Constipation To STAGE 4 CANCER! - Elizabeth | Stage 4 Colon Cancer | The Patient Story

[@marylagrange5584]

Saying "let's cure that" is so special - there is nothing more valuable than a doctor who cares

[@cindypeterson3240]

The importance of a medical professional who offers hope can’t be overstated. In July 2019 I received a diagnosis of DLB non Hodgkin Lymphoma. My oncologist always told me she would cure me and I chose to believe her. I’m coming up on my 5 year NED anniversary.

[@elizabethwachsberg]

💙💙

[@dinavienna]

@@cindypeterson3240 👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@Hana.Behl-Lecter]

Congratulations! Wishing you many many more happy and healthy years 💜

[@shaunpankoski9230]

As a two time breast cancer survivor, I love you. That is all.

[@elizabethwachsberg]

Thank you ❤❤

[@neenaj365]

Same! 🙏🏼

[@cristincarter1]

Our stories are so similar,. I was stage 4, and my signs were pain nausea and vomiting. Thankfully, I have a great oncologist and colorectal surgeon. I Love him. But especially post-cancer. Nobody prepared me for the depression and guilt of surviving. I'm so glad you are still here.

[@ThePatientStory]

@cristicarter1 So glad you found great doctors! So true about the post-cancer part of all this. If you would like to share your story, please fill out our Share Your Story intro form (thepatientstory.com/share-your-story/) . Sounds like you are a great voice for advocacy and self-care. -Stephanie

[@elizabethwachsberg]

Thank you

[@TorontoSparksMusicAcademy]

How is that possible, the guilt of surviving?

[@cristincarter1]

@@TorontoSparksMusicAcademy when I was diagnosed I made 5 female friends who all had stage 4 colon cancer and were around the same age as me. Im the only one still alive. I can’t explain why anyone has survivors guilt but I do. We all deserved to live long lives.

[@Roethles]

You are so great at walking us through this. My eyes teared up when you talked about the liver surgeon clearly explaining everything, and being the first to give you hope ❤️

[@24JJ821]

Mine too. She is very intelligent and articulate.

[@elizabethwachsberg]

Thank you both so much for watching and commenting!!

[@mikelgelabert5724]

@@elizabethwachsberg Thank you for sharing your story Elisabeth. You are a warrior in my eyes. God bless you!

[@hemacdonald400]

I remember my sister-in-law saying how much she disliked Lance Armstrong's book about overcoming cancer. She said, “I am no hero, I am sick with cancer, I hate the pressure of being a hero!” Thank you for being so honest with your feelings, they are true to you remind me of my sister-in-law and her journey.

[@Gingergirl098]

Turns out Lance lied about having cancer after all😮

[@marcelagarcia6612]

As a cancer survivor, I can relate with the pressure of being called strong and a warrior. It sucks to have cancer you have no choice but to endure the torture of treatment. All you want is to be normal and cancer free

[@JOHNTHEWHISK]

Wrong. You don't have to accept treatment.

[@pattiveidt6596]

I am 8 weeks post 6 months/12 rounds chemo for stage 3 colon cancer. So much that the doctors/nurses don’t tell you. I am still having side effects that they never told me I could expect. But the cold sensitivity is a for real horrible thing…..but I took the chances & would treat myself to a blizzard the day before a new round was scheduled. I have an amazing support system that supported me in being a champion….warrior doesn’t cover it like Champion does. You keep being a Champion also!!!!

[@valorideekon7716]

Omg … That is soooo beautiful to hear you are cancer free !!!!! My spirit spiked for you !!!!! ❤❤ Wishing you a future free of illness.

[@marydawnpafford9969]

Elizabeth, you are a bright, shiney, beacon of light. Anxiety needs to find another place to live. Keep sharing your insights! Much love!

[@mantra4ia]

Thank you so much for touching on the mental health and support structure aspect of survivorship.

[@ruthsebastian4760]

Thank you for being so open in sharing your symptoms. Sorry for the loss of your mother. You are so sweet. Love you. Praying for you Elizabeth 😘🤗🙏

[@CJTJ247]

Your attitude is amazing. I love people that can walk through a storm and come out on the other end to help others. You are a gift. God Bless!

