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Survivor Stories

Survivor: Kim Ramstetter

For over a decade, I was the single mom of two beautiful daughters, Jessica and Jennifer. Then, God smiled down upon me and in November of 2003, I married Zach, the love of my life, and the four of us settled into my little house. Soon after, the four of us became five when, in June of 2004, Rebekah was born. We decided to try for another and toward the end of 2005 I was pregnant again. I soon began experiencing unusual symptoms including abdominal pain, rectal bleeding and the urge to push similar to that of child birth. My uterus had always been full of benign fibroid tumors, which could be the source of discomfort. In the case of rectal bleeding, being nearly 40 years old, the general consensus was hemorrhoids due to my maternal age. After Rachel was born the vaginal bleeding did not cease; the doctor said it was because of the tumors. In November of 2006, I went through a full abdominal hysterectomy, believing I could finally be relieved of the pain and bleeding. At my six week check, my OB/GYN told me that the persistent pain, the small amount rectal bleeding, and bowel irregularities should resolve. If it didn't within three months, I was advised to see my primary care physician. But something didn't feel right. I saw someone within a few days for a more concrete analysis.

Upon further examination, my primary care physician found no reason for the rectal bleeding I had been experiencing and scheduled me for a colonoscopy the following week. A colonoscopy is obviously not something to look forward to, as it violates several comfort boundaries, but I prepared myself the best I could. The procedure was unbelievably short and simple. As we sat in the recovery room, I nursed my six month old daughter. The doctor knocked softly and entered the room. He took a breath. My ears became numb and started ringing loudly as he revealed he had found a large tumor in my sigmoid colon. I had colon cancer.

The same day as the colonoscopy procedure, the doctor arranged for me to receive x-rays, blood tests and a cat scan. While waiting for the results, my husband and I discussed the reality of the situation. Surely after having a full abdominal hysterectomy only seven weeks prior, I couldn't be choke full of cancer, right? They would've found something months ago if that were the case. Right?

The call came in. The news: I had Stage 4 colon cancer which had metastasized to my liver and part of my lung. I was terminally ill and according to the doctor, I had approximately two and a half years—with treatment—to live. I decided to try a drug study, opting for the Colorado Cancer Research Program, a study recommended by my oncologist. I felt that if I could help a mother stay with her babies, it would be well worth it.

Thirteen months later, I'm still in chemotherapy and going strong. I've had miraculous results so far; I just reached my 50% reduction rate and my cancer marker, which began at 584, has been within normal limits for eight months now, 1.0 most recently.

I will always live with the "what ifs." What if I'd found out sooner? What if I'd insisted on a full examination earlier than I did? But to dwell on these questions would be detrimental to my health and that's the last thing a woman of my circumstance needs. I can only hope to urge anyone with unusual stool for more than two weeks to take charge and insist on an examination. It could save the integral piece of a family. It could save a life.

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