A Young Mother’s Harrowing Battle with Colon Cancer: Dismissed Symptoms and a Miracle Recovery
The diagnosis of colon cancer often conjures images of older individuals, but for Amber Kissell, a mother of two, this devastating disease struck at just 36 years old. What began as a series of concerning symptoms after the birth of her second child was initially dismissed by medical professionals who deemed her “too young” for such a serious illness. Her journey from persistent fatigue and bowel irregularities to a life-threatening diagnosis and ultimately, remission, is a powerful testament to resilience and the importance of advocating for one’s health.
The Onset of Symptoms and Initial Dismissal
Following the birth of her second child, Isabella, via C-section in November 2015, Amber began experiencing a cascade of health issues. She struggled to use the bathroom for a week post-birth and soon noticed blood in her stool. Alongside these alarming signs, she suffered from debilitating fatigue, making it incredibly difficult to care for her newborn and her eight-year-old.
Despite these clear indicators, Amber’s initial consultations with her primary care physician proved disheartening. The blood in her stool was attributed to a simple fissure, and her fatigue was explained away as the normal exhaustion of new motherhood. Even a comment from a medical professional about her significant weight loss – an unintended consequence of her illness – was brushed aside. Amber recalls, “I could not get up in the middle of the night to take care of our baby, I felt so ill. They said the blood in my stool was because I had a fissure. When I walked past she said, ‘good job on losing 10 pounds.’ I thought it was weird as I was not trying to lose weight.”
Escalating Concerns and a Dire Diagnosis
As Amber’s symptoms persisted and worsened, she sought further medical advice. The blood in her stool became more pronounced, and she began experiencing episodes of dizziness. A consultation with a colorectal surgeon, who attributed her issues to hemorrhoids and prescribed cream, offered little relief. Amber’s persistent concerns, even her direct question about the possibility of colon cancer, were met with the same discouraging response: she was simply too young.
The turning point came on March 14, 2017. While at work, Amber suffered a severe dizzy spell, prompting an emergency room visit. En route to the hospital, the same colorectal surgeon she had seen previously offered to perform a colonoscopy. This procedure, conducted a couple of days later, delivered the devastating news. The results confirmed that Amber had Stage Four colon cancer, which had already metastasised to her liver and lymph nodes.
The Shock and the Fight for Survival
Receiving such a dire prognosis, especially when her children were so young – eight and 16 months old – was an almost unimaginable blow. Amber describes the moment she received the news as an “out-of-body experience,” fearing for her life and the future of her children. The confirmation that the cancer had spread to her liver was particularly crushing. “When I was told it had spread to my liver, I dropped the phone to the doctor and phoned my mom to say I was dying,” she recounted. In the face of such mortality, Amber began preparing her children for a life without her, creating “buckets” of memories and journals.
A Glimmer of Hope and Aggressive Treatment
Despite the grim prognosis, Amber’s determination to fight was unwavering. She reached out to three different specialists and ultimately chose the one who displayed the most compassion. This doctor outlined an aggressive treatment plan, beginning with chemotherapy. The initial outlook was bleak, with discussions of palliative care to manage her quality of life, as a cure seemed unlikely.
The Miracle of Remission
Amber underwent 12 rounds of intensive chemotherapy. The treatment, while arduous, began to yield remarkable results. Scans revealed that the tumors in her liver and lymph nodes had disappeared, and the chemotherapy had also significantly shrunk the primary tumor in her colon. In October 2017, she underwent surgery to remove the remaining scar tissue and lymph nodes for further testing.
The news that her body was clear of cancer was met with overwhelming emotion. “It really was a miracle,” Amber stated. “When I got the news it was all gone I cried, it took me a long time to believe.”
Living in Remission and a New Perspective
Nearly nine years later, Amber remains in remission. Her annual checkups with her oncologist are now a routine part of her life, a stark contrast to the life-or-death battle she once faced. Her experience serves as a powerful reminder that cancer knows no age boundaries and underscores the critical importance of listening to one’s body and persistently seeking medical attention when something feels wrong, even if initial assessments suggest otherwise. Amber’s story is one of survival, hope, and a profound appreciation for life, a testament to her strength and the possibility of overcoming even the most challenging medical diagnoses.