[@elizabethwachsberg]

Thank you

[@wesleyluvsoktoberfest]

Thank you for sharing your journey. I was diagnosed 5 years ago on the 16th with stage 2a colorectal cancer and was told I’m one of the lucky ones. If I won the lottery I’d consider myself lucky. I guess compared to others I am lucky. After 2 months of oral chemo and radiation everyday, 2 surgeries, then 6 more months of chemo and finally 2 more surgeries I’m now cancer free…so far. So I guess I am one of the lucky ones and count my lucky stars everyday and thank my gold standard medical team. They did keep me informed all the way with good news and not so good news. At 67 I do speak whenever I get the opportunity to get my experience out there so I hope that others will hear me and get a check up if your body is letting you know something isn’t quite right. I wish you continued recovery and thanks for getting your story out. Make everyday count and enjoy whatever life we have left. ☮️🌈🙏🏻

[@Dmcsw-xg9cq]

Thanks for sharing your story. I also had colorectal cancer and currently NED. You describe that confusing time when you reached NED very well. I also struggled with anxiety after. That time felt the most difficult for me as well. It was confusing to feel relief but not feel relieved. I found it hard to explain to people. I also followed up with a psychiatrist and benefited from anti anxiety meds for panic attacks. Wishing you continued good health ❤

[@donbarbaraphillipson6285]

Wow what a history! God bless you for sharing this crazy cancer heritage! We do need to hear these stories because many wouldn’t believe that cancer can be so devious! Keep telling your story to raise awareness!!!!!!!

[@laurawilliams5363]

My son had a parotid tumor but it was not cancerous. I am so glad you got answers and today there are options for treatments. I am sorry you lost your mom when you were so young.

[@kimminer7341]

I am so sorry to hear. I lost both of my parents, my sister, and everyone else that has died, from Cancer. My grandpa was “lucky”- he didn’t have Cancer, but had SEVEN heart attacks that finally killed him.

[@solangelalebron1348]

Sounds like a cursed bloodline.

[@J.G.817]

​@@solangelalebron1348That's not a nice thing to say.☹️

[@solangelalebron1348]

@@J.G.817 It's not a nice thing to say, but it's the truth. ETA: Oh this is the lady that fell in love with the doctor who operated her and keeps sending him emails at all times. NOW you know WHY her bloodline is cursed. Lol. She picked up her mother's Harlot habits.

[@maxstone9148]

@@solangelalebron1348 If I were an FBI profiler of psychopaths YOU would definitely be on my radar!

[@JOHNTHEWHISK]

Did you post that to depress everyone in here?

[@kardste8114]

I’m happy for you Elizabeth. It sure seems it helps to have supportive parents and good insurance… but still fragmented care for you off and on. I’m glad you finally found a good primary care doctor in the end. I came to Stage 4 Uterine cancer already living disabled with painful surgical damage for 2 decades. I feel very concerned about How to survive my future in my current body. My story is on my KZbin channel. I’m so glad u had a very good liver oncologist! 👍

[@greeneyedcat717]

So refreshing to hear your honest view of the idea that 'strong people will win the battle'. I understand people want to express positivity but it is a terrible pressure and what does it say about the people that don't have good outcomes? Thank you for sharing your story.

[@elizabethwachsberg]

Thank you

[@Bella-fz9fy]

Exactly,you can have less and more aggressive types of cancer,and sometimes,I think people use it as an ego boost,as in,'I am so positive/wonderful,I beat cancer',and like you said,where does that leave people who didn't make it?Anyway you can get some right grumpy sods who survive.😅

[@clairebeever3038]

Thank you so much for explaining your symptoms … I’m so sorry you have been through so much my mum passed away due to colon cancer and my auntie died of lymphoma 😢I had cancer and now it’s. Returned sending you much love strength hope and positivity ❤❤ your so lovely Claire uk 🇬🇧

[@elizabethwachsberg]

❤❤ what were their names?

[@clairebeever3038]

@@elizabethwachsberg Judy and Josephine x

[@beeyou2533]

​@clairebeever3038 I hope you are going ok, may they rest in peace. You are stronger than you think and you will beat cancer

[@clairebeever3038]

@@beeyou2533 aww 🥰 thank you I have realised how strong 💪 I must be even though sometimes I don’t feel it .. I have a good cry and get up again much love ❤️ to you

[@clairebeever3038]

@@beeyou2533 I hope you’re doing ok ? Too x

[@EN-cb8ut]

You have such a lovely and positive outlook on life! I am impressed! I wish you all the best and a cancer free future!!! ❤

[@dragonlea13979]

