Michelle's Stage 4 Colon Cancer Story: My Symptoms were Ignored for Years! | The Patient Story 

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I have yet to see a single patient who has not been heavily gaslit by the medical establishment. I just have a question for all these doctors: why on Earth did you decide to become doctors if you have such contempt/low tolerance for people describing their health issues? There are plenty of other professions, you know.

I lost a friend to cancer, misdiagnosed for years, referred for mental, told by her employer that she was lazy because she couldn’t stand long. She was a resilient person, not a hypochondriac.

I know someone who had symptoms in college . Married had her first baby and was so fatigued after the birth she told her Dr and was told she had postpartum depression. She knew she wasn’t experiencing that!,,, She asked for a colonoscopy due to bleeding . Dr wouldn’t order. She finally got a Dr friend to order it and she had colon cancer. As a Survivor had another baby and is still going strong! Young people need to get the help they need. !!!!!!

Omg-Michelle-I’m a retired teacher and I have no clue how you kept teaching through this-you’re a Superstar!!

MY MOM FOUND OUT SHE HAD COLON CANCER AND SHE DIED WITHIN A MONTH. MY SISTER WENT TO ER, WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED HER WITH COLON CANCER, AND SHE DIED WITHIN TWO WEEKS. COLON CANCER IS A KILLER!!!! YOU ARE VERY LUCKY!! I'M CURRENTLY SURVIVING LUNG CANCER THAT WAS CAUGHT REALLY EARLY SINCE IT SHOWED UP IN AN X-RAY FOR SOMETHING ELSE. I WAS LUCKY, SO FAR. GOOD LUCK SISTER, I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!

Okay watching this I’m scheduling an appointment with a GI. My father died of colon cancer at 49. I’ve had a precancerous polyp. I have similar symptoms and they said it’s IBS… I’m an RN and I feel like I’m being blown off. Thank you!

As a person who suffered depression and was on meds, that's the one thing that really angered me. Every problem you have medically the doctors attribute it to your depression or the medications rather than investigating properly! So happy to hear you survived all this.

I had stage 2 Colan cancer in 2010 and had a colasteme bag for 1 year, which was very messy and 1 year later I had it taken off and from there on I had nothing but problems I ended up in the hospital almost for a year and scars al over my stomach and Chemo and after 1 year I was okay for 7 years and then in 2018 my Cancer was back in my Liver and my lungs and now I have to go every Tuesday for Chemo I am 75 years old but I will not give up

My brother recently died of end stage colon cancer, after beiing to hospital, 3 times rejected, losing 20 kg, couldn't eat anymore He was found dead in his hospital bed, after beiing admitted eventually and only diagnosed after he died. 😢

I'm glad that you survived. I lost my mom. She was 49 and died from colon cancer.

I’m so sorry. As a nurse I feel like I owe you an apology for the way the medical community blew you off, that should never happen, I hate the years you suffered and the more extensive treatments you had. Prayers are with you!

Working as a 5th grade teacher through this, holy smokes, incredible strength!

Younger and younger people need this warning....its changing the face of society and changing the medical field

I am always struck by the grace and lack of anger from people who were undiagnosed for years. I think I would be raging! It's very humbling.

I can relate to alot of what you went through. I also for years and years had issues with constipation and severe bloating. I constantly saw doctors who told me to eat more fiber and it was just IBS. I just thought it was just a part of what i had to deal with for the rest of my life. After getting my first colonoscopy and haveing polyps removed,they recommended it be done every yr. The last two yrs doctors thought i could go a couple of years without them, wrong idea. This last year I was having a stomach ache almost everyday. I have always had issue with my stomach so i didn't think much of it. Well this went on for two months and now i was getting worried. Called my doctor and she requested a CT scan. The results came back and she informed me that i had Cancer but at that point it wasnt clear where in my body it was, it seemed to be in my lympth nodes. A petscan was done and it was determined that I had Appendiceal Stage 4. Apparently it's rare to have it in the Appendix. Went through 5 rounds of Chemo. When if was determined that it wasn't doing much they switched me to Immunotherapy which I tell you is like night and day. I went from 5 hrs of chemo every two weeks plus two days extra wearing a chemo pump at home to 30 mins of Immunotherapy every three weeks. I felt normal and was able to go back to work. While on chemo I felt really bad for almost two weeks and when I finally felt somewhat normal it was time for my next round of Chemo. I was so grateful when i stopped having my chemo treatment since I'll be honest, I was ready to give up, it was that bad. I'll have to hand it to those who are able to work after their chemo treatments. It is hell! I'm trying to stay as positive as possible. I'm grateful for my husband who has helped me through this, i'm grateful for my wonderful family, my friends who just happen to be my coworkers and all the people who pray for me, some who i don't even know. I'm grateful for the Oncologist who wouldn't give me a time line because she said that would be all her patients would be thinking about instead of trying to be positive and concentrating on the treatment needed, and most of all I'm grateful to God for each day I have on this Earth. I'm still going through treatment and may still be on it for years to come but thank God I'm still here!

