My name is Tara Guigear and I was diagnosed with colon cancer in May 2023. I was told stage 3 in May but was determined after surgery in October it was stage 4 colon cancer. From June 2023 until September I underwent 7 rounds of chemotherapy with no improvement or shrinkage of my tumor. During this time I applied for disability since the chemo and cancer were making it unable to work, but I was denied. We learned in July after my genetic testing came back that I am missing a strand of DNA that tells my body to fight cancer cells. This strand of DNA disappeared at some point in my life possibly due to environmental changes or something in the food. In September I met with U of M colorectal team and decided I would be placed on immunotherapy for a year and end the chemotherapy. In October I underwent emergency surgery to remove the tumor due to blockage.The surgeon also removed some lymph nodes and part of my liver due to the spread of cancer. I applied once again after surgery for disability benefits with a letter from my oncologist stating I need to be off work until September 2025 once my cancer treatment is done due to the side effects, but I was denied a second time. I plan to go back teaching once my treatment is done and the side effects have worn off!