I can’t thank you enough for sharing your story. It terrifies me, but also gives me “radical hope”! I love that saying, as recently I felt as if I was losing all hope. My struggle has been long and incredibly difficult, and I still do not have a clear diagnosis. I don’t even know how many times I’ve been hospitalized in the last 2 years, with gastrointestinal and heart problems. I have been diagnosed with almost every gastrointestinal disorder, but overall, I had covid 2 years ago and it attacked my heart and gastrointestinal system, so every doctor, every specialist, no matter what issue I am having, all just say, “You have long haul covid, and there is nothing we can do.” The last 3 1/2 months have been the worst, I have been in the hospital a total of at least 6 weeks, probably more, I no longer count. At one point I was vomiting blood. Soon after I was diagnosed with colitis, and this has been the worst. Such terrible stomach, abdominal and back pain!!!! I was given an “urgent, ASAP referral to a gastroenterologist a month ago, so in June, but they can’t get me in until the middle of October.” I might be dead by then!!! I live in an area with a combined population of 250,000 people. We did have 3 hospitals, but one was closed recently, making it the largest city in the US without a hospital. The majority of all the urgent cares have also been closed down. There were two medical groups, one was sold and all the doctors quit, leaving their patients with no doctor, and no way to have their prescriptions refilled. And we patients of the other medical group have extremely long waits to see our doctors now because they are accommodating all the patients from the other medical group. One out of every 3 pharmacies has closed down, so you wait in line for an hour to get your prescription. Now, our best hospital, which was a Catholic nonprofit hospital run by nuns, who accepted patients with no insurance, and wrote off whatever balance low income peoples insurance didn’t cover, has been sold, and is now a for profit hospital. There has been up to a 90 hour, yes, 90 hour wait to be seen in the ER. The hospitals never have any beds available, so gurney’s line the halls with patients just kept there. I recently spent 3 days and 3 nights in the ER in pure hell, I finally discharged myself. Something very, very fishy is happening to the medical system, not just here, but everywhere. Sigh… enough of that. I just want to thank you for giving me hope again, because I had lost it. I pray you stay in remission. Much love

[@brbr2846]

Look into "mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS)"

[@dragonlea13979]

@@brbr2846 thank you, I did, but the symptoms don’t match my issues. I have had 5 genetic heart attacks, 3 cardiac arrests, beat stage 3 breast cancer 12 years ago with no chemo. I also have essential Thrombocythemia, diagnosed 5 years ago, that I have also refused chemotherapy for.

[@elizabethwachsberg]

❤❤

[@brbr2846]

@@dragonlea13979 Wow!!! So sorry to hear about all of that. But so glad you have survived all of it. God Bless you and I hope you are able to find the help you need. I was having terrible abdominal and back pains and only able to eat a very small amount of hamburger everyday. I got down to 100 lbs and then my heart started to act up with shortness of breath so I took myself to urgent care, but once I mentioned my heart doing weird things they said they couldn't do anything and that I would have to go to the ER. And fortunately in my town, they take heart issues pretty seriously so I got to be the next person called back (there were at least 50 people in the waiting area). They diagnosed me with ketosis starvation and low potassium. Because of the low potassium they were going to admit me and I got all kinds of tests like x-rays and CT scans to check my heart and to try to figure out why I had so much pain and was unable to eat. I was there 3 days and thankfully all my tests were negative. They would not do a colonoscopy but I have one scheduled for next week that my primary care Dr. set up for me because I could not get into a gastro Dr. for about 6 months. When I came home I started a low histamine diet, taking Butyrate, DAO, Enzymes, Betaine HCI, Vit C, D3 & K2, Quercetin, and a few others and I started feeling better. I also started Essiac Tea (Genuine Brand) to do with a friend that was just diagnosed with cancer. I know my symptoms are nothing like yours, and I just pray things will get better for you!!!!🙏🙏🙏

[@LadyKestrel23]

Get a colonoscopy. Your doctor will know immediately if it looks cancerous. Every month counts. Don’t wait months! Colon cancer is slow growing. But after only having blood in his stool for 2 months my husband already had stage 3b! Don’t freaking wait!!

[@valeriegood8427]

You are amazing. I cannot believe the strength & bravery of you & i wish you the best future.

[@pamelaryan8753]

And so fortunate to be surrounded by physicians!!!

[@skygazer6898]

Elizabeth had to ensure so much before even being diagnosed. So pleased she has recovered and can get on with her life, Here in the UK we would have to pay privately to have a colonoscopy. A work colleague had a test done and it revealed she had 3 bleeding polyps in her colon. Good Luck, Elizabeth, you are one of the lucky ones to have survived and for you to now raise awareness to help others is admirable.

