My first symptoms appeared after my 2nd son’s birth. My frequency of going to the bathroom increased, I went to the GI doctor and asked for a colonoscopy but at age 32 and with no family history, I was denied a colonoscopy and told to decrease my stressors. While I was pregnant with my daughter at age 36, my symptoms worsened, I found myself going to the bathroom a lot more, no pain and no blood, but increased urgency. After her birth I gave my body time to adjust and went back to the doctor, I asked again for a colonoscopy and this time he agreed. My first colonoscopy was July 30, 2024. I woke up from the anesthesia to the doctor telling me he was so happy I asked for a colonoscopy and that this needed to come out immediately.

My lower anterior resection surgery was 8/15/24, my emergency diverting ileostomy was 8/26/24.