The diagnosis
An ultrasound after abdominal pain revealed a large colon tumour. Further testing identified stage IIIc colon cancer.
A personal story of life after diagnosis
My Cancer
Healing Journey
I go by SteelHere. I am a colon cancer survivor, a husband and a father of two. I share my story of treatment, family, faith and finding a way forward, one day at a time.
About me
A diagnosis became part of my story, not the whole story.
I grew up in Fălticeni, in northern Romania. My wife and our two boys are at the heart of my life. On November 27, 2013, after a period of abdominal pain, an ultrasound revealed a large colon tumour. I was later diagnosed with stage IIIc colon cancer.
I went through major surgery in December 2013 and chemotherapy through 2014. The experience changed the way I thought about time, family and how I wanted to live. I changed my food and daily habits, prayed, meditated and used complementary practices that I personally chose. I stand by the choices I made as part of my story.
For years, through 2018, I felt my approach and routines were flawless. Later, life got in the way: I gained weight again, even while trying to keep stress manageable. In 2020, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. In my understanding of my own health, having part of my pancreas removed and not taking enough care of myself both form part of that chapter.
The milestones of my journey
From the first scan to the life I am living now.
This is my recollection of cancer, treatment, the changes I made and what came afterward.
Surgery
I had major surgery to remove the tumour, my spleen and part of my pancreas. Hospital recovery began one step at a time.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy became part of my life for months. I was frightened, and I kept showing up for treatment and for the people I loved.
A different answer
The areas that had caused concern were later assessed as non-cancerous. I remember relief, gratitude and a renewed sense of possibility.
Changing how I lived
I focused on new routines and felt I was doing everything right. Later, life got in the way and I gained weight again, while trying to keep stress manageable.
Another fight
I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I connect that experience, in my own understanding, with the smaller pancreas after surgery and with how I had cared for myself.
Still here, with love
I live with type 2 diabetes, deep venous disease, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and obesity. I work around twelve hours a day, care for my boys, ages ten and fourteen, and support my ill parents. I am proud to keep showing up without hatred and with love.
Selected medical records
Documents from my medical record.
Three Romanian hospital pages from my cancer diagnosis and surgery in 2013 and my type 2 diabetes diagnosis in 2020. Personal details are blurred in the public copies.
Watch the video to hear more about the personal story behind these records.
“I am proud of how I have lived since diagnosis: more beautifully, without hatred, with love.”
A reflection from my life today
A gentle five-day reflection
Small pauses for difficult days.
These words and simple activities are adapted from my personal reflection notes. Use what feels helpful and leave the rest.
Make room to breathe
“I am safe in this moment. I can let some tension go.” Take one minute for slow breathing, then write down what is on your mind.
Notice your strength
“I have been through a lot and have found solutions.” Take one minute to breathe and name one thing that helped you today.
Choose a pause
“I can choose patience over reaction.” Take a quiet minute, then colour, doodle or write in a journal.
Offer yourself care
“I will treat my body with care. I can take one step toward balance.” Breathe, stretch gently if comfortable, or rest.
Meet today
“I am here today. Today I build for the people I love.” Take a minute to breathe and write one small hope for today.
These reflections are for personal wellbeing and are not therapy or cancer treatment.
The memoir
Read the full story.
My Cancer Healing Journey
Digital memoir · PDF · English edition
A first-person account of diagnosis, hospital care, surgery, chemotherapy, faith, family and the life I am building now.
$20 USD
I’ll verify your payment in PayPal and email the PDF to the buyer address shown in the transaction details within 24–48 hours. No payment proof is needed. Personal memoir; not medical advice.
The SteelHere journal · 2026
Notes from the hospital, the treatment room and the life after.
These are personal reflections drawn from my own records and memories. They are not medical articles or promises about what another person's journey will look like. Each story ends with a link to my memoir.
Peer navigation
You do not have to organize every question alone.
I can offer peer-to-peer support shaped by my experience of diagnosis, hospital care, surgery, chemotherapy and follow-up. This is a listening and practical-organizing service, not a clinical service.
What I can help with
- Organizing appointment notes and questions for your oncology team
- Thinking through practical next steps and finding reputable support resources
- Sharing what I learned from my own experience, while keeping your decisions with you and your clinicians
- Diagnose, interpret scans or lab results, recommend treatment, or replace a qualified clinician or trained patient navigator
For peer-navigation enquiries, please contact me by email or use the form below. I will reply personally to discuss availability and next steps. This service is peer support, not medical advice.
Contact
Let’s talk about what would help.
For questions about peer-navigation support, please email me or send a message using the form. I will reply personally to discuss availability, format and next steps.
contact@cancerhealingjourney.com
Your message is sent through the website to the contact inbox. I will reply personally to discuss availability, format and next steps.
Support the project
Help me keep this story moving.
If you choose to contribute, your support is intended to help with project expenses such as publishing these stories, maintaining the website and preparing accessible editions of the memoir.
Support SteelHere
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A note on care
Every care journey is individual.
This website shares my personal experience of colon cancer and remission. It does not offer medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. My choices about food, supplements, prayer and other complementary practices describe my own experience; they should not be taken as cancer treatment guidance.
Some diets and supplements have not been shown to cure or prevent cancer, and some may affect cancer treatment. Please discuss complementary therapies, supplements and changes to your care with your oncology team. Read the National Cancer Institute's guidance.
For questions about your health or care, speak with your oncology team or another qualified healthcare professional. Your care should be shaped around you.
To every person finding their wayYou are allowed to move at your own pace. There is no one right way to be brave.