[@cynthiagarza273]

May God watch over you, prayers for strength and courage

[@sandradalessandro2935]

Sweet. Girl. I think you are amazing. I think god has a plan for you. You can not only raise awareness. But help so many struggling. Keep working on getting colonoscopy for younger people. Keep working on the idea that we need emotional support. Especially touching on that head space of where do I go now. I just luv your ability to communicate. You. Have more to do here on planet earth. I feel this in my lymphoma infested bones. Diagnosis. Nh bcell diffused aug 2022. Still in treatment. Keeps reoccurring. You. Are not just in inspiration. You. Are a light. Keep shining my dear 🌼🌻☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🥰

[@bettyvillegas8785]

Im just glad you found a good doctor who really helped you ❤

[@brendasnow8255]

I’m happy, so happy, that you’re well.

[@crys2classy]

Thank you for sharing your story❤

[@TheVikingblonde]

Loved your story. I was diagnosed in March of this year, stage 3b Had my surgery in April and have had 6 chemo treatments. My neuropathy and cold sensitivity was so bad that my Doctor discontinued the oxaliplatin. Its so nice to be able to drink something cold. 6 more treatments to go. Wishing you continued NED.

[@debraervin5773]

What a raw, honest story of strength and courage. I really get what you said at the end about feeling abandoned after treatment ended. You are so brave to do this. ❤

[@pamelaryan8753]

So good to know all this, especially that UCLA is a “ teaching hospital”! We NEVER knew this! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Our thoughts are with you, you are truly an amazing individual!

[@Petra44YT]

Yeah, good doctors are very important!

[@marjilaplante9579]

You are so amazing and honest and you really told your story wish such beauty and light.. Blessings to you as you live a joyous life♥️

[@bevanbuckwheatshea5520]

Elizabeth, you are just amazing and an inspiration!

[@KS-yp1jl]

Imagine worshipping a doctor just because he's doing his job the way he should, while the others aren't putting in the effort. As understandable as it is, it shouldn't be so. I've heard similar stories before, from so many people, where all of a sudden a decent doc becomes a hero, a godsent, an angel, and a saviour.

[@elizabethwachsberg]

I didn’t say I worship him, I said he helped me in a way other drs didn’t and he gave me hope when no one else did.

[@amusedBYfools]

​​@@elizabethwachsberg you're so fortunate. I go every year for my Medicare prevention physical. Yearly blood work & I also see a pain Dr every 3 months. I've got so many symptoms and not one of my Drs is concerned about my weight loss, fatigue, unusual stomach pain. Just more and more meds. I'm sitting on the commode as I type. So if I found a Dr who follows up, I'd worship them or whatever word means admire, appreciate, love and can't live without.

[@solangelalebron1348]

Yup. When she said how much she praised him and sends him emails all the time, I was like "You love him more than your husband?" Weird. People have no self control. What does the Doctors wife think of all this? Sorry but the only one saving my soulmate would be me. Also imagine having a doctor as a father, and him being useless! Lol. Then him wanting other doctors to know that her father is a doctor?!?! For what? For him to be humiliated and deemed as worthless? Lol. Creatures here are completely and utterly delusional beyond belief.

[@felixandres4936]

Easy to say when you don't deal with dying pts day after day. Dr's are human too

[@solangelalebron1348]

@@felixandres4936 I feel like dying everyday and if a doctor would help me, I wouldn't be surprised because that is their JOB! Lol. Geesh. Imagine praising everyone who helps you, what a whore. Doctors aren't the only ones that help, clergymen, blue collars, firemen, all those people help save lives too. For example if the house is too hot from the heater, and an old person is dying from the heat and firemen come and shut it off and now old person feels better which happened to my grandmother. I called the firemen and they came and closed it. That's it. That is their JOB lady. Lol. And they get paid very well to do it too, so don't consider them saviors because most of them do it for the money and notoriety, not because they feel compelled from the bottom of their heart.

[@reinasantos]

Thank you!!! You have su much insight into the psychological and emotional side! Like the part abt people telling you how strong you are. And also abt post cancer emotions. I wish you the best!💕💕💕

[@elizabethwachsberg]

Thank you

[@Ceerads]

@@elizabethwachsbergIt’s so nice of you to thank people for their comments!

