Let’s talk about something that no one really wants to talk about—but far too many people are facing: colorectal cancer. In this candid and compassionate episode, I’m sharing my personal journey and walking you through what this diagnosis actually means—from symptoms to testing, treatment, and ultimately, remission.

I was 37 years old, healthy, active, and had no family history of colorectal cancer. What started as something minor—a little bleeding I blamed on postpartum hemorrhoids—turned out to be Stage 3 colorectal cancer. And it turned my entire world upside down.

In this episode, we cover:

• What colorectal cancer is and how it starts
• The early symptoms that you should never ignore
• What the testing process and colonoscopy actually look like
• How treatment plans are formed, including surgery, chemo, and more
• My real story—what I went through, what I learned, and where God showed up
• Biblical encouragement and how scripture carried me through the fire
• Practical advice for staying mentally, emotionally, and physically strong

This episode is for anyone facing a diagnosis, supporting someone who is, or just needing to hear truth and encouragement in a season of unknowns.

Important Statistics You Should Know

• Colorectal cancer rates in people under 50 have increased by nearly 50% since the 1990s
• It is now the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among people under 50 in the U.S.
• About 20% of new colorectal cancer cases are diagnosed in individuals under 55
• Younger patients are more likely to be diagnosed at advanced stages due to delayed detection
• Early detection saves lives—the five-year survival rate is 91% when caught early
• The recommended screening age has been lowered from 50 to 45

The Personal Side of the Journey

I break down everything you might face if you’re walking through colorectal cancer—from what it actually feels like to hear the words “you have cancer” to the awkward realities of testing and procedures. I also talk about how I wore an ostomy bag, endured surgery, and eventually got the news that I was in remission.

None of this was easy. But with my faith and the promises of God as my foundation, I found strength, even in the hardest moments.

Here are a few of the scriptures that held me together:

• Isaiah 41:10 – “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
• 2 Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”
• Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him.”

Steps You Can Take Now

• Advocate for yourself—if something feels off, speak up
• Get screened as soon as you're eligible
• Move your body and nourish it well
• Find a supportive community of people who will walk with you
• Ground yourself in truth through worship, prayer, and scripture
• Remember that it’s okay to laugh and cry in the same breath—this is hard, and you don’t have to pretend it’s not

Final Encouragement

You are not your diagnosis.

You are not defined by your symptoms or your scars.

You are loved, known, and seen by a God who promises to walk with you through every part of your journey.

You don’t have to go through this alone. Whether you are battling cancer, supporting a loved one, or simply feeling overwhelmed by health concerns—this episode was created to encourage you, inform you, and help you feel seen and supported.

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Welcome Back!

Hey friend, welcome back to Thrive Through the Fire! If you’re new here, I’m Alyssa Kilgore—a mom, nurse, Jesus-lover, and someone who knows firsthand what it’s like when life doesn’t go according to plan.

I don’t know about you, but I love a good plan. I have multiple calendars, a planner (or three), and a color-coded system for keeping my life organized. I love knowing what’s coming next and being in control.

And then, life happens. And God says, "That’s cute, but I have something else in mind."

What happens when life completely derails your plans.

How to surrender to God’s will—even when it doesn’t make sense.

Biblical examples of people who had their plans flipped upside down.

My own story and the moment I realized I wasn’t in control.

Practical steps to mentally, emotionally, and spiritually surrender.

Encouragement to trust that God’s plan is always better than ours.

We’re getting real, honest, a little snarky, and a whole lot of faith-filled—because this is not about sugar-coated Christianity. This is about learning to let go and trust God even when it feels impossible.

I thought I had my life figured out.

I was a busy mom of four, balancing work, family, and a never-ending to-do list. And then, at 38 years old, I was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer—out of nowhere.

I went from being the caregiver to the one needing care. From making plans to realizing I wasn’t the one in charge. God was. (Newsflash: He always was.)

That year, my word became “surrender.” And let me tell you—it was both a smack in the face and the most beautiful lesson all at the same time.

Here’s the thing about surrender:

Most of us don’t do it willingly.

No one wakes up and says, "God, I’d love for You to completely turn my world upside down today!"

Usually, we surrender because we have no other choice. And when we think we’re calling the shots, God humbles us real quick.

If you think your life didn’t go as planned, let’s talk about some Bible greats who probably felt the same way.

Mary – The Ultimate "This Wasn’t the Plan" Moment (Luke 1:26-38)

Imagine being a teenage girl, engaged, planning a normal life—and then BAM—an angel shows up and says,

"Oh hey, Mary! You’re going to give birth to the Son of God. Surprise!"

Not exactly part of her wedding vision board.

And yet, her response blows me away:

Luke 1:38 – “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.”

She didn’t argue. She didn’t bargain. She surrendered.

When I was diagnosed with cancer, I did not do that.

I fought. I begged. I cried.

"God, take this away. Please."

And yet Mary’s response? "May your word to me be fulfilled."

That’s a powerful example of surrender.

But if you’re struggling right now, if you’re begging God to take something away, I get it. And God can handle...

Hey friend! Welcome back to Thrive Through the Fire. If this is your first time here, I’m Alyssa Kilgore—a mom, a nurse, a believer, and someone who walked through the fire of a stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis.

Today’s episode is all about the things I wish I had known before my diagnosis. My goal? To help you feel prepared, not afraid.

In this episode, we’re talking about:

The emotional rollercoaster and why it’s okay to not be okay.

The things no one tells you about treatment and recovery.

How to prepare for the awkward, embarrassing, and weird parts of this journey.

How to advocate for yourself as a patient.

How faith and fear collide—and how God walks with us through it.

The health prevention and early detection steps I want you to take NOW.

It’s crazy how one moment can change everything.

One minute, I was a busy mom of four, feeling great, working hard, volunteering at school and church. The next? I had a cancer diagnosis and a permanent spot in a chemo chair.

I thought I had more time. I was 37 years old—I thought I had more time before I had to worry about my health. More time before I had to deal with a diagnosis that flipped my entire life upside down.

But cancer doesn’t wait until you’re ready.

One day, I was running errands, answering endless "Mom, can I have a snack?" questions, and making sure everyone else was taken care of. And the next? I was the one who needed taking care of.

I ignored my symptoms. My doctor dismissed them, too. That’s the problem with colorectal cancer in young adults—it’s easy to overlook.

When I finally saw a specialist and went through all the awkward, uncomfortable, and invasive tests (hello, camera up my butt), the truth came out.

Stage 3 colorectal cancer.

And suddenly? I wasn’t the caregiver. I was the patient. I was the one waiting for biopsy results, trying to make sense of scary medical terms, wondering if my body was about to betray me completely.

If you’ve ever had to wait for medical results, you know the anxiety that comes with it.

A funny story (which, by the way, means it’s totally a God thing—because I don’t believe in coincidences):

Before my diagnosis, I had hired a mindset coach for my business. (Either you think that’s super cool or you’re rolling your eyes—pretending you’re not rolling your eyes, thanks!)

She was amazing—and when I got my diagnosis, she asked if I wanted to pause our sessions.

I decided to keep going because I needed a distraction. Turns out? God had placed her in my life for a reason.

She had also had a cancer diagnosis at a young age, and she told me something I’ll never forget:

"Alyssa, the waiting is the worst part. Waiting for diagnoses, test results, second opinions—that's the hardest part. But once you have a plan, you just do the plan. Left foot, right foot, breathe."

Psalm 62:5 – "Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him."

I wish I had understood how much fear feeds on uncertainty. Looking back, the moments I had the most peace weren’t when I had all the...