Traci Weber-Retherford, a Valparaiso resident now in remission from colon cancer, stresses the critical importance of routine medical checkups. Her own cancer diagnosis was made during a regular appointment, underscoring her message to the community regarding proactive health management.
When doctors initially suspected cancer, Weber-Retherford experienced a mix of disbelief and concern. She noted thinking it was likely a false positive but acted swiftly, immediately undergoing a colonoscopy to confirm the preliminary findings. This immediate action was a pivotal step in her journey toward diagnosis.
Upon receiving the definitive confirmation from the colonoscopy that she had cancer, Weber-Retherford recounted breaking down into tears. Her immediate thoughts were a cascade of questions regarding the path forward: “What do I do? Where do I go? How do we start this? What does the medical team know? What’s the next step?” These inquiries reflect the shock and uncertainty that often accompany such a diagnosis.
Throughout her diagnosis and the subsequent treatment process, Weber-Retherford maintained unwavering confidence in her medical team. She described the care at Northwest Cancer Center as wonderful, noting that her primary doctor responded with urgency. This doctor promptly ordered a series of blood tests and other necessary evaluations through the center, all completed within a two-week timeframe. This expedited diagnostic period allowed her to proceed directly to surgery without significant delay.
The additional diagnostic tests included an MRI and a scope. These procedures were crucial for pinpointing the tumor's exact location and determining if it was positioned high enough in the colon for surgical removal, or if radiation therapy would be necessary. Ultimately, the medical team concluded that the tumor was operable.
Within four weeks of the operability determination, Weber-Retherford underwent surgery. The procedure successfully removed the tumor, and reconstructive surgery was performed. During this operation, 30 lymph nodes were also excised. The subsequent analysis of these lymph nodes revealed cancer cells in one of them, which immediately escalated her diagnosis from a Stage One to a Stage Three.
Following the discovery of cancer in her lymph nodes, Weber-Retherford was scheduled for a comprehensive series of chemotherapy treatments. These treatments commenced in January 2025 and concluded in July 2025, marking a significant phase in her recovery.
Now, Weber-Retherford has reached her one-year mark of showing no signs of cancer. However, she remains vigilant, aware that she must continue monitoring her health for five years to be officially considered out of remission. She currently undergoes cancer checks every three months, a schedule that profoundly impacts her daily life. She stated, “I live my life in three-month windows,” reflecting the anxiety of potential recurrence. After two years, the frequency of her cancer scans will extend to every six months, a prospect she acknowledges will likely increase her nervousness.
Throughout her demanding battle with cancer, Weber-Retherford emphasized the robust support she received. Her family, friends, and even her workplace provided continuous encouragement, which she credits as essential. She strongly advocates for personal agency in health matters, asserting, "You have to be your own advocate." She advises individuals to actively fight for their health and to cultivate strong support networks.
Weber-Retherford also extends her advocacy beyond personal health, encouraging community members to look out for one another. She stated the importance of being “advocates for one another and each others’ health.” Despite the ongoing regimen of routine cancer scans and the inherent concerns about recurrence, she maintains a positive outlook. Today, her focus remains squarely on healing and achieving total health.
