My Journey with Colon Cancer: Ignoring the Symptoms and Facing the Diagnosis

🚩Ignoring symptoms of colon cancer can lead to a delayed diagnosis and more advanced stages of the disease.

🩺Seeking medical advice and getting appropriate tests, like a colonoscopy, is crucial for early detection and treatment of colon cancer.

💔Dealing with a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming and emotionally challenging.

💪Advocating for your own health and asking questions is essential in the journey of cancer diagnosis and treatment.

❤️Support from loved ones and medical professionals is vital during the cancer journey.

What were the early symptoms you experienced?

—I initially had mild IBS symptoms, like a continuously gurgling stomach, and later noticed blood in my stool.

Were you initially misdiagnosed by healthcare professionals?

—Yes, I was told that it was probably just hemorrhoids or a fissure. It took months to get an accurate diagnosis.

How did you cope with anxiety and panic attacks during this time?

—Dealing with anxiety and panic attacks was new to me, but I sought support from loved ones and eventually received a referral for psychological intervention.

What were the next steps after the diagnosis?

—I was referred to a surgeon for further evaluation, and depending on the extent of the cancer, the treatment plan would involve surgery and potentially chemotherapy.

What advice would you give to others experiencing similar symptoms?

—Listen to your body and trust your instincts. Don't be afraid to advocate for your health. Seek medical advice and get the necessary tests to rule out or detect any potential health issues.

00:00The journey with colon cancer started with mild IBS symptoms like a gurgling stomach.

01:59A visit to an urgent care facility resulted in an initial misdiagnosis of hemorrhoids.

04:29After months of persistent symptoms, a colonoscopy revealed a large tumor in the sigmoid colon.

06:31The anxiety and panic attacks during the diagnostic process were challenging to cope with.

07:58The official diagnosis confirmed the presence of cancer in the colon.

09:59Further consultations with a surgeon and potential treatment plans were discussed.

09:52The importance of listening to your body and advocating for your health cannot be emphasized enough.

09:41Support from loved ones and medical professionals plays a crucial role in the cancer journey.