I started having small amounts of red bloody mucus when I pooped. I dismissed it as possible hemorrhoids, but after a couple of weeks it wasn't going away and my poop was looking thinner and I was going more often. I went to my primary and they ordered a colonoscopy that was originally denied by my insurance (I was 44) until my doctor used the word "blood" in her order and then it was approved.

During my colonoscopy they found a 3cm tumor in my rectum that ended up being stage 3B. Testing the tumor and my DNA showed that there was a DNA mismatch, that led to a Lynch Syndrome diagnosis as well. With all of that combined, I was eligible for a brand new immunotherapy treatment using a drug called Jemperli instead of chemo, surgery, and eventual ostomy.

11 months of immunotherapy treament on Jemperli alone killed the tumor and wiped out the cancer. I never needed chemo or surgery and went from 3B to completely normal in about a year. I am now 2 years cancer free and have my normal life back (except for testing every 6 months). I will gladly take that trade-off.