[@Katie-vy5rd]

So many things you touched on were super helpful! Thank you. You seem like a really neat person 😊. XO

[@elizabethwachsberg]

Thanks! ❤

[@bettyvillegas8785]

Glad your doing better and living your life again 🙏

[@susanparker4550]

I'm glad you're doing OK now, you've been through a lot, I hope you stay well, God Bless

[@emilyspector2728]

I was diagnosed recently with IBS-C. I recently went to the ER again because I basically was impacted. AGAIN. So constipation has been an issue for the past three years. They did remove a 4mm polyp which if I didn’t go have the procedure done, it would’ve turned cancerous. Basically at the ER I finally willed myself to get it out and lot of blood. I was just really pissed off because I told them I am NOT leaving until this is out of me! Linzess is a joke. So basically my life is Miralax, getting blood draws because I found out I had Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 3a, I am tired! Thank you so much Elizabeth for sharing this. Mazel to you. ❤ P.S. I HATE IT when no one knows what tf is going on. I get the same runaround. It’s like YOU guys are supposed to know what the hell is the plan! I shouldn’t have to do your work!!!

[@HopeofGlory-qx4lk]

Your comment doesn’t make much sense. Can you reword it so readers can understand what you’re trying to convey?

[@Freckle59-o9b]

Keep doing miralax but do metamucil sugar free I do them about 30 minutes between each other, my doctor told me to try this , it's been working great about 6 months now , what a relief it's is

[@Freckle59-o9b]

Mine is orange flavor

[@jeanphillips1184]

Welcome to the medical system. Theres no program to deal with these transitions. I believe you got hit with what we call survivors guilt and nobody was there to explain what happened and why I'm so sorry I still struggle with it to this day and my situation happened almost 40 years ago. It's not everyday but something will be a trigger and I'm stopped in my tracks to relive what should be long gone. I'm glad you are trying to change the broken medical system and stay in remission ❤

[@trinichandy3049]

Thanks for sharing your story. Happy you are better. God bless.

[@khaleesit6443]

Praying for you

[@susanshaw2211]

I think you are amazing! The runaround we can get from medical providers and, in my case insurance, is so frustrating, adding to the anxiety of your diagnosis! You feel like your head will blow off. Best of luck and good health to you.

[@brooks6348]

I’m so sorry you had to go through all this! Best wishes for continued good health!

[@melissajanecaranto4811]

thank you for sharing your journey 🙏 it will help a lot of people ❤ happy you are doing better now 🙏

[@scottjackson163]

I would love to say something meaningful to you. Everything that I can think of to say feels like the wrong thing. I am stunned by the unfairness of it all. You’re as fine a human being as can exist, yet this thing happened to you. I hope you never get anymore cancer. ❤️

[@elizabethwachsberg]

Thank you so much

[@renb6133]

@@elizabethwachsbergI wholeheartedly agree with the above comment re: you. You’re a wonderful person & so strong. I only wish your first specialist hadn’t left; he obviously took your symptoms seriously. I’m so glad your liver specialist was such a DTE, compassionate doctor, one that clearly explained everything to you & gave you hope. I find that, in particular, women aren’t taken seriously & are treated as being histrionic. You’re right about well-intentioned people saying the wrong things. I’ve done it myself but we need to listen to those going through this & do better. As you said, sometimes we just need to acknowledge “it sucks” & isn’t fair & GD it, you don’t always have to be strong! Despite being strong, biology will still ultimately decide. I’m ecstatic you’re doing well despite the odds stacked against you. Your family has been through a lot. I’m sure your dad is over the moon about how you’re doing, particularly after the loss of your beloved mom. Keep going, my love, you’ve got so much more left to give! 💕 Edit: Elizabeth Warren is one of of all time faves. I love that you love her too! x

[@scottjackson163]

@@elizabethwachsberg ❤️❤️❤️

[@clairebeever3038]

I’m so glad your so honest I totally feel like that mental health goes to pot I wake up some days with my heart pounding full of doom it’s terrible 😢

[@peggybare6043]

So happy you’re doing well now I pray you continue having good health God bless you and your family thank you for sharing your story ❤🤗🙏🌹🌷😇

[@terencetaylor4600]

Thankyou for your story.

[@drewbarrymore6191]

I questioned my doctor because I have been experiencing similar symptoms, and she fired me 😢 I'm sitting here in pain at the moment because in my experience, if you are a woman you are crazy or overreacting. She told me I didn't need to get pap smear because I had a hysterectomy. I pushed to see I gyno and ended up having pre cancer lesion and had to have laser surgery on my vulva

[@dinavienna]

@@drewbarrymore6191 hope you can get a colonoscopy soon ! Better safe than sorry I had to push hard for mine too and changed doctor !

