In early 2021, I was on a medical roller-coaster ride I never signed up for. The journey began with bouts of severe stomach pains and ended with a life-changing colon cancer diagnosis. If I had to distill the lessons of my journey into one central idea, it would be this: We are our biggest advocates for our health. We must listen to our bodies and trust ourselves to push for answers when things don’t feel right.
The Origin of Pain: A Seemingly Harmless Diagnosis
In March 2021, I was experiencing a series of stomach issues that progressively worsened over the course of a few days. I sought medical help and underwent a CT scan that ruled out appendicitis, kidney stones, and gallstones. Instead, the scan revealed a “heavy fecal load,” in which the prescription was simple: take a laxative and clean me out.
I followed Doctor’s orders and took laxatives to hopefully relieve the pain. It helped, but not completely. Rather than stabbing pain, it became a dull ache that lasted a few weeks. I thought I was in the clear.
The Misdiagnosis: Believing in Expert Opinion
By early July, my symptoms were back with a vengeance. The stomach pains were more intense than before. My sister had endometriosis, and my symptoms mirrored hers, so I contacted her hormone health specialist for help. Without running any tests, he confirmed from his “40 years of experience”: I had endometriosis, or so he said.
Pain is your body’s distress signal. It’s a shout for help when something goes awry. And when it becomes persistent, it warrants immediate attention. Unfortunately, our busy lives often force us to ignore or misinterpret these signals. We chalk it up to stress, poor diet, lack of sleep, or anything but a potentially serious medical condition. That’s what I did too.
I spent nearly two weeks dealing with severe stomach pains, thinking it was endometriosis. I urge you not to downplay your discomfort. If you’re in pain or something doesn’t feel right, seek medical help.
When Things Took a Turn
On the morning of July 10th, my condition deteriorated. I had a fever, and pain medication was no longer offering relief. After vomiting all night, my husband rushed me to the emergency room. A CT scan revealed I had an obstructed bowel. I was admitted immediately, and an NG tube was inserted through my nose into my stomach to clean out the toxins filling my body.
While in the hospital, an MRI showed a large mass in my abdominal area. This led to emergency surgery where the right side of my colon, my right ovary and fallopian tube, a 5 cm tumor, and 40 lymph nodes were removed. Notably, no signs of endometriosis were found.
A few days into my recovery at home, I received the shocking news. The mass that was removed from my body was colon cancer.
The Power of Proactive Health Testing
In the aftermath of my diagnosis, I couldn’t help but wonder if a colonoscopy done back in March, when the pain first occurred, could have made a difference. This led to my realization of the vital importance of proactive health testing.
Prevention is better than cure, but early detection is the next best thing. Had I insisted on more testing, such as a colonoscopy when the pain first started, my journey might have been less harrowing.
Proactive health testing can help detect conditions that may not show symptoms until they’re advanced. It’s crucial to keep up with recommended screenings and not hesitate to ask for additional tests if you have concerning symptoms. Remember, a missed diagnosis can be as dangerous as a misdiagnosis.
Be Your Biggest Advocate
My journey with unexpected colon cancer has taught me the importance of listening to our bodies and advocating for our health. We are the best judge of what feels normal and what doesn’t. We must relentlessly pursue answers if we don’t feel like something is right.
Your health is your responsibility. Doctors, tests, and medicines can aid you, but you’re the one living in your body. You’re the one who feels the pain, notices changes, and lives with the consequences of any health decisions.
I learned this the hard way. I trusted my doctors, followed their advice, and ended up with a life-changing diagnosis that could have been detected sooner. That’s why I now stress the importance of being your own health advocate.
I share my story not for sympathy but for awareness and advocacy. I am a living testament to the importance of trusting your instincts and second opinions and not taking ‘no’ for an answer regarding your health. We are our biggest advocates, and it’s crucial that we listen to our bodies and ensure we get the answers we deserve.
Your body is your temple. Love it, listen to it, and most importantly, protect it. Don’t accept anything less when it comes to your health. Because if you won’t, who will?
The Role of Second Opinions
When I was first diagnosed with endometriosis, I trusted my doctor. After all, he was the expert. But as my condition worsened, I couldn’t help but question his diagnosis. My intuition, it turned out, was right.
