Hey Nat92, I'm assuming the 92 stands for 1992? That makes you 21 or 22 right??

Regardless, I have cancer too. Lymphoma. I am 24.

I know it's scary, and you shouldn't be embarrassed. Cancer doesn't discriminate based on age or even health, nor does it define you. It happens to the healthiest, kindest, youngest of people every single day. It is absolutely unnecessary to go through this alone, because you are not!

Forums have been a great comfort to me, I go to a forum specifically for lymphoma and the people on there have the knowledge, insight and experience to know what I am going through and help me understand and cope with what's happening. I go to them with chemo side-effects that worry me, or when I'm scared about an upcoming surgery/biopsy/scan. I ask them about medical terminology and for advice. They have/are going through exactly what I am. Remember not all cancers, chemos or treatments are the same, so perhaps you could look for a colon cancer forum? It's reassuring for me to know I have these people I can go to.

And since your family is going to find out soon anyway, I think you should tell them ASAP. You are putting your body through unnecessary stress by keeping this huge terrifying secret, and that's the last thing your body needs right now. What difference would it make whether they find out now instead of later? Except that you won't be burned with fearing about having to tell them what's going on with you... You could be surprised with how much they'll help. It pulled my family closer, even my sister who hates me pulled through for me. I'll advise you to just do it, blurt it out and get it off of your chest. You're putting off the inevitable at the cost of your health.

As others have mentioned, there are support groups. Ask your hospital/oncology centre, they'll have psychologists or social workers that'll help or point you in the right direction.

There is also an American charity, specifically for young adults with cancer, called Stupid Cancer. They have a forum too, but i don't think it is that active, but their Facebook page is always buzzing with people. You can ask them questions too and you'll probably meet someone with colon cancer too, or someone who survived it. They're also working on an app, instapeer, that will connect you with someone your age going through your kind of cancer. They also made a video, that you'll find on YouTube, called I am Stupid Cancer, which I think you should watch immediately. It meant a tremendous amount to me, and made me feel like there are people out there that understand what I am going through.

I know what you're going through is scary, but remember, statistics mean nothing to the individual! There are appendicitis patients that die, and prostate cancer patients that live! And you should never let this get you down, your in for the fight of your life. You have joined an elite club, and I'm sorry you did, and this will change your whole life from now on. Cancer is lonely, but it shouldn't be!! There are so many people out there like you and like me, so why suffer in silence!

And don't worry about the medical lingo, you'll get there. And don't be scared to ask your doctor/s if you don't understand something!! And don't be scared to go for second opinions if you feel uneasy about something, a second opinion saved my life. Remember, even though you have a medical team providing you with the weapons to fight, it is your fight, your body, your responsibility. I keep all my blood results/X-rays/ct-scans/biopsies, etc. in a file, and I study my own case and make sure I know what's going on with me. No one will look after you, like you do, except perhaps a mother.

Don't be scared to ask for help, and you could try and message me or post a question on a forum or Facebook if you're scared or don't understand something. There is always help. And cry if you want to, be angry, scream, get fat, whatever! Do what you must to cope! It is your time now! Take it easy.

You got this, your case sounds good. So screw cancer! Now FIGHT back! We got this!!!