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Chemotherapy Colectomy Colon Colorectal Hepatectomy Hysterectomy Patient Stories Radiation Therapy Surgery Treatments

Life Despite Stage 4 Colon Cancer: Albita’s Honest, Hopeful Story

Living Fully with Stage 4 Colon Cancer: Albita’s Honest, Hopeful Story

When vibrant Albita noticed symptoms like stomach pain and blood in her stool back in 2019, she brushed them off, attributing them to stress, diet, and an active lifestyle. It wasn’t until 2024, at the age of 32, that she received the life-altering diagnosis: stage 4 colon cancer.

Interviewed by: Nikki Murphy
Edited by: Chris Sanchez

Albita’s path to diagnosis was filled with delays due to fear, financial concerns, and misattribution of symptoms to conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). She experienced persistent weight gain in her midsection, fatigue, and worsening digestive issues. Despite hesitation, she eventually scheduled a colonoscopy, which revealed a tumor. Further scans showed metastases in her liver, confirming stage 4 colon cancer.

Albita G. stage 4 colon cancer

Albita’s reaction was a mix of shock and an odd sense of relief. Finally, there was a name for the mysterious health issues she had been facing. As a pharmacy technician, she understood medical jargon but found the reality of cancer overwhelming. Yet, her oncologist offered hope, emphasizing that stage 4 isn’t hopeless. Treatments are available, and many people continue to live full lives.

Albita underwent multiple treatments, including several rounds of chemotherapy, liver resections, and a colon resection with a hysterectomy. That’s when Stella entered her life — her ileostomy, which she’s learned to embrace. Living with an ileostomy has been an adjustment, reshaping her relationship with food, body image, and self-care. She now pays attention to her hydration, nutrient intake, and manages the daily logistics of having a stoma.

Despite the physical toll and side effects of her treatments — fatigue, brain fog, hair loss, and skin issues — Albita’s mindset remains her strongest asset. She acknowledges grief for the life she had before but finds strength in her growth. “I feel stronger as a human being,” she shares, highlighting how facing stage 4 colon cancer has revealed an inner resilience she never knew she had.

Albita’s message to others is clear: listen to your body. Don’t dismiss symptoms like persistent stomach pain, unusual weight changes, or blood in your stool. Early detection can make a significant difference. She also advocates for mental health support, therapy, and maintaining a positive mental attitude, which helps her navigate the emotional waves of living with cancer.

Watch Albita’s video to find out more about:

  • How important it is to listen to our bodies.
  • How a diagnosis of stage 4 colon cancer changed everything — and nothing — for her.
  • Albita’s powerful take on living with an ileostomy.
  • Why she named her stoma Stella, and other inspiring insights.
  • The symptoms Albita initially ignored that you shouldn’t.

  • Name:
    • Albita G.
  • Age at Diagnosis:
    • 32
  • Diagnosis:
    • Colon Cancer
  • Staging:
    • Stage 4
  • Symptoms:
    • Blood in stool
    • Pain during defecation
    • Constant constipation
    • Steady weight gain in the midsection despite exercising
  • Treatments:
    • Surgery: colectomy, hepatectomy, hysterectomy
    • Chemotherapy
    • Radiation
Albita G. stage 4 colon cancer
Albita G. stage 4 colon cancer
Albita G. stage 4 colon cancer
Albita G. stage 4 colon cancer
Albita G. stage 4 colon cancer
Albita G. stage 4 colon cancer
Albita G. stage 4 colon cancer

This interview has been edited for clarity. This is not medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider to make treatment decisions.


Albita G. stage 4 colon cancer
Thank you for sharing your story, Albita!

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More Metastatic Colon Cancer Stories

 
Raquel A. feature profile

Raquel A., Colorectal Cancer, Stage 4



Symptoms: Frequent bowel movements, pin-thin stools, mild red blood in stool
Treatment: Chemotherapy

Steve S., Colorectal Cancer, Stage 4



Symptoms: Blood in stool, changes in bowel habits, feeling gassy and bloated

Treatments: Surgery, chemotherapy, monoclonal antibody, liver transplant
Jessica T. feature profile

Jessica T., BRAF Mutation Colon Cancer, Stage 4



Symptoms: Severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, anemia (discovered later)

Treatments: Surgery (hemicolectomy), chemotherapy

Jennifer T. feature profile

Jennifer T., Colon Cancer, Stage 4



Symptoms: Weight loss, coughing, vomiting, sciatica pain, fatigue

Treatments: Surgeries (colectomy, lung wedge resection on both lungs), chemotherapy, immunotherapy
Kasey S. feature profile