I have watched so many of these stories and the Dr's have basically just ignored the symptoms, its amazing.

I had Colorectal cancer. I always had explosive diarrhea. I now have permanent ostomy. I have metastatic cancer because it came back in 5 years in my liver. Two years ago I had liver ablation. I am 78 so hopefully this will go away completely with treatment.

Really, is it too much for your doctor to order a colonoscopy instead of guessing for months and months? We all need to get doctors who will listen to us when we know our bodies. That, and we need to be our own strong advocate. I am sorry you had to go through this. I’ve been through cancer three times and have learned these lessons.

My brother ❤ had an over 10 year Odyssee with doctors, not getting help in Switzerland. Since he was a professional sports person, young, vegetarian and looked healthy all his heavy symptoms were dismissed. After a Intestinal obstruction he had to fly home from Spain by himself because Rega would not transport him any more due to the high risk. The hospital would give him a scan and send him home not seeing a tennis ball sized tumor in the center of the scan. My brother refused to leave the hospital without treatment, what led to the discovery of his stage 4 colorectal cancer. The gaslighting went on whilst his treatment so much so that he did not want to get a second opinion in fear of loosing his treatment. After a long and painful journey through 1.5 years of chemo therapy and operations on his colon, liver and lungs he died under excruciating pain since the hospital would not provide him palliative medication at home and he was not willing to die in the hospital. I hope doctors who read Marcos story will remember it before dismissing their next patient with symptoms. Life is never the same!😢

Michelle, I will pray for you! I’m busker in the United States. Recently, I was diagnosed with terminal cancer in January 2023 but I had a greatest miracle in my life. All tumor was gone completely in 20days by the grace of God. I feel like having a second life. IT IS THE REASON WHY I STARTED RU-vid. I‘m trying to encourage and pray for cancer patients and families who are extreme suffering and pain by difficult circumstances. God is alive and do not afraid of cancer. We will get the miracle in Christ. I will pray for you!

This woman is incredibly strong. Her positive outlook and still teaching during chemo is amazing. I am so glad she is doing better and loved hearing her powerful story.

Please read the comment under Martina McBride's ' In My Daughter's Eyes' video: My mom recorded a cover of this song for me and it took years before I could listen to it. Then it took a long time for me to be able to listen without crying. She got H1N1 back in 2009 when there was a huge break out of it. She was hospitalized and pit in the ICU 6 weeks before my 6th birthday and my little sister was only 1 1/2 at the time. The doctors told my dad and my grandparents to start preparing for her funeral because they didn’t think she was going to make it. So we prayed. Then not long after that on my birthday (September 27) she slipped into a coma. So we continued to pray and a few days later our prayers were answered as she began to get better. About a week or two after that she was home and on the mend. It was a true miracle and I don’t have a doubt in my mind that God had heard our desperate cries and answered them. I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have her today. Praise the Lord.

9 times out of 10 its is all the insurance that says no. And dictates to doctors what can and cannot do. We have got to stand up for this

Hi .. after googling Colon Cancer a few days ago, I guess google/ RU-vid then had me in that search category, and these Patient Stories popped up. I’m a very young 56, retired from the navy and living an isolated life near a beach in Thailand. I have been having intermittent problems.. and I have a sneaky and dreaded feeling that it is colon cancer. I won’t go on and on with symptoms and on / off problems.. except to say that the stomach discomfort builds, builds and builds.. until it rises to my lower chest (behind the solar plexus) .. and saying “Pain or discomfort” is a HUGE huge understatement. Having happened maybe 9 times over 5 years.. the last time just 2 days ago.. I am going to a local Thailand hospital tomorrow for a colon cancer test. Writing here feels like my first dear diary post.. I hope beyond hope that I’m wrong.. but I feel almost certain that it will be colon cancer. If so, I’ll fly back to the USA in 8 weeks (Reno Nevada) and get into the VA hospital asap. Thanks for your testimonial. .. Curtis.. a thousand miles from nowhere.. and all alone.