[@swiadomosczwiazkowpl]

Of course not. Im a man and i was always treated like i am overracting too.

[@evarodriguezalequin5705]

Your Dr. Is incorrect! I had a total hysterectomy with dissection of nodules in February 2024 with my oncologist. Diagnostic was endometrial cancer stage 1 and I had a Pap test done in July 2024. He said that since he did not remove vagina it is necessary to do paps and Ct Scan. My oncologist is a gynecologist oncologist. I have learned a lot with the diagnostic I have. Will need to go for check ups until after five years after diagnostic.

[@WdawgSmith]

@@swiadomosczwiazkowplI agree it happens with men too (I’m a man) however if you’ve had children or are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, GI doctors are notorious for just using that to explain any type of symptom you have I mean it’s not like they always do that But my sister in law is having the worst time She gave birth about 13 months ago And she went in to the emergency room and was throwing up and up until that point they had told her she was looking for drugs (she is a suburban teacher No history of drugs) But once she threw up They found out she had a twisted colon So she needed emergency surgery But now she is back to having pain And they keep telling her that it’s normal because she recently gave birth (13 months is not recent to me) But I also have stomach issues and I haven’t been taken seriously either until they did a colonoscopy abd found massive polyps Luckily they weren’t cancerous But I really think the whole GI industry is overworked and overstressed so they just miss things or just don’t want deal with it I mean if I called today for a GI appointment It would be 6 months from now at best That’s ridiculous But it’s not like they are turning people down It’s just a symptom of an oversaturated system So I think for anyone it’s difficult to be taken seriously But I believe women have it worse because they like to blame issues on pregnancy Either during or after pregnancy I would really lose it if I had to go through that Pregnancy is hard enough But to then have all medical issues blamed on that would be difficult

[@lindahill9215]

Going through the same thing too! I'm over reacting

[@MyFavoriteColorIsBLUE]

Thanks for sharing your story. You are an inspiration ❤

[@7passionstar]

Such a lovely person. Best health to you always! ❤

[@novaaababy]

My symptoms are gas constipation thin stools stomach pain after eat but no blood in stools.. doctors have tried to figure it out now im seeing a gastrologost to get a colonoscopy. If you feel like something is not right be vocal about your health. Hopefully its nothing serious, im only 26.. will update when figure it out in couple weeks

[@katiebarquet8783]

Any updates yet ?

[@softduck]

Any updates?

[@Lalaaaa1995]

Any update? I have similar symptoms.

[@chrislimcoro4508]

We are waiting for your update

[@kellyepate4527]

@@Lalaaaa1995 i have same issues plus others

[@splash6427]

🙏 ❤️ 🙏 For You Always & Forever

[@atreyuprincipalh4043]

May you have a happy long healthy life beautiful angel-God bless You❤️I love You

[@vilmavelazquez1979]

Same thing happened to me! Except I had breast cancer. Mental health was neglected throughout the entire cancer treatment because getting rid of the cancer was a priority.

[@ilciavargas7318]

Is so sad to see so many young people with all kind of cáncers it makes feel so sad. To make things worst doctors don't take action .On the other hand there are so many people with celiac decease (intolerance to gluten found in wheat or products from wheat ) but doctors takes so long to send you to have a test that you end up all broken due to the inflamation. They don't tell you to eat bread or food that contains wheat so the test comes positive. An american doctor who suffer from celiac said that twice she was negative and she could hardly walk then she decided to consume bread the day of the test and end up positive.

[@Kelly-qc9wc]

Or gluten sensitive too...

[@plops993]

Love that not today shirt, great story

[@suewinter3693]

Great video!

[@barbaracilley8200]

I’ve heard of other people having panic attacks the same way you did after your treatment. He started talking to a psychologist and they worked on finding ways to deal with the anxiety. I missed whether he was given any meds for the panic attacks. He was/is a fireman paramedic. He’s taken a lot of people to the ER because of panic attacks and he never believed there was such a thing - but he does now.

[@christinaelliott8565]

Thank you so very much for sharing your life and experiences with and without cancer. I'm about to go in for a second colonoscopy and have experienced a change in my digestion, so really want to find out if my colon and GI tract in general are free of cancer. Frankly, I feel different in a not-so-good-way this time around. I am scared.

[@elizabethwachsberg]

Hope it goes well!!

[@jessiedoggie1942]

Great woman. Smart and funny.

[@sandilobianco6734]

When I googled side pain it said could be “digestive issues. If the pain comes and goes see a doctor”. Why shame people for looking up their symptoms?

