April 25, 2025

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’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

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

Thank you for sharing your story, Albita!

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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., BRAF Mutation Colon Cancer, Stage 4

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

Treatments: Surgery (hemicolectomy), chemotherapy

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., 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

Rachael’s Stage 4 Sigmoid Colon Cancer Story

Rachael, a 34-year-old mother of three, shares her experience with stage 4 sigmoid colon cancer, which has spread to her ovaries and liver. Her journey began unexpectedly when she visited the emergency room due to severe stomach pain. After undergoing a CT scan, she was abruptly informed of her diagnosis, a moment that left her in disbelief and shock. Despite this, Rachael quickly shifted her focus to taking control of her treatment, scheduling procedures like a liver biopsy and partial colectomy. She underwent emergency surgery with the help of robotic technology, which included a total hysterectomy and the placement of a colostomy bag.

Interviewed by: Taylor Scheib
Edited by: Chris Sanchez

Rachael describes the difficult emotional decision to undergo a hysterectomy, knowing it meant she would no longer be able to have more children. However, she prioritized her health and the need to be there for her 3 children. She talks about her intense chemotherapy regimen, which was both physically and mentally challenging. One of her greatest fears was not being able to be the same mother to her children during this time, but with the support of family and friends, she was able to manage her treatments and maintain a sense of normalcy for her kids.

Rachael reflects on the strange and sudden symptoms she experienced before her diagnosis of sigmoid colon cancer, including the loss of taste, appetite, and intense stomach pain. She also recalls how her dog seemed to sense something was wrong, constantly staying close to her in the months leading up to her diagnosis.

Rachael expresses a determination to keep moving forward despite the numbness and emotional difficulty of the situation. After completing her chemotherapy, she now faces the uncertainty of whether her tumors will grow again. She is awaiting further scans and potential liver surgery as well as HIPEC treatments. While she feels anxious about the future, she remains resilient and has accepted that she cannot control everything. She now possesses a sense of peace and a more positive outlook on life.

Despite moments of frustration and asking, “Why me?”, Rachael has found strength in her acceptance of her condition. She is grateful for her family, friends, and support system, and continues to focus on spending quality time with her children, making the most of the present while preparing for any challenges that may lie ahead.

Name:
- Rachael M.
Age at Diagnosis:
- 33
Diagnosis:
- Colorectal cancer
Staging:
- Stage 4
Initial Symptoms:
- Loss of sense of taste and smell
- Loss of appetite and vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Bloating
- Headaches
- Fatigue
Treatment:
- Surgery (total hysterectomy, sigmoid colon removed, tumor removed in colon, stoma configuration, port placement)
- Chemotherapy