Kasey S., Colon Cancer, Stage 4



Symptoms: Extreme abdominal cramping, mucus in stool, rectal bleeding, black stool, fatigue, weight fluctuations, skin issues (guttate psoriasis)
Treatments: Surgeries (colectomy & salpingectomy), chemotherapy


Categories
Chemotherapy Colorectal CRC ileostomy Patient Stories Radiation Therapy Surgery Treatments

Edie’s Stage 3B Colorectal Cancer Story

Edie’s Stage 3B Colorectal Cancer Story

Edie was diagnosed with stage 3B colorectal cancer at 52, after a positive Cologuard test and subsequent colonoscopy. Initially, she had experienced years of constipation but attributed it to various factors, like medication and scoliosis. When she turned 50, despite not having any risk factors or family history, her doctor recommended a Cologuard test, which came back positive. She initially dismissed it as a false alarm, but a follow-up colonoscopy revealed a mass, prompting further tests. Soon after, she was diagnosed with colorectal cancer, which required urgent treatment.

Interviewed by: Taylor Scheib
Edited by: Katrina Villareal

Edie’s treatment plan included chemotherapy and radiation, which began in April 2021. The chemotherapy was administered in eight rounds, spaced two weeks apart, to reduce cancer in her lymph nodes. She utilized a technique of icing her hands and feet during treatments to reduce the risk of neuropathy. Radiation therapy followed in September, involving daily sessions for six weeks. While Edie experienced some GI symptoms, the treatments were largely manageable.

Edie H. feature profile

Afterward, scans showed significant shrinkage of the tumor, leading to surgery in January 2022, which included a lower anterior resection and a temporary ileostomy. Unfortunately, the ileostomy was poorly formed, and Edie required a reversal seven weeks later. Following her surgery, Edie experienced a full recovery. The lymph nodes removed during surgery were negative for cancer and the tumor margins were clean. She continued with regular follow-up care, including scans and colonoscopies, all of which have returned clear since her treatment.

Edie emphasized the importance of screening and self-advocacy, as early detection can greatly improve treatment outcomes. She is also an advocate for colorectal cancer awareness, stressing the need for open conversations about the disease to reduce stigma. Throughout her treatment and recovery, Edie found solace in connecting with others who had cancer and building a supportive community for herself.

In terms of survivorship, Edie has adjusted to a new perspective on life, valuing the present moment and focusing on enjoying life rather than worrying about the future. She encourages others to give themselves grace and seek out support, especially from those who understand the emotional and physical challenges of cancer. Edie’s story highlights the importance of screening, early detection, and staying positive through difficult times.


  • Name: Edie H.
  • Age at Diagnosis:
    • 52
  • Diagnosis:
    • Colorectal Cancer
  • Staging:
    • Stage 3B
  • Symptom:
    • Chronic constipation
  • Treatments:
    • Chemotherapy
    • Radiation
    • Surgeries: lower anterior resection & temporary ileostomy (reversed after 7 weeks)
Edie H.
Edie H.
Edie H.
Edie H.
Edie H.
Edie H.
Edie H.

This interview has been edited for clarity. This is not medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider to make treatment decisions.


Edie H. feature profile
Thank you for sharing your story, Edie!

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More Colorectal Cancer Stories

Monica D. feature profile

Monica D., Colorectal Cancer, Stage 1



Symptoms: None; caught at a routine colonoscopy
Treatment: Surgery (low anterior resection with temporary diverting ileostomy)

Edie H. feature profile

Edie H., Colorectal Cancer, Stage 3B



Symptom: Chronic constipation

Treatments: Chemotherapy, radiation, surgeries (lower anterior resection & temporary ileostomy)
Shayla L. feature profile

Shayla L., Colorectal Cancer, Stage 4



Symptoms: Stomach sensitivity, food intolerances, exhaustion, blood in stool
Treatments: Chemotherapy, surgery (hepatectomy)
Tracy R. feature profile

Tracy R., Colorectal Cancer, Stage 2B



Symptoms: Bloating and inflammation, heaviness in the rectum, intermittent rectal bleeding, fatigue
Treatments: Chemotherapy, radiation, surgery
Paula C. feature profile

Paula C., Colorectal Cancer, Stage 3



Symptoms: Painful gas, irregular bowel movements, blood in stool, anemia, severe pain, weight loss, fainting spells
Treatment: Surgery (tumor resection)
Nick S. feature profile

