Shaedra Byrd's life changed dramatically when she lost 100 pounds seemingly overnight. At 38 years old and juggling two children, she attributed her weight loss to her busy lifestyle, blissfully unaware of the health crisis brewing beneath the surface.

As her friends and family showered her with compliments about her new figure, Byrd felt confident and continued her routine. "I thought maybe I’m just doing something right—being more active with the kids," she recalled.

But in February 2022, her joy turned to concern as she began experiencing severe abdominal pain. Hoping to alleviate her discomfort, she shifted to lighter foods and meticulously recorded her meals, but the pain persisted even when she wasn't eating. Her bowel habits became alarming—she experienced constant urgency without relief.

In a shocking revelation, Byrd weighed herself to discover she had plummeted from 270 pounds to 198 pounds, all without trying. Desperate to uncover the reason behind her alarming symptoms, she visited her primary care doctor in May 2022, only to leave with inconclusive results.

Frustrated and worried, she was referred to a gastroenterologist who immediately probed into her family's medical history of colon cancer. Byrd uneasily shared that her uncle had succumbed to the disease years earlier. Following an urgent colonoscopy scheduled for July, her worst fears were confirmed.

Waking from the procedure, she was met with her doctor's grim expression. "I was really, really sick," he explained, revealing a sizable rectal mass. Further tests showed her tumor was about the size of a golf ball, marking her diagnosis as stage 3 colon cancer.

Faced with the terrifying implications of cancer at her young age, Byrd's thoughts instantly turned to her children and husband. "What if God took me right now?" she thought, filled with dread for the life that lay ahead.

After undergoing surgery to remove the bulk of the tumor, Byrd was thrown into the whirlwind of chemotherapy in October 2022. The treatment drastically decreased her weight to around 140 pounds, leaving her exhausted and altering her taste perceptions.

Even after completing chemotherapy and radiation treatments, and undergoing another surgery in March 2023, the relentless pain persisted, a constant reminder of what she had fought to overcome.

Despite being declared cancer-free, Byrd continues to battle residual symptoms, experiencing ongoing abdominal pain and frequent urges to use the restroom. Nevertheless, she remains grateful for the support of her family and the strength she found within herself.

Now, as an advocate for early detection, Byrd shares her story to encourage others to listen to their bodies. The American Cancer Society recommends that average-risk adults begin colon cancer screenings at 45, but for those with a family history, testing should start even earlier.

Her powerful message resonates: "If you have a family member with colon cancer, speak up at your doctor's office. I’m glad I didn’t wait; cancer is unpredictable. We only have one life to live, and I want to encourage everyone to advocate for their health."