Unbearable Stomach Aches Led Me to a Stage 4 Colon Cancer Diagnosis

For months, I endured sharp abdominal pains that felt like endless stabbing.

Initially, I chalked the discomfort up to a variety of likely causes—perhaps a viral infection, adjusting to dorm cuisine, or even the consequences of being hit too many times on the field.

As a 19-year-old freshman playing running back for West Virginia Wesleyan College, I expected occasional aches from intense training and academics, but this pain simply refused to let up.

This baffling, persistent pain lingered for over half a year, striking repeatedly throughout my day. Changing my diet or relying on antacids did nothing. The agony was so intense it reduced my meals essentially to chocolate milk and diced fruit.

I noticed my physique thinning but assumed it was the result of rigorous athletic training—a typical occurrence during the sports season.

However, as spring arrived and I turned 20, I recognized the troubling reality of my weight reduction. A light-hearted check on the scale with friends revealed a drastic 30-pound weight loss—an observation that prompted my father to insist on a doctor’s visit the following day.

After several examinations, internal bleeding was identified, resulting in a hospital transfer for more investigative procedures, including a colonoscopy, where a blockage hindered the endoscopic camera due to tumors, some as massive as pineapples, obstructing the path.

Facing an aggressive, late-stage cancer diagnosis at a young age was shocking and unforeseen, especially when leading a seemingly healthy, active lifestyle.

Yet, I found camaraderie in realizing a growing number of young adults were facing unexpected late-stage cancers, defying conventional age assumptions.

Cancer stripped my autonomy. Hospital routines, extensive surgeries, and temporary reliance on a colostomy bag were deeply isolating.

Post-surgery, rudimentary acts such as standing or toilet usage demanded relearning through physical therapy, all the while enduring chemotherapy’s exhausting side effects, including hair loss.

Despite relentless treatments, cancer persisted, necessitating further invasive surgeries and trialing a different chemotherapy, yet with negligible success. Frustration mounted as solutions eluded my oncologists, seemingly turning me into an experiment.

Encouraged by my coaches, I sought a second medical perspective in another state, leading to a diagnosis of Lynch syndrome—an inherited condition exacerbating cancer risks.

With accurate diagnosis, treatment shifted favorably towards immunotherapy, engaging the immune system against cancer, sparing me from debilitating chemotherapy and providing remarkable improvements in day-to-day wellness.

Doctors halted my immunotherapy by mid-2024, leaving me cancer-free. Robust, regular scans remain essential, given the elevated lifelong cancer risk linked to genetic mutations.

Amid treatments, college offered normalcy, motivating me towards timely graduation despite my athlete status being compromised. Although breaks for recovery were advised, staying engaged with studies was crucial for mental well-being.

Physical activity, even alongside chemotherapy sessions, remained pivotal for recuperation, mitigating side effects through consistent movement.

Returning to football in my senior year with a health clearance felt rewarding but came with challenges. Treatment-related neuropathy left an impact, particularly through heightened sensitivity to cold, complicating tasks and athletic performance.

Ultimately, I retired from the sport I cherished but did so on terms of my choosing, having relished one last season.

Now, fitness remains a staple, albeit off the competitive field. I embrace personal training, drawing from my journey to inspire and rebuild.

An evolved approach to eating accompanies my lifestyle change, minimizing processed foods rich in additives visible in disconcerting, undigested forms post-surgery.

I opt for nutrient-focused nutrition, featuring lean proteins and greens, along with restrained red meat consumption to bolster iron.

Sharing my story aims to provide solace and support to fellow cancer fighters, alongside initiating community efforts to enhance patient comfort through thoughtful donations.

Understanding the familial strain involved, it is vital to acknowledge and support one another amidst challenging medical journeys.