Devon from Seattle noticed something was wrong back in early 2023 when her bathroom habits changed dramatically. While working away from home in Palm Springs, she couldn’t visit her usual doctor and initially thought she was dealing with irritable bowel syndrome.
Things started small but quickly escalated. She began needing to go to the bathroom far more often—up to 15 or 20 times a day. Despite the frequent urges, she was passing little or no stool, and it often felt like her bowels weren’t fully emptying. This discomfort progressed from annoying to painful.
Searching online for answers, Devon suspected IBS but wanted medical confirmation. She contacted her doctor, who referred her to a specialist nearby. Stool tests didn’t show anything unusual and no blood was detected, which often helps signal a serious problem like colorectal cancer.
Ultimately, a colonoscopy revealed a tumor in her rectum. Noticing her stool narrowing sharply, Devon knew this symptom was serious. She was diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer, beginning treatment swiftly.
Though she showed no traditional risk signs, Devon learned cancer can occur unexpectedly. After surgery and radiation plus chemo, she initially improved but faced a recurrence the following year. She remains strong, managing treatment and focusing on daily progress.
Her story highlights the importance of not ignoring changes in bathroom habits and trusting your instincts—early detection can save lives.