[@flxmkr]

It’s not the medical professionals who are shaming; it’s society, who wants people to believe important people never pass gas. We’ve been pooting and burping since the beginning of time. Yet society sees nothing wrong with showing bedroom scene on tv, but unless it’s written in as a joke, you don’t hear people pooting or burping on tv. THEY are making it seem wrong and unnatural. Not doctors or whoever wrote the symptoms.

[@pingmckay]

Thank you for sharing

[@yaelWolfebaz]

So informative thank you

[@christinegreywolf]

It makes me crazy that doctors do a celiac test but realistically most people have an "intolerance" to gluten instead. They are 2 different things. 1% of the US has celiac disease but 6% of the US population is gluten intolerant. The doctors do not explain the difference and tell the patient that they do not have Celiac and people think they are okay to eat gluten. It's very frustrating. I also agree that the specialists do not talk to each other and the patient ends up being ignored when they know something serious is wrong.

[@pamelaryan8753]

Was yr primary doctor also from UCLA? I just dropped mine, as they have too many hoops to jump through to get the meds you really need! And so understand the specialty thing, BUT and a big but, why didn’t yr own dad prescribe you the meds for yr panic attacks? Why did he feel you sho7ld see ALL the other docs??? CRAZINESS!

[@flxmkr]

I have a theory that because your mom probably had cancer when she was pregnant with you, you may have received her cancer cells which grew some. But because it wasn’t your cancer, your body was able to fight it with the immunity your body built up while it was trying to fight the initial cancer. Also, you received your mother’s immunity that was fighting her cancer. So you have your immunity and your mom’s immunity fighting cancer that wasn’t your cancer to begin with. And that’s why you were able to fight it off. But I’m not a doctor.

[@PoissonDemiVide]

I didn’t hear anything about constipation. Did I miss something? All I heard was right before diagnosis she had the feeling of not being able to finish pooping, but everything before that was more like diarrhea immediately after eating.

[@1GRR]

i think that does count as constipation

[@1GRR]

i think having constipation counts as not fully evacuating and even if you have diharrea

[@LadyKestrel23]

My husbands only symptom was blood in his stool.

[@amazingAish6187]

@@LadyKestrel23how often would he get bloody stools please?

[@LadyKestrel23]

@@amazingAish6187 he was having it every time. Then one morning it was a lot and that scared him. His tumor was not blocking most of his bowel so the blood seemed to be on one side of the stool where the tumor was. That’s just a guess though. ❤️❤️

[@JacquelineHageberg]

I am so happy to hear you kicked cancer in the ass. Thank you for sharing

[@kellio8087]

Did anyone here who had/has cancer have any body stressors anytime before your diagnosis, like mental stress or grief, over working, over exercising, or an unhealthy diet? I've been doing lots of research and found that most people who had cancer had some type of stressor beforehand. Some body stressors may not feel like stress. For example, running marathons makes people feel good, but it's actually stressing the body. Anything that over stresses the body causes systemic inflammation and cell malfunction and lowers the immune system so it cant repair damage thats happening.

[@willard2729]

I lived in Manhattan for 15 years, during which we had the financial crash, bill deblasio, Covid, and George Floyd riots. My marriage got very rocky. My mental health deteriorated as the civility in Manhattan deteriorated. Said F you to many people in the streets. I developed 2 stage 3 cancers. But I have Lynch syndrome and a family history of GI cancer so it’s hard to prove stress as a cause

[@kellio8087]

@@willard2729 I'm so very sorry 😞

[@taopaille-paille4992]

I had maximal stress and got a quite bad autoimmune disease. I guess everything is a question of probabilities. For sure stress and bad things happening to you are not good for your health

[@cemetarygates2800]

Well wishes

[@ronbell415]

I had advanced stage three Colan rectal cancer when I was 49. I used to get an upset stomach every day after kemo someone told me smoking weed helps so I tried it and I would smoke and one hour later I was looking for somthing to eat.

[@thakid861]

Explain your upset stomach? Like you were in pain bad?

[@PatroliHoax]

Did you do a blood test for tumor marker?

[@elizabethwachsberg]

I do Signatera every 6 months. I’ve had 5 negative tests

[@dorothywells-wz5nr]

Try nausea bands made in U.K. available at Walmart. Meyers or Walgreens. A Friend had a germ and had some OF her Colon removed. She wears a bag now. D

[@comeconcon569]

Constipation, nausea, dizziness are just some of the symptoms of colon cancer.

