nao: Self-Rescue Journey After Recurrence of Colon Cancer at 27 | Sister Tudou: 7-Year Anti-Cancer Journey for Colon Cancer with Lung & Brain Metastasis | Anti-Cancer Girl Yuanyuan: Living On with a Smile | Jin Xia: 4-Year Treatment Journey for HER2-Positive Gastric Cancer | Grumpy Grandpa's Fight Against Gastric Cancer | Mickey: Treatment Journey for Advanced Gastric Cancer at 31 | Summary from an Advancing Colon Cancer Patient's Family (Including Care Guide)| Alison: Treatment for HER2-Positive Advanced Colon Cancer | From Stage IV Gastric Cancer to Complete Remission | 78 Liver Metastasis Lesions Are Not a Death Sentence | That Advanced Cancer Patient Who Entered the ICU Due to Infection Is Now Tumor-Free|Panda Group Member Story: Weihua 1 | From Diagnosis to Recurrence|Panda Group Member Story: Yang Yong | As Heaven's Movement is Ever Vigorous, So a Gentleman Should Constantly Strive for Self-Improvement|The Cruel Truth Behind Treatment Value: Why Some Patients Are Not Advised to Seek Treatment in Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou|Anti-Cancer Blogger Fengzi Passes Away: Who Will Care for Young Patients Fighting Cancer Alone? | Old Chen: What It's Like to Join a CAR-T Clinical Trial, Over 3 Years with Colon Cancer Liver & Lung Metastasis, Anti-Cancer Veteran|Sister Yangguang: Life Should Not Lose Its Color Because of Illness
Doctor-Patient Communication | Click text to jump directly
Shen Lin, Peking University Cancer Hospital:Advances in Colon Cancer Immunotherapy 2023 |Step-by-Step Guide for Colon & Gastric Cancer Patients on How to Seek Medical Care
Xing Baocai, Peking University Cancer Hospital:Doctor-Patient Communication on Colon Cancer Liver Metastasis
Chen Gong, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center:Can Surgery Be Performed Immediately After Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis? | On Surgery for Colorectal Peritoneal Metastasis | On Treatment Strategies for Colorectal Liver & Lung Metastasis | Maintenance Therapy and Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Colon Cancer | Patient Group Case Analysis Q&A (Part 1)| Patient Group Case Analysis Q&A (Part 2)
Cai Guoxiang, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center:Record of Patient Group Communication & Q&A
Wang Fenghua, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center:Record of Patient Group Communication
Xiao Jian, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University:Chemotherapy, Targeted Therapy, and Immunotherapy for Advanced Gastric Cancer
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