When Allison Jenssen felt nagging pain in her lower left side a few years ago, she couldn’t have imagined that it would eventually lead to a colon cancer diagnosis.
The pain, intense and lingering, eventually eased, Allison says.
Not long after the pain resolved, Allison became pregnant with twins. Her pregnancy, although high-risk, was successful. She gave birth to her healthy daughters a month early.
Months after the birth of her twins, Allison’s pain returned. It was July of 2024.
“We were outside playing with the kids, and all of a sudden I felt this intense pain,” she says.
When the pain remained even after an hour, Allison, 38 at the time, went to the emergency department. There, the situation took a more serious turn.
Determining a Diagnosis
Allison met her husband, Fredrik, when the two were working together in the emergency department in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Fredrik went on to become an intensivist, who now works for ThedaCare. An intensivist has specialized training for treating critically ill patients.
Allison completed three years of medical school. She eventually chose to pursue another path, but her medical education helped her fully comprehend what happened next.
A CT scan revealed a perforation at the intersection of Allison’s descending and sigmoid colon. Doctors discovered a 6cm mass on her colon, which led to emergency surgery.
“I knew enough to know that we were likely looking at a malignancy,” Allison says, referring to cancerous cells. “Why else would a 38-year-old have that happen?”
Following surgery, the pathology report confirmed Allison’s suspicion. In short order, she was coming to grips with a colon cancer diagnosis.
Next Steps
Good news did emerge from the ordeal. Allison, a mother of four, learned that the cancer hadn’t spread to her lymph nodes. In addition, doctors believed the surgery had successfully removed the cancer.
Though the news was reassuring, Allison discussed the possibility of chemotherapy with her medical team. Allison’s oncologist, Dr. Amir Bista of ThedaCare Cancer Care, walked her through treatment options.
“He was very informative,” Allison says. “We were open with him about everything. It was like he was a friend, really looking out for you.”
Dr. Bista says he aims to empower patients with knowledge of the pros and cons of any approach. Through this, he encourages them to take the lead in decision-making.
“I strive to provide patient-centered, personalized care rather than just following a protocol,” he says.
Big Decisions
Allison’s presentation of the disease was unusual. She didn’t have the typical colon cancer symptoms of changes in bowel habits or bloody stools. Allison also had no family history of the disease and tested negative for genetic syndromes.
Based on the success of the surgery, Allison could choose a surveillance approach or opt for chemotherapy. In weighing her options, she says she considered her four young kids and her desire to be there for them. That led her to choose chemotherapy.
“I was very happy with the care I received through ThedaCare,” Allison says. “It was nice to be able to stay local for my cancer care.”
Joyous Milestone
Dec. 30, 2024, was a special day for a couple of reasons. Allison turned 39, and it was her last day of chemo. Her treatment was tough, but she’d made it.
Nurses gathered around to sing “Happy Birthday” with ukulele accompaniment. Friends arrived with cookies and balloons. Allison’s mom was in town. She joined with Allison and her two older kids to ring the customary bell marking the end of cancer treatment.
“It was really beautiful because it was still decorated for Christmas,” Allison says. “You know the next few days are going to be rough, but it was such a weight lifted off my shoulders. We’re done. This is going to be in the past.”
Into the Future
For Allison, Dec. 30, 2024, also represented an opportunity to move into the new year with a fresh start.
“I’m just feeling really grateful,” she says. “Anytime you endure a hardship like this or something unexpected, it reveals new things about yourself.”
Allison also reflects on the impact for her kids. Her children will need to start undergoing colonoscopies at 28, which is 10 years younger than her diagnosis age. This follows recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
A millennial born in the 1980s, Allison says she was raised on a diet that included plenty of processed fare, including fast food and snack cakes. That was a sign of the times, she says, but she’s looking to do better for her own kids.
“I want them to be more aware of how those things can affect you in the future and to know that it’s important to take care of your body the best you can,” she says.
Allison’s ordeal transpired over a quick six months, and she’s still processing it all. In the future, she’d like to find ways to help others who are fighting colon cancer. She noted the absence of counseling and support groups specific to that diagnosis.
“I’d like to work toward getting something like that up and going,” she says. “It helps to not feel alone. If you don’t have people here, it can be very isolating and overwhelming.”
Message to Others
For anyone who’s uncertain about having a colonoscopy or speaking to their doctor about a concern, Allison offers some advice: Your health is your responsibility, and remember who it affects.
“Whatever is holding you back, I’d say look to your family and do it for them,” she says. “That’s been my mantra throughout this: I can do anything for them.”
Dr. Bista also encourages people to stay on top of colorectal cancer screening and to report any concerning symptoms.
“Advanced colorectal cancer may present with multiple signs or symptoms, but the early-stage disease may have subtle signs that are easy to overlook,” he says. “It’s important to do appropriate screenings at the recommended intervals to find these lesions and have the ability to cure or prevent colorectal cancer.”