Wow tough lady! Can’t believe she worked through all her chemo! Bless her. I hope she lives a long happy life❤

America sounds crazy to me. Working while getting chemo, why? Driving yourself to hospital in such a pain, why? Your school being mad you took sick leave, why and wtf?

I cannot imagine managing my students, grading and doing lesson plans while going through these treatments. You are a rock star and a blessing. May God be with you and bring you to remission. I pray peace and comfort through Jesus be given to you.

What a genuine and endearing woman. I wish her long life. And that adorable doggie, too!

I'm so sorry you had to go through this. As a celiac, this is a big fear of mine. The medical gaslighting I believe women go through, myself included, is just amazing. As a nurse, I hear these stories all the time, and something needs to change. Best of luck with your health for the future.

Going through this right now, in Houston Tx, I am beside myself how awful I’ve been treated by medical professionals just pushing you off to the next dr, the next dr….meanwhile your suffering with a very pressing and urgent medical issue…sad just sad all the way around…

I agree with Jennifer. I was at my best friends side when she had stage 4. She had surgery and chemo. She was in remmision for a year and it came back. It went to her liver. She had 100's of tumers that attatched to her colon. She did chemo again. The chemo did not work at all. She then went to md anderson hospital and was in a trial. Not long into the trial and after scans they told her itwas not working. She then went on hospice and lasted a couple of months. Stage 4. Wishing a long remmision for this teacher.

Bless your heart ❤️. I'm a colon cancer survivor as well and i was Misdiagnosed at first and told that i just had a stool blockage. I found out later that I had stage 3 colon cancer. As far as i know I'm cancer free, but still have a bit of a bloated belly. I will be going back to the doctors soon.

This really says something about our general environment the last few decades...we've allowed so many weird chemicals in our foods, water. air....no wonder cancer is on the rise. SO glad you made it! 💗

Thank you for sharing your story. My sister died from colorectal cancer at 50. She started at stage 3 advanced to 4. I believe now her surgeon was not the best. She was diagnosed at 47 died at 50.

After having every single symptom of this including blood I am so grateful my colonoscopy came back normal but im so glad I did not ignore my symptoms cause the anxiety was taking over me. I pray that anybody going through this has an easy and successful recovery 🙏 ❤

Always a good idea to get opinions from diferent doctors even if you have to travel to another country. Can literally save your life. 10 yrs ago my friend was given 6 months to live she traveled to Mexico got surgery and has lived 10 more years! Glory to God. 🙏. Not easy she's still treating. But it's worth it!

I’ve suffered with constipation for years. I had a colonoscopy 3 years ago with two polyps showing but they were not cancerous. I also had an endoscopy at that time which came back normal. Fast-forward three years later to now. I’ve been having once in a while, burping and brief vague stomach discomfort on and off for a year. Just last week, I had nausea, vomiting, stomach ache, pressure in the stomach after eating and fatigue. This week I had a CT scan of the abdomen with contrast and the only thing it showed was mild fatty liver. I got an occult stool test which showed positive for blood. My lipase is elevated from the blood test 2 days ago. I took another blood test today and it elevated more. I did have an ultrasound done on the gallbladder and that came back normal . I just don’t feel well. One more thing ; my mother and grandmother both died of stomach cancer. Needless to say, I’m very, very worried. I wish you well and healthy❤

What a nice pic of her terrific smile and the happy dog, too.

I admire your courage and determination. I have received chemo for the past thirteen months and when I see anyone new at the Cancer Center, I tell them that whatever diagnosis you were given, to stay positive and keep your faith cause doctors cannot predict how you'll respond to treatment and there's always clinical trial medicine. Always stay hopeful.

I had uterine serous cancer (USC). It is rare and aggressive, so there is little research on it. I was 3C when it was diagnosed. I had chemo, targeted radiation and brachy therapy. I, like you, felt like now there wasn't anything between me and "it". At 30 months out, I've finally learned to just be grateful for every day.

Yes MD Anderson is where I go also! I am so glad to hear you chose this hospital. They are the best in the world. Prayers for strength and healing.

