A mother has shared her journey of being initially misdiagnosed with haemorrhoids due to being deemed “too young” for cancer before eventually receiving a devastating stage four colon cancer diagnosis. Amber Kissell, 45, experienced symptoms like fatigue, bowel problems, unexplained weight loss, and blood in her stool after giving birth to her second child. Despite doctors dismissing her concerns as haemorrhoids or a fissure, Amber persisted and underwent a colonoscopy, revealing the advanced cancer that had spread to her liver and lymph nodes.
Following 12 rounds of chemotherapy, Amber’s tumors vanished, and she has since been in remission. Recalling her ordeal, Amber, a clinical coordinator, expressed her initial disbelief and fear upon learning the severity of her condition. Despite being told she was too young for cancer, her persistence led to the life-saving diagnosis and treatment plan.
Amber’s health struggles began postpartum with her second child, Isabella, in 2015. Despite exhibiting alarming symptoms like blood in her stool and extreme fatigue, medical professionals attributed her issues to a fissure and dismissed her concerns. As her symptoms worsened and dizziness set in, a colorectal surgeon continued to misdiagnose her with haemorrhoids, further delaying the crucial cancer diagnosis.
The turning point came in March 2017 when Amber, experiencing a dizzy spell at work, sought medical help, leading to the discovery of the advanced cancer. Subsequent treatments involved aggressive chemotherapy that eventually eradicated the tumors, leading to a surgery to remove remaining traces of the disease.
Amber’s perseverance and the support of compassionate specialists resulted in a miraculous recovery, with scans confirming the successful elimination of cancerous growths. Grateful for a second chance at life, Amber emphasizes the importance of advocating for one’s health and seeking multiple opinions when faced with medical uncertainties. Today, nearly a decade later, Amber remains cancer-free, only requiring annual check-ups to monitor her health.