Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Taylor was 19, and halfway through her sophomore year at Purdue, when blood in her stool and irregular bowel movements showed up out of nowhere. Two and a half weeks later, she was sitting in a room with both parents and a doctor on speakerphone, hearing the word "malignant." She was diagnosed with Stage 3C rectal cancer — and months into treatment, a genetic test revealed Lynch syndrome, a hereditary condition none of her doctors expected to find.
This is the story of six weeks of radiation, a chemo bag that became a constant companion, a 14-hour surgery, and the impossible decisions about fertility and family that came after. Thirteen and a half years later, Taylor is sharing it all so no one going through this feels as alone as she once did.
Thank you, Taylor, for sharing your story to help others.
#cancerpatient #cancersurvivor #patientstories #thepatientstory #cancertreatment #cancerprevention #cancersymptoms
The Patient Story:
The Patient Story is led by a dedicated team of medical, editorial, and video experts, committed to authentically portraying the cancer patient experience. Sharing your story holds transformative power, culturally and personally. We handle each narrative with utmost care, compassion, and scientific rigor.
Our editorial process adheres to the highest journalistic standards, ensuring medically researched, vetted, and fact-checked content. Backed by experienced medical professionals, we offer insights into the latest medical advancements.
Beyond patient narratives, we provide comprehensive coverage of cancer news and medical resources. From symptoms to clinical trials, insurance, finances, and support groups, we offer guidance in a humanized manner.
Chapters:
00:00 Rectal Cancer Symptoms in a 19-Year-Old: Early Warning Signs
00:51 Life Before Diagnosis: A Typical College Sophomore at Purdue
01:24 Symptoms Persist: Scheduling a Colonoscopy and an ER Visit
02:23 Painful Digital Exam Reveals a Mass — Colonoscopy Gets Expedited
04:53 The Diagnosis: "We Found a Malignant Tumor"
06:00 Stage 3C Colorectal Cancer: A Life-Changing Diagnosis
07:24 Choosing a Treatment Team and Joining a Clinical Trial
09:50 Chemo, Radiation, and Life With a Chemo Bag
10:38 14-Hour Surgery: Colon Removal and the Ileostomy Decision
11:52 Lynch Syndrome: A Genetic Cause of Colorectal Cancer
15:35 Fertility Preservation and Family-Planning Decisions at 19
18:47 Hysterectomy at 25, Life Today, and Colon Cancer Awareness
Join Our Community:
Sign up for our FREE website: thepatientstory.com
Facebook: facebook.com/thepatientstory
Instagram: instagram.com/thepatientstory
Twitter: twitter.com/Patient_Story
TikTok: tiktok.com/@patientstory
To watch more colorectal cancer stories, click here: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX_-dE9R0W4pjwiSCGgiwxz7LvcLzNVJl
Taylor was 19, and halfway through her sophomore year at Purdue, when blood in her stool and irregular bowel movements showed up out of nowhere. Two and a half weeks later, she was sitting in a room with both parents and a doctor on speakerphone, hearing the word "malignant." She was diagnosed with Stage 3C rectal cancer — and months into treatment, a genetic test revealed Lynch syndrome, a hereditary condition none of her doctors expected to find.
This is the story of six weeks of radiation, a chemo bag that became a constant companion, a 14-hour surgery, and the impossible decisions about fertility and family that came after. Thirteen and a half years later, Taylor is sharing it all so no one going through this feels as alone as she once did.
Thank you, Taylor, for sharing your story to help others.
#cancerpatient #cancersurvivor #patientstories #thepatientstory #cancertreatment #cancerprevention #cancersymptoms
The Patient Story:
The Patient Story is led by a dedicated team of medical, editorial, and video experts, committed to authentically portraying the cancer patient experience. Sharing your story holds transformative power, culturally and personally. We handle each narrative with utmost care, compassion, and scientific rigor.
Our editorial process adheres to the highest journalistic standards, ensuring medically researched, vetted, and fact-checked content. Backed by experienced medical professionals, we offer insights into the latest medical advancements.
Beyond patient narratives, we provide comprehensive coverage of cancer news and medical resources. From symptoms to clinical trials, insurance, finances, and support groups, we offer guidance in a humanized manner.
Chapters:
00:00 Rectal Cancer Symptoms in a 19-Year-Old: Early Warning Signs
00:51 Life Before Diagnosis: A Typical College Sophomore at Purdue
01:24 Symptoms Persist: Scheduling a Colonoscopy and an ER Visit
02:23 Painful Digital Exam Reveals a Mass — Colonoscopy Gets Expedited
04:53 The Diagnosis: "We Found a Malignant Tumor"
06:00 Stage 3C Colorectal Cancer: A Life-Changing Diagnosis
07:24 Choosing a Treatment Team and Joining a Clinical Trial
09:50 Chemo, Radiation, and Life With a Chemo Bag
10:38 14-Hour Surgery: Colon Removal and the Ileostomy Decision
11:52 Lynch Syndrome: A Genetic Cause of Colorectal Cancer
15:35 Fertility Preservation and Family-Planning Decisions at 19
18:47 Hysterectomy at 25, Life Today, and Colon Cancer Awareness
Join Our Community:
Sign up for our FREE website: thepatientstory.com
Facebook: facebook.com/thepatientstory
Instagram: instagram.com/thepatientstory
Twitter: twitter.com/Patient_Story
TikTok: tiktok.com/@patientstory
To watch more colorectal cancer stories, click here: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX_-dE9R0W4pjwiSCGgiwxz7LvcLzNVJl