This story genuinely makes me cry. Doctors are not getting it right. I have read many articles regarding the rise in colon cancer in younger people. Her symptoms were conspicuous for colon cancer (other conditions as well) but why overlook the possibility? Don’t blood tests reveal abnormalities? This is tragic.

this woman is such a fighter and a beautiful soul. I'm glad she's on the mend.

My son suffers from constipation since he was young !! Thanks to you I’m going to take to gastro dr

Thank you for sharing. I am 4 months post op with a permanent colostomy bag (rectum and anus were removed). It's an adjustment and I am currently NED and just very grateful to be alive. I had constipation and bloating for a long time. I had hemorrhoids too so when I saw some blood I wasn't overly alarmed. One day the toilet was full of blood. That got my doctor's attention. I was stage 2 but the tumor was too near my sphincter muscle for a resection. Chemo and chemoradiation did shrink the tumor but not enough. I am adapting fairly well and won't need follow-up scans for 6 months to a year. Glad you are doing well and again, thank you for sharing.

I personally heard that they where taking my case to tumor board; I said oh well I am going to be there for my case. They said no you can’t i once again said I am coming to my case period. I think they thought I would go and not understand what they where saying so they let me. I went and my review took an hour because I had so much to say including information they didn’t know about. After they thanked me and said we think we should have the patient in the review. Maybe I made a small change in at least my cancer center’s procedures.

My husband has had bloating for years, but won't get checked out. It's very scary.

So sorry you had to go through this. I’m dumbfounded how many young people are dealing with this and all the other cancers you usually see in much older people. Life is just unfair , hence why I get my scans , tests done regularly. Good luck for your future. I really hope all goes well.

Thank you for sharing your story! I was going to cancel my colonoscopy but now thanks to you, I’m keeping my appointment.

What is going in?! So many young people are dying of horrible cancers! Our food source is so full of chemicals, I wonder if that’s causing this!

Michelle, you are a BADASS! 💖 I worked while on chemo too. As tired as I was, it helped me mentally. Best wishes and thanks for sharing🙏🌻🦋

This beautiful lady was gaslighted by her doctors when they did not take any of her big symphtons serious at all.

My brother passed away from stage 4 colon cancer after 3 years of battling cancer

Told I had ibs and depressed for years .15 years later after a reaction to a vaccine find out I have had coeliacs and now gluten ataxia . Gluten free just over a year now and my health has improved dramatically. My iron levels were 6 and suffered so badly with migraine I lost my job ,in and out of hospital with stomach pains which a,way led me back to gynae as I had a long history of gynae surgery . The worst was thinking they must be right and I was mad after all . Fast forward a year I have just landed a full time job again ,in 2022 never thought I would work again ! I’m lucky to have a Neurologist Professor where I live who picked it up after a brain scan and reviewing all my symptoms .I owe Professor Hadjivassiliou my life Doctors need to think outside the box at times

There are at home test kit for like $25 for colon, diverticulitis, colitis and colon polyps that can be of help to our minds if your age doesn’t grant a recommended test from your doctor.

What is CAUSING THIS EPIDEMIC of ALL these people in large quantities getting this Cancer?

MD Anderson or Sloan Kettering. These two institutions are world renowned they create miracles for lots of people 💕

I had a full physical in Thailand and was diagnosed with stage one colorectal cancer. If people can afford it, go out of country for a full physical and get a health report. I took my report to Seattle Care Cancer Institute and got treatment.

Ty for sharing. I’m so glad you’re healed.

I am so happy you made it through! ❤️

THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR STORY.

I’m sorry that you weren’t given an ostomy nurse to help guide you through that change.

thank-you so much Michelle i learned a lot from this, I so hope you are feeling your best. The entire "The Patient Story" features i am sure help many people. well done.

She did everything right, she kept going back to the doctor. The doctors were incompetent to keep dismissing her with all the hallmark symptoms.

Thanks for sharing-can’t believe you worked through it!!!❤

Michelle ❤ thank you so much for sharing so openly. Wow, you are strong and full of life! ❤️‍🔥🙏🏼

Thank you for telling us how you felt. God bless.

Thank you Michelle for your bravery of sharing your story

Thank you so much for sharing your story!

Really proud of the courage and grit you have shown.

