Michelle's Stage 4 Colon Cancer Story: My Symptoms were Ignored for Years! | The Patient Story
The Patient Story・2 minutes read
Michelle Cappel, a fifth-grade teacher, faced delays in her colorectal cancer diagnosis due to misattributed symptoms, eventually undergoing extensive treatment including chemotherapy and surgery to eradicate the cancer, leading to a positive outcome.
Insights
- Michelle Cappel's colorectal cancer diagnosis was delayed due to symptoms being attributed to antidepressants, highlighting the importance of thorough medical evaluation to prevent misdiagnosis and ensure timely treatment.
- Despite enduring extensive chemotherapy and surgery for stage four colorectal cancer, Michelle's perseverance and dedication to her work as a teacher underscore the resilience and strength needed to navigate the challenges of cancer treatment, emphasizing the significance of support systems and proactive measures to manage side effects effectively.
Get key ideas from YouTube videos. It’s free
Recent questions
What health challenges did Michelle face?
Chronic constipation, hemorrhoids, delayed cancer diagnosis.
Related videos
Summary
00:00
Teacher battles cancer misdiagnosis, undergoes treatment.
- Michelle Cappel, a stage four colorectal cancer patient and survivor, is a fifth-grade teacher with 17 years of experience.
- Despite experiencing chronic constipation and hemorrhoids, Michelle's symptoms were attributed to antidepressants, delaying her cancer diagnosis.
- A doctor suggested that prolonged stool in the colon could lead to polyps and potentially cancer.
- Michelle's health deteriorated, leading to excruciating stomach pain during spinning classes, prompting a visit to the ER.
- Initially misdiagnosed with kidney stones, Michelle sought a second opinion from a specialist at M.D. Anderson.
- Extensive scans and tests at M.D. Anderson revealed stage four colorectal cancer with metastasis to her ovary.
- The surgeon planned a complex resection due to tumors on both sides of Michelle's colon and rectum.
- Genetic testing ruled out hereditary factors, leaving Michelle with a grim diagnosis but a hopeful surgical plan.
- Michelle underwent six months of FOLFOX chemotherapy, enduring side effects like cold sensitivity and severe nausea.
- Despite the challenges, Michelle continued working through treatment, emphasizing the importance of precautions like wearing gloves for cold sensitivity.
14:49
Overcoming cancer: journey from diagnosis to recovery
- Weight gain shakes were prescribed to help regain lost weight, with a step beyond Ensure for weight restoration.
- Despite undergoing chemotherapy, only half of the hair was lost due to having a substantial amount initially.
- Fatigue was a significant issue, impacting work as a school teacher and necessitating assistance when visibly exhausted.
- Accumulative effects of chemotherapy led to extreme tiredness and neuropathy in hands and feet, causing falls and pain.
- A nerve block procedure aided in mobility, allowing the individual to walk and proceed to surgery for tumor removal.
- A 12-hour surgery successfully removed cancerous lymph nodes and metastasis, with a decision to perform a hysterectomy due to disease progression.
- Post-surgery, the individual was informed that the cancer was eradicated, providing relief after a challenging journey with chemotherapy and surgery.
