Jackson’s Stage 3 Colon Cancer at 26: Difficult Days While Trying to Keep a Routine
When Jackson was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer, right before his 26th birthday, it came out of nowhere. He had only been experiencing abdominal pain for a couple of weeks, which led to a trip to the ER for dehydration, only to discover something far more serious. The shock of hearing “colon cancer” at such a young age was overwhelming, especially with no family history and no warning signs.
Interviewed by: Nikki Murphy
Edited by: Katrina Villareal
What followed was a whirlwind: emergency scans, a colonoscopy, a biopsy, and a surgery all within days. Even before the official diagnosis of stage 3 colon cancer, Jackson had already undergone a transverse colectomy. It was fast, intense, and life-changing. But through it all, Jackson found strength he didn’t know he had.
There’s been a concerning rise in colon cancer in young adults, and Jackson’s experience highlights why awareness and timely attention to symptoms, no matter how seemingly minor, are critical. At an age when most people are focused on careers and relationships, Jackson was juggling chemotherapy with prepping for the bar exam. Instead of slowing down, he pushed through with grace, humor, and a lot of grit.
What stood out most in Jackson’s story is his mindset. He didn’t sugarcoat the hard days — like the allergic reactions to chemo, the side effects that made him feel decades older, or the anxiety of waiting for scan results — but he emphasized the power of keeping a routine, doing “normal” things with friends, and finding ways to enjoy life even during treatment. Reclaiming small parts of normalcy helped him feel human again.
Jackson also credits a lot of his resilience to his support system: his fiancé, family, friends, and coworkers, who helped keep him grounded and encouraged. Their presence gave him something to lean on during the hardest moments. Jackson wants others facing stage 3 colon cancer to know that they’re never truly alone.
Today, Jackson’s cancer-free, grateful, and looking forward to all the parts of life that once felt uncertain. His message? Believe you can get through it. Lean on people. Stay hopeful. Live your life. And never be afraid to speak up when something feels off.
Watch Jackson’s interview to find out more about his story:
- How Jackson didn’t let cancer stop him, even if he was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer just before taking the bar exam.
- How he found hope, balance, and even joy in the middle of treatment.
- How subtle symptoms led to a life-changing diagnosis.
- From chemo infusions to hanging out with friends, Jackson made living through cancer feel possible.
- How he used mindset, support, and routines to power through cancer treatment.
- Name: Jackson A.
- Age at Diagnosis:
- 25
- Diagnosis:
- Colon Cancer
- Staging:
- Stage 3
- Symptom:
- Sharp abdominal pain
- Treatment:
- Surgery: emergency transverse colectomy
This is not medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider to make informed treatment decisions.
Inspired by Jackson’s story?
Share your story, too!
More Colon Cancer Stories
Zed D., Colon Cancer, Stage 3B
Symptoms: Fatigue, blood in stool, inconsistent bowel movements
Treatments: Chemotherapy, surgeries (total colectomy, bowel obstruction surgery)
Adrienne F., Colon Cancer (Colon Adenocarcinoma), Stage 4 (Metastatic)
Symptoms: Years of constant fatigue, appearance of a lump in the abdomen
Treatments: Chemotherapy (FOLFIRINOX, FOLFOX, FOLFIRI), radiation therapy (Y-90 radioembolization) monoclonal antibody (bevacizumab), ablation therapy, surgery (colon and liver resection)
Ken S., Colorectal Cancer, Stage 4 (Metastatic)
Symptoms: Frequent loose bowel movements, intermittent rectal bleeding, fever and chills, rapid and significant weight loss
Treatments: Surgeries (total colectomy, liver resection), ablation therapy (liver and lung ablations), chemotherapy (FOLFOX, capecitabine, fluorouracil), monoclonal antibody (panitumumab)
Carrie H., Colon Cancer (Signet Ring Cell Carcinoma of the Colon), Stage 4 (Metastatic)
Symptoms: Persistent upset stomach, significant bloating
Treatments: Surgeries (colon resection, oophorectomy, hysterectomy, laparoscopic tumor resection, liver resection, kidney resection), chemotherapy, radiation therapy
Kristen B., Colon Cancer, Stage 3
Symptoms: Abdominal pain, constipation or difficulty using the bathroom, vomiting stool
Treatments: Surgeries (colectomy, appendectomy, ileostomy), chemotherapy (oxaliplatin)
Nathan G., Colon Cancer, Stage 4 (Metastatic)
Symptoms: Persistent heartburn, feeling full after eating, severe abdominal pain
Treatments: Surgeries (colectomy, cytoreductive surgery, lymphanadectomy), chemotherapy (FOLFOX, HIPEC or hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy)
Leave a Reply