A mom of six ignored these 4 symptoms—what she learned about cancer could save lives
- Replies 0
Elaine Griffin thought she was just dealing with the normal aches and pains of getting older. The New Jersey mom of six chalked up her discomfort to diet issues, stress, or simply aging.
But what she didn’t know was that her body was trying to sound the alarm—and she almost missed it.
At 44, Elaine was diagnosed with stage 2b colon cancer. Now cancer-free, she’s speaking out in hopes that others will listen to the signs she once ignored—before it’s too late.
In the fall of 2023, Elaine believed her abdominal pain was just a food sensitivity. She even started a journal to track possible triggers.
“It was one of those things where I knew something was going on, but I didn’t see it was anything more than, ‘OK, maybe I’m just getting older,’” she told the New York Post.
But the discomfort became unbearable—like “glass going through my intestines.” In response, she eliminated dairy, bread, grains, and pasta. It didn’t help.
Related article: 8 early signs of Parkinson’s you shouldn’t ignore—what experts want you to know
“It was very hard to sit, stand, and use the bathroom,” she shared. Her stool also became narrow, a common warning sign often linked to colon issues.
“I was not exercising or consciously trying to lose weight,” she said. “I did begin to associate food with pain.”
Related article: Watch out: A doctor reveals little-known signs you’re moments away from a heart attack
“I started to feel more exhausted doing very normal things—climbing a flight of stairs, walking down a hallway, things that would never, ever cause any kind of stress,” she explained.
During her colonoscopy, doctors discovered a large tumor obstructing her colon, making it impossible to complete the procedure.
In April 2024, she received her diagnosis: colon cancer.
Thankfully, after undergoing treatment, Elaine is now cancer-free.
Have you or someone you love missed a warning sign that turned out to be serious? How do you stay proactive with your health? Share your story in the comments—your words could help someone catch something early.
Also read: Discover the silent killers: A doctor exposes cancer signs everyone is missing!
But what she didn’t know was that her body was trying to sound the alarm—and she almost missed it.
At 44, Elaine was diagnosed with stage 2b colon cancer. Now cancer-free, she’s speaking out in hopes that others will listen to the signs she once ignored—before it’s too late.
The four red flags she brushed off—and why you shouldn’t
Elaine’s symptoms crept in quietly, showing up in ways many of us might dismiss or explain away. Here’s what she experienced before her diagnosis:1. Severe intestinal pain
A woman was diagnosed with stage 2b colon cancer, now she’s sharing the warning signs. Image source: Ivan Aleksic / Unsplash
In the fall of 2023, Elaine believed her abdominal pain was just a food sensitivity. She even started a journal to track possible triggers.
“It was one of those things where I knew something was going on, but I didn’t see it was anything more than, ‘OK, maybe I’m just getting older,’” she told the New York Post.
But the discomfort became unbearable—like “glass going through my intestines.” In response, she eliminated dairy, bread, grains, and pasta. It didn’t help.
Related article: 8 early signs of Parkinson’s you shouldn’t ignore—what experts want you to know
2. Blood in stool
Next came troubling bowel changes. Elaine noticed blood every time she went to the bathroom, along with intense bloating and abdominal pressure.“It was very hard to sit, stand, and use the bathroom,” she shared. Her stool also became narrow, a common warning sign often linked to colon issues.
3. Rapid, unexplained weight loss
Without changing her diet or activity level, Elaine lost 20 pounds in just one month.“I was not exercising or consciously trying to lose weight,” she said. “I did begin to associate food with pain.”
Related article: Watch out: A doctor reveals little-known signs you’re moments away from a heart attack
4. Crushing fatigue
As a busy mom of six, feeling tired wasn’t unusual—but this was different.“I started to feel more exhausted doing very normal things—climbing a flight of stairs, walking down a hallway, things that would never, ever cause any kind of stress,” she explained.
A failed colonoscopy and a life-changing diagnosis
Eventually, the symptoms pushed Elaine to seek medical care at RWJBarnabas Health in New Jersey.During her colonoscopy, doctors discovered a large tumor obstructing her colon, making it impossible to complete the procedure.
In April 2024, she received her diagnosis: colon cancer.
Thankfully, after undergoing treatment, Elaine is now cancer-free.
Also read: Discover the silent killers: A doctor exposes cancer signs everyone is missing!
