When Allison Jenssen felt nagging pain in her lower left side a few years ago, she had no idea that the inconvenient achiness would end up leading to a colon cancer diagnosis.
The pain, intense and lingering, eventually eased, Jenssen said.
Not long after, Jenssen became pregnant with twins. Her pregnancy, although high-risk, was successful. She gave birth to her healthy babies a month early.
Months after the birth of her twins, Jenssen’s side pain returned. It was July of 2024.
“We were outside playing with the kids, and all of a sudden I felt this intense pain,” said Jenssen, who was 38 at the time. “It continued for about an hour without letting up. Finally, we decided I needed to go to the emergency department.”
There, the situation took a more serious turn.
Determining a Diagnosis
Jenssen met her husband, Fredrik, when the two were working together in an emergency room 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. Jessen completed three years of medical school alongside her husband. She eventually chose to pursue other options, but her medical education helped her fully comprehend what happened next that day in the emergency department.
A CT scan revealed a perforation at the intersection of Jenssen’s descending and sigmoid colon. Doctors discovered a 6cm mass on her colon, which led to immediate surgery.
“I knew enough to know that we were likely looking at a malignancy,” she said, referring to cancerous cells. “Why else would a 38-year-old have that happen?”
Following surgery, the pathology report confirmed Jenssen’s suspicion. In short order, she was coming to grips with a colon cancer diagnosis.
Next Steps
Good news emerged from the ordeal. Jenssen, 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.
Jenssen discussed the possibility of chemotherapy with her medical team. Her oncologist, Dr. Amir Bista, who specializes in hematology, oncology, and internal medicine with ThedaCare Cancer Care, walked her through treatment options.
“He was very informative,” she said. “We were open with him about everything. It was like he was a friend, really looking out for you.”
Dr. Bista said he aims to empower patients like Jenssen with knowledge of the pros and cons of any approach to treatment, allowing them to take the lead in decision-making.
“I strive to provide patient-centered, personalized care rather than just following a protocol,” he said. “That was the case with Allison. We wanted her to be comfortable and confident with whatever course of action we, including her as part of a collaborative team, decided to take.”
Jenssen’s presentation of the disease was atypical. She didn’t have the usual colon cancer symptoms such as changes in bowel habits or bloody stools. Jenssen also had no family history of the disease and tested negative for genetic syndromes.
Based on the success of the surgery, Jenssen could choose a surveillance approach or opt for chemotherapy. In weighing her options, she said she considered her four young kids and her desire to be there for them.
She chose chemotherapy.
“I was very happy with the care I received through ThedaCare,” she said. “It was nice to be able to stay local for my cancer care.”
Joyous Milestone
December 30, 2024, was a special day for a couple of reasons. Jenssen turned 39 and it was her last day of chemotherapy.
Nurses gathered around her to sing “Happy Birthday” with ukulele accompaniment. Family and friends were there to join Jenssen as she rang the Survivorship Bell signaling the end of cancer treatment.
“It was really beautiful because it was still decorated for Christmas,” Jenssen said. “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.”
For Jenssen, December 30 also represented an opportunity to move into the new year with a fresh start.
“I’m just feeling really grateful,” she said. “Anytime you endure a hardship like this or something unexpected, it reveals new things about yourself.”
She also reflects on the impact for her kids.
Jenssen’s 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, Jenssen said she was raised on a diet that included fast food and snack cakes. That was a sign of the times, she said, adding that 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 said. “Healthier eating, getting out and being active, these are just a few things we’re teaching the kids to give them a better chance at sparing them from repeating my experience with colon cancer.”
Paying it Forward
Jenssen’s ordeal transpired over six months. She’s still processing it. In the future, she’d like to find ways to help others who are fighting colon cancer. She noted the absence of counseling specific to that diagnosis.
“I’d like to work toward getting something like that up and going,” she said. “It helps to not feel alone. If you don’t have people here, it can be very isolating and overwhelming.”
For anyone who’s uncertain about having a colonoscopy or speaking to their doctor about a concern, Jenssen offers the following advice: “Your health is your responsibility. Remember who it affects,” she said. “Whatever is holding you back, I’d say look to your family and do it for them. That’s been my mantra throughout this – I can do anything for them.”
Dr. Bista encouraged people to make colorectal cancer screenings a priority.
“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 said. “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.”
He encouraged anyone with questions or concerns to speak with a health care provider, visit ThedaCare online to schedule a colonoscopy, or call ThedaCare Regional Cancer Center-Appleton at 920-364-3600.