Seeking a second opinion is not a sign of mistrust in your doctor. Rather, confirming a diagnosis is crucial, especially when dealing with serious health conditions. Different doctors have different experiences, specialties, and perspectives. A second opinion can offer a fresh perspective and reassurance or even lead to a different diagnosis.
My Ongoing Journey
Life after my colon cancer diagnosis hasn’t been easy, but it’s given me a renewed sense of purpose. I’ve become a staunch advocate for listening to our bodies and proactive health testing.
It’s never easy to stand up and demand more for your health, especially when dealing with painful symptoms. But trust me; the push is worth it. Because in this journey, you’re your best advocate for your health.
Your health, your body, your life. Fight for it like you mean it. Because you’re all, you’ve got at the end of the day. Be brave, strong, and, most importantly, your health hero.
Emotional Impact of a Health Crisis
One aspect of this journey I’ve yet to touch on is the emotional toll it takes. Diagnosing a severe illness such as colon cancer isn’t just a physical battle; it’s a mental and emotional warzone. From the day of my diagnosis, my life was irrevocably changed. Suddenly, my future was uncertain, filled with fear and an overwhelming sense of loss.
It’s important to remember that it’s normal to feel various emotions, from anger to sadness, fear to frustration. These feelings don’t make you weak; they make you human. It’s crucial to acknowledge and address these emotions. Speak to a professional, join a support group, or share your feelings with loved ones. Emotional well-being is just as vital as physical health.
The Role of Support Systems
No one should face a health crisis alone. Whether it’s a supportive spouse or parents, who both stood by me through every test and surgery, or friends, family, and online communities – having a robust support system is invaluable.
These people will stand by your side, offer a listening ear, or lend a helping hand. They provide emotional comfort, practical assistance, and everything in between. Don’t hesitate to lean on them. You don’t have to carry this burden alone.
A Gratitude Attitude
It might seem ridiculous to talk about gratitude when discussing a life-altering diagnosis. But throughout my journey, I discovered the power of gratitude. Amid the storm, I found silver linings. I was grateful for the incredible medical team that ultimately saved my life. A deep appreciation for my supportive family, who never left my side. Through this, I discovered my inner strength, which I didn’t know existed to such an extent until I had to face this crisis.
Shifting our mindset and focusing on gratitude and positivity is essential when battling a life-threatening disease. I know that may seem impossible, but it’s not. It gives you the will and strength to fight, which is sometimes difficult. That’s when you verbally say out loud; I’m stronger than this. I had to do that so many times throughout my battle.
I learned that even in the worst situations, there are elements of grace. Finding and acknowledging these aspects allowed me to stay positive, and this positivity played a crucial role in my healing process.
My Ongoing Journey
Life after my colon cancer diagnosis hasn’t been easy, but it’s given me a renewed sense of purpose. I’ve become a staunch advocate for listening to our bodies and proactive health testing.
It’s never easy to stand up and demand more for your health, especially when dealing with painful symptoms. But trust me; the push is worth it. Because at the end of the day, you’re your best advocate for your health.
Your health, your body, your life. Fight for it like you mean it. You’re all you’ve got. Be brave, strong, and, most importantly, your health hero.
Why I’m Sharing My Story
Why have I chosen to share such a personal, painful experience? The answer is simple: to spread awareness. If my journey can educate, inspire, or motivate even a single person to become an advocate for their health, it’s worth sharing.
I want you to know that you are not alone and that listening to our bodies is crucial to demand answers. More importantly, do not let fear or embarrassment prevent you from seeking help. By sharing my story, I hope to empower others to take charge of their health and, hopefully, avoid the pain and fear I experienced.
Let’s Build a Health-Conscious Community Together
My journey from misdiagnosis to survival is just one story. There are many others out there. I invite you to join me in creating a health-conscious community. Share your stories, your fears, and your victories. Let’s learn from each other, support each other, and advocate for better healthcare together.
At the end of the day, our health is our responsibility. And as a community, we can help each other navigate the complexities of the healthcare world and become empowered patients.
Remember, your voice matters, and your health matters. Stand up for and advocate for it; together, we can make a difference. Because when it comes to our health, there’s no such thing as too much vigilance.