Nick S., Colorectal Cancer, Stage 4A



Symptoms: Change in bowel habits, size & consistency, blood in stool, abdominal pain, fatigue
Treatment: Surgery (sigmoid colectomy), chemotherapy (capecitabine, oxaliplatin), immunotherapy (bevacizumab, pembrolizumab)

Categories
Cetuximab Chemotherapy Colectomy Colon Colorectal FOLFIRI (folinic acid, fluorouracil, irinotecan) FOLFOX (folinic acid, fluorouracil, oxaliplatin) Immunotherapy Lung wedge resection Metastatic Patient Stories Surgery Treatments

Jennifer’s Stage 4 Colon Story

Jennifer’s Stage 4 Colon Cancer Story

Jennifer was diagnosed with early onset colon cancer in 2017 (stage 3) at the age of 23, which progressed to stage 4 in 2020. Her diagnosis came after an iron deficiency flagged by her endocrinologist led to further testing and a colonoscopy revealing a 5 cm tumor. Before her diagnosis, she experienced scattered symptoms including weight loss, coughing, vomiting, sciatica pain, and persistent fatigue, which were initially attributed to depression, stress, and other conditions.

Interviewed by: Taylor Scheib
Edited by: Katrina Villareal

Treatment began with a colectomy in December 2017, followed by six months of FOLFOX chemotherapy. Despite an initial remission, Jennifer’s cancer returned in her lungs in 2020, discovered during post-stroke scans after a medical complication left her blind in one eye. Subsequent treatments included FOLFIRI chemotherapy, cetuximab immunotherapy, and two lung wedge resections to remove nodules.

Jennifer T. feature profile

Jennifer candidly discusses the challenges of navigating complex medical care that came with her early onset colon cancer diagnosis, including periods of insufficient oncology support, medical advocacy struggles, and emotional tolls. She credits her recovery to persistence, family support, and pushing for surgeries against her oncologist’s preference for extended chemotherapy. A wake-up call from her health crises led her to improve her lifestyle, take control of her medical care, and stay deeply involved in her treatment plans.

Reflecting on her experiences, Jennifer emphasizes the importance of advocating for oneself, accepting past circumstances, and maintaining a focus on the present. Her message to others is clear: trust your medical team but actively participate in decisions, avoid panic over statistics, and focus on actionable steps toward treatment and recovery.


  • Name: Jennifer T.
  • Age at Diagnosis:
    • 23
  • Diagnosis:
    • Colon Cancer
  • Staging:
    • Stage 3 (2017)
    • Stage 4 (2020)
  • Symptoms:
    • Weight loss
    • Coughing
    • Vomiting
    • Sciatica pain
    • Fatigue
  • Treatments:
    • Surgeries: colectomy, lung wedge resection on both lungs
    • Chemotherapy: FOLFOX, FOLFIRI
    • Immunotherapy: cetuximab
Jennifer T.
Jennifer T.
Jennifer T.
Jennifer T.
Jennifer T.
Jennifer T.
Jennifer T.

This interview has been edited for clarity. This is not medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider to make treatment decisions.


Jennifer T. feature profile
Thank you for sharing your story, Jennifer!

Inspired by Jennifer's story?

Share your story, too!


More Metastatic Colon Cancer Stories

 
Raquel A. feature profile

Raquel A., Colorectal Cancer, Stage 4



Symptoms: Frequent bowel movements, pin-thin stools, mild red blood in stool
Treatment: Chemotherapy

Steve S., Colorectal Cancer, Stage 4



Symptoms: Blood in stool, changes in bowel habits, feeling gassy and bloated

Treatments: Surgery, chemotherapy, monoclonal antibody, liver transplant
Jessica T. feature profile

Jessica T., BRAF Mutation Colon Cancer, Stage 4



Symptoms: Severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, anemia (discovered later)

Treatments: Surgery (hemicolectomy), chemotherapy

Jennifer T. feature profile

Jennifer T., Colon Cancer, Stage 4



Symptoms: Weight loss, coughing, vomiting, sciatica pain, fatigue

Treatments: Surgeries (colectomy, lung wedge resection on both lungs), chemotherapy, immunotherapy
Kasey S. feature profile

Kasey S., Colon Cancer, Stage 4



Symptoms: Extreme abdominal cramping, mucus in stool, rectal bleeding, black stool, fatigue, weight fluctuations, skin issues (guttate psoriasis)
Treatments: Surgeries (colectomy & salpingectomy), chemotherapy