TULSA - It was a week after her daughter's wedding in 2011, Amy Barger got a routine colonoscopy and was stunned at what doctors found.
“I pulled up my bootstraps and was ready to get after it so I could enjoy grandchildren one day."
After less than a year as a scheduler at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Southwestern Regional Medical Center she was diagnosed with stage three colon cancer.
“You would never have recognized other than her physical appearance that she was going through anything," said Vice President of Oncology Patient Services Tammi Holden.
Amy's husband was also sick so she still had to work, only missing a day and a half her entire diagnosis.
“God knew I was going to get cancer, and he knew exactly where I needed to work," Amy said.
She said it gave her a new outlook on life, and she's actually grateful for her experience.
She no longer takes the little things for granted, like having hair.
"I have naturally frizzy hair and I never complain about my hair whether it’s bad hair day or not.”
Now, almost six years later, she's cancer-free and having the time of her life with the grandchildren she prayed for.
“My cancer journey turned out to be a victorious journey that there was a rainbow at the end of my storm and I give all the praise and glory to Him.”
Now, at the door of the building the proof; Her name hangs proudly on the survivor's wall.
“You look at life so differently. Everyday is a gift ready to be opened every morning," she said. “It’s like you’ve climbed the mountain and the view at the top is spectacular."
Amy said if her story can inspire just one person to go get their routine colonoscopy it was all worth it, because it truly saved her life.
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