Helen Demestihas
Patient/Survivor |
Rectal - Stage IV |
Age at Diagnosis: 49
I spent the entire month of May 2024 treating what I thought was a UTI — possibly related to the onset of menopause. But at 49 years old, wasn’t I too young for menopause? By June, the symptoms eased, but I began experiencing GI issues. I ignored them as much as I could; they would come and go, and I truly believed I was getting better. I already had a gynecologist appointment scheduled for July 9, where I planned to talk about what I assumed was something hormonal.
During the pelvic exam, my doctor felt a large mass near my pelvic and rectal area and immediately sent me for an ultrasound. The ultrasound came back normal. Still, she trusted her intuition and sent me for a CT scan. That’s when I received the call no one ever wants to get:
“I am so sorry, but I’ve got some bad news… A 7cm tumor has been confirmed.”
Helen Demestihas
Patient/Survivor |
Rectal - Stage IV |
Age at Diagnosis: 49
I spent the entire month of May 2024 treating what I thought was a UTI — possibly related to the onset of menopause. But at 49 years old, wasn’t I too young for menopause? By June, the symptoms eased, but I began experiencing GI issues. I ignored them as much as I could; they would come and go, and I truly believed I was getting better. I already had a gynecologist appointment scheduled for July 9, where I planned to talk about what I assumed was something hormonal.
During the pelvic exam, my doctor felt a large mass near my pelvic and rectal area and immediately sent me for an ultrasound. The ultrasound came back normal. Still, she trusted her intuition and sent me for a CT scan. That’s when I received the call no one ever wants to get:
“I am so sorry, but I’ve got some bad news… A 7cm tumor has been confirmed.”
"Keep fighting! You are much stronger than the cancer- trust in that!!"
Helen Demestihas
Patient/Survivor |
Rectal - Stage IV |
Age at Diagnosis: 49
I spent the entire month of May 2024 treating what I thought was a UTI — possibly related to the onset of menopause. But at 49 years old, wasn’t I too young for menopause? By June, the symptoms eased, but I began experiencing GI issues. I ignored them as much as I could; they would come and go, and I truly believed I was getting better. I already had a gynecologist appointment scheduled for July 9, where I planned to talk about what I assumed was something hormonal.
During the pelvic exam, my doctor felt a large mass near my pelvic and rectal area and immediately sent me for an ultrasound. The ultrasound came back normal. Still, she trusted her intuition and sent me for a CT scan. That’s when I received the call no one ever wants to get:
“I am so sorry, but I’ve got some bad news… A 7cm tumor has been confirmed.”
"Keep fighting! You are much stronger than the cancer- trust in that!!"
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