[@carmencorleto1479]

What are the inflammatory levels called?. My sister died at 50 from colon cancer .

[@mpdnd1335]

Nobody is cancer free. Don't depend on the doctors. Sometimes you get lucky, however, mostly you don't.

[@RepublikAnime]

I do not trust doctor. I trust CT Scan and colonoscopi

[@lonia.5283]

Matthew 11:28-29 "28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.'❤

[@Pusthar]

I'm having lactose intolerance. Recently I'm experiencing constipation and shooting pain in right side of my belly. Feeling nausea too. But my GP is continuoualy saying I have gastritis only. Feeling bad now..

[@vetfred1977]

The fact that every doctor see its own bit and no one really takes care of a patient as a whole is a common problem worldwide and I m shocked that no one in the medical community is talking it seriously. People often turn to alternative medicine because of this, very often doctors with an alternative non conventional approach are the only ones who listen and look at the person as a whole, that’s a true limit of current western medicine

[@Steve-mp7by]

Cancer is awful. I lost my mother, step mother, 2 aunts, a sister in law

[@krisfrazier4870]

those who have liver mets that have a complete pathologic response have a 5 year survival and recurrence free percentages that mirror stage 1-2 survivorship. in the 80s%

[@LilByrdFly2]

All of the lymph nodes in my stomach are swollen and Colon, stomach and pancreatic cancer runs in my family and because I have massive abdominal adhesions,so not everything shows up in a CT! I couldn't pee and they went in and found out my bowels had twisted,but here in Florida no one takes me serious. My blood work is never normal, and I have begged for them to go in and do exploratory surgery, they diagnosed me with IBS and diverticulitis but my stomach hurts like I'm being stabbed at times, and I go to the ER and they actually joke now and tell me I'm just constipated!!!!! I use miralax every day for years now, I vomit, it's almost like morning sickness,it just comes on fast and there's been a lot of bleeding, bright red and sometimes black and I have spots on my liver they say are probably just fatty cysts!!! I have no living family for support and I'm afraid to go back to the ER but the past month I've been so so sick, I can have diarrhea and then it goes to constipation,all in the same bowel movement!! So I guess I've been constipated since 2015!!! I don't know what to do! I'm terrified of being made fun of again

[@JujuPig-vz5mq]

I would think she would be Relieved/Ecstatic that she is cancer free. I mean that should really take a load off your mind.

[@Jules-s6j]

She is so cute

[@pamelaryan8753]

And you can donate the blankets to the Humane Society!

[@debratorres5299]

What about numbness right under my last left rib? Any input?

[@AnonymousanonymousA]

biofilm?

[@ciuffoarancione8929]

I d like to know how many people often young and healthy got turbo cancer or stage 4 after jabs... A lot...and doctors know it... I am injured from 2nd dose of pfizer.. Was really fit and healthy a gym maniac now life ruined forever. Thanks doctors for what you ve done to humanity.

[@JOHNTHEWHISK]

Love the litte girl like bow in your hair lol

[@chrissmith-no3bo]

My dad was diagnosed with non Hodgkin's lymphoma in dec of 1996. He died march 1997... When he dr did his autopsy they found a tumor in his stomach and was in there since back in the seventies...from agent orange when he was in vietnam. Two tours and 35 yrs of military service. It explained alot of things we noticed... My mom had colon cancer în 1997 right after he died. She fought for 17 yrs and after giving up part of her colon a rib a kidney chemo radiation then her last kidney went and we knew she wasnt going to make it to summer. She died 17 yrs to the monh and a week from dad dying.

[@annagarza7299]

I love your free spirit and honesty YOU ARE HOT and people keep giving you blankets 🤣 I’m sorry you made me laugh 😂 people kept telling me YOU ARE SO STRONG 💪 and I did not feel strong 😞 our 7 yr old son was diagnosed with cancer osteosarcoma 😭😭💔💔🤬🤬 mommy was 31 yrs and dad was 32 yrs and having your child diagnosed with cancer is DEVASTATING when the dr told me I fell to my knees 😫😫the next 3 yrs between work we also have a 6 yr old daughter and being in the hospital we never left him alone seems like a long nightmare 😑 I hope you continue doing well and living life ❤️

[@elizabethwachsberg]

❤❤

[@Dmcsw-xg9cq]

❤

[@roadpizza3470]

There is NO REASON your doctor couldn’t have treated your mental health while evaluating physical causes. Good lord. As a doctor, this frustrates me.

[@hollyruck210]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