I have said this before- but I truly feel that colon cancer is NOT silent at all! Our bodies are warning us up to that point in stages when people eat plant based foods, processed or whole (raw or cooked) - doesn’t matter which type you digest- does the same to your colon! These are stages that our colon warns us that we are damaging it before we hit colon cancer: Stage 1: IBS symptoms- (Cramping, gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, extended bellies!) Stage 2 if you ignore stage one: Diverticulitis, diverticulosis, crones, celiac, ulcers, polyps, leaky gut, lactose, and so on. Stage 3: colon cancer! We need to be listening to our bodies! Doctors say it’s normal to have IBS- but NO it is not! It’s not normal at all- it is a warning that if we ignore, our guts will get damaged over time! There is no silence with colon cancer- your body has done so much to warn you but you just didn’t listen! Remove plants from your diet and go the human ancestral way of eating- the carnivore lifestyle! It is not a fad- it’s is the human way of eating!

Thank you for sharing your story.

Thank you Michelle for sharing!

idk how i came across this video. blessings to you!!! and glad u ultimately advocated for yourself n had a listening ear to a specialist who cared.

Thank you for sharing your story, Michelle. Wishing you the best!

Thank you for sharing your story. ❤ I am happy you are still here to share it.

Thank you so much for sharing your story. Iamdealing w issues now. You were smart to insist on seeing a colon cancer specialist!

Thank you for sharing your story. Sending you love ✨🙏✨

Love your videos Ben! Have a great day.

She is so strong to going through cancer treatment and working. Many blessings to her.

You are so beautiful and strong. Thank you for having the COURAGE to share your story. You’re heroic!

Thank you for sharing. I am glad you exercised and had a good career …so hard going through the ER alone…sorry that happened. Curious what “Bad constipation” is specifically. “Really bloated”?

Shirley here. My mom had ovarian cancer and went to the colon. She only had 2 years and about 4 surgeries.

Thank you for sharing. Helpful to all of us

Wow what a warrior you're awesome. That you could find Drs you could trust also amazing

Wow so thankful for this , it's definitely motivated me to get on top of my health as I have been going thru a lot of the same symptoms . Thank you & god bless !

I’ve never heard that doctor’s explanation of how the cancer could start. It makes sense. That’s quite scary. It suggests that people on any kind of medication causing bloating and constipation should get a colonoscopy much earlier and more often than the current guidelines. Until the guidelines are changed people will end up doing battle with their insurance companies.

Thanks for the information.

I can't believe you had to work through all that! It's sad the school system heath care couldn't allow you to have time off to deal with this head on!!! UNREAL!

I’m so glad you advocated for yourself …..and that yousredoing well…hope you still have your furry to bring you comfort…I know my dogs help me immensely 😍

Bellísima Your attitude , optimism and faith healed you Sending you a big hug beautiful sis 🩷💫🌈💫 Always advocate for yourself !

Ma'am thank you for sharing your story, you are very brave. I am fed up of hearing doctors over prescribing. A tablet for everything rather than asking the real reason for constipation. I am sorry you were fobbed off. Bless you.

Thank you so much for sharing your story. I have some similar symptoms. I have no idea how you went to work. I’m curious why you did not Go on short term or even long-term disability. You are the strongest woman in the world to have taught 28 high energy children, While going through chemo. You are nothing short of a beautiful super star. 🌟🌟🌟 People who have not been sick do not understand how important it is to have an empathetic Dr I’m glad you found a great team. God bless.

Thank you for sharing your story. God Bless you.

I’m so terrified of getting colon cancer, I have severe health anxiety and I’ve struggled with constipation for as long as I can remember, and I can’t tell if I’ve been having more gas and bloating lately or if I’m just more aware of it because of my anxiety hyperfocusing on it. I’m only 28 but hearing these stories of younger people getting it is making me even more paranoid 😭

I had been on antidepressants for over 35 year and never had anything like this. Don’t let Drs blow you off. Any symptoms that stay get checked out. I’m so sad and sorry this happened to you

You are so strong and positive after years of being let down, and your face lights up with a beautiful smile, God bless you beautiful young lady ❤ ❤ ❤❤❤

Thank you so much for sharing. God Bless you all.❤

What an amazing woman! How do you work during all that?!! Her great team of doctors, her intelligence to get a specialist who sees CRC severe cases daily, her faith, her love of her kids at school… Incredible! I’d love to know what her diet became and which supplements she took!