Colorectal Cancer: Judy's Survivor Story

What happened, in summary

Judy Perdue is a mother of 3 with a high-stress healthcare career. When she noticed a little blood, loose stools, and some pain, it was easy to think the problem might be hemorrhoids. A colonoscopy changed everything by finding rectal cancer when Judy was 44. She was sent to Duke for treatment, which became almost a year of intensive care. Judy completed 28 radiation treatments, 8 FOLFOX chemotherapy treatments, and surgery that left her with a permanent ostomy bag. The physical side effects were difficult. She describes skin burns from radiation, extreme cold sensitivity during treatment, and lingering neuropathy afterward. Judy’s story does not minimize what treatment can take from a person’s body and daily life. Instead, she uses that difficulty to make a prevention message clearer. She does not want her daughters, or anyone else, to go through the same experience if earlier detection could prevent it. Her survivorship is tied to advocacy: reducing stigma around colorectal symptoms, improving awareness, and making insurance-covered colonoscopy easier to access. Judy’s experience also gives voice to the lasting effects that can remain after active treatment ends, including neuropathy and adjustment to life with an ostomy.