By: Christie Englese, Colon Cancer

Hi! My name is Christie. I’m a mom, a wife, a dental hygienist—and somewhere along the way, I also became a sneaker customizer. My story took a turn in December 2021, when after months of pain and being dismissed by doctors as “too young and too healthy,” I was finally given a colonoscopy. That’s when they found a large tumor in my sigmoid colon. The words stage 4 colon cancer still feel surreal.

I was terrified. But I was also lucky: my husband works at a cancer center, and he immediately knew how to get me the best care. He’s been my rock from the very beginning. In January 2022, I went into surgery thinking it would be quick and done. Instead, I woke up to learn the cancer had spread much further than anyone expected. After healing, I started chemotherapy. Six months later, I heard the words I had been waiting for: No Evidence of Disease (NED).

That summer was one of the best of my life. I traveled, played with my two-year-old daughter, and embraced every ordinary joy I could. But on the way to my best friend’s wedding, the pain came back. Within two months, I was in the hospital again, this time facing a 20 cm tumor on my ovary. What followed has been a roller coaster: another 12 rounds of chemo, two more surgeries, and now, eight more rounds on top of that.

Through it all, I’ve tried to keep living. I keep working, traveling, laughing with friends, and soaking up time with my family. They are the reason I fight. They celebrate every small victory with me and sit with me through the setbacks. Their love gives me strength.

During chemo, I picked up sneaker painting as a hobby, something to distract myself from the hard days. What started as a way to pass the time has turned into pure joy. Creating brings me peace, and seeing people smile when they wear my designs keeps me going. Along the way, I’ve met incredible people and built connections I never would have had otherwise.

I’ve also found power in sharing my story on social media. When someone messages me to say, “I got my colonoscopy because of you,” it means everything. If my journey spares even one person from what I’ve been through, then it has been worth it.

I don’t know what comes next, but I do know this: I’ll keep telling my story, creating art, and fighting with everything I’ve got. Most of all, I hope my journey inspires others to take charge of their health, to ask questions, and to be their own advocate.