A mother asserts she was initially misdiagnosed with haemorrhoids and told she was too young to have cancer before eventually receiving the shocking news of her stage four colon cancer. Amber Kissell, aged 45, experienced fatigue, bowel complications, and unexplained weight loss following the birth of her second child. Despite presenting with blood in her stool, doctors reportedly dismissed her symptoms as a fissure or haemorrhoids. It was only after Amber developed dizziness that she underwent a colonoscopy, revealing the advanced cancer that had metastasized to her liver and lymph nodes.
Following 12 rounds of chemotherapy, Amber’s tumors vanished, and she has since maintained remission. Reflecting on her ordeal, Amber, a clinical coordinator, expressed her initial disbelief at the diagnosis due to her age, recalling the emotional toll it took on her family. Despite doctors’ earlier reassurances, Amber’s persistence led to the discovery of her life-threatening condition.
Post the birth of her daughter Isabella, Amber noticed blood in her stool and struggled with bathroom issues, which were attributed to a fissure by her primary care physician. As her symptoms worsened, including dizziness, consultations with specialists continued to yield dismissive responses regarding the possibility of colon cancer due to her age.
In March 2017, a frightening episode at work prompted Amber to seek medical attention, resulting in a colonoscopy that confirmed the aggressive cancer spread in her body. Following consultations with different specialists, Amber opted for aggressive chemotherapy, which proved successful in eliminating the tumors and improving her prognosis.
Amber’s journey to recovery included a surgical procedure to remove residual scarring and lymph nodes for testing. The miraculous outcome of the treatment brought immense relief and gratitude, allowing Amber to cherish moments with her children and embrace a life free from cancer. Today, nearly a decade later, she continues to maintain remission with only annual checkups required for monitoring her health.
