Ostomy: 87 Real Stories

87 stories match ostomy. 86 of them mention surgery.

Tommy, who was diagnosed with Stage III Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage III MSI-High Colorectal Cancer: Tommy's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Tommy Allen, Male, 50s | Stage III

Biomarkers: MSI-high; Lynch syndrome

As of November 2025, Tommy was cancer-free 5 years after pembrolizumab, ileostomy, Whipple procedure, partial colectomy, and ileostomy closure for Stage III MSI-high colon cancer with Lynch syndrome.

MD Anderson
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
Rylie, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Rylie's Patient Story

Patient Info: Rylie, Female, Under 40 | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: liver

Rylie was recovering from emergency surgery, adapting to an ostomy, and preserving fertility after a new Stage IV colon cancer diagnosis; systemic treatment response was not stated.

The Patient Story
OutcomeCare Ongoing
Shiva, who was diagnosed with Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Colorectal Cancer: Shiva's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Shiva Sharma, Male, 40s

As of September 2025, Shiva described being told he was cancer-free after surgery and continued follow-up with scans every 6 months and regular colonoscopy.

The Patient Story
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
Devon, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Devon's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Devon, Female, Under 40 | Stage IV

Devon first reached no evidence of disease in February 2024, then had a Stage IV recurrence in August 2024. After additional chemotherapy and radiation ending January 2025, her June 2025 scans, bloodwork, and tumor markers were clear or negative.

The Patient Story
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
Dan, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Dan's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Dan Trombley, Male, Under 40 | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: Liver; portal vein; duodenum

As of July 2025, after Stage IV colon cancer that had spread through much of the liver and involved the portal vein and duodenum, Dan’s cancer had not returned and he had regained strength, returned to work, and welcomed a daughter in 2023.

City of Hope
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
Crystal, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Crystal's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Crystal, Female | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: Bladder involvement

As of May 2025, Crystal was living after major surgery for Stage IV colon cancer involving the bladder, with both colostomy and urostomy bags and an emphasis on mental health, support, and quality of life.

The Patient Story
OutcomeSurvivorship / Completed Treatment
Monica, who was diagnosed with Stage I Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage I Colorectal Cancer: Monica's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Monica Dean, Female, 40s | Stage I

As of April 2025, Monica was disease-free after Stage I colorectal cancer was removed with lower anterior resection; pathology showed clean margins and no lymph node involvement, and she did not need chemotherapy or radiation.

The Patient Story
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
Chloe, who was diagnosed with Stage III Colorectal AdenocarcinomaColorectal Cancer

Stage III Colorectal Adenocarcinoma: Chloe's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Chloe, Female | Stage III

Biomarkers: Familial adenomatous polyposis

As of April 2025, Chloe was in remission after emergency surgery with a stoma and 4 rounds of IV/oral chemotherapy for Stage III FAP-associated colon adenocarcinoma.

The Patient Story
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
Heather, who was diagnosed with Stage III Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage III Colorectal Cancer: Heather's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Heather Russell, Female, Under 40 | Stage III

In her fifth year of remission at the time of the 2025 story after treatment for Stage III rectal cancer; she had returned to family and working life, with some lasting treatment effects.

Cleveland Clinic
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
Edie, who was diagnosed with Stage III Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Edie: Stage III Colorectal Cancer

Patient Info: Edie, Female, 50s | Stage III

As of March 2025, Edie had recovered after chemotherapy, radiation, lower anterior resection, temporary ileostomy, and reversal; lymph nodes were negative, margins were clean, and follow-up scans and colonoscopies had remained clear.

The Patient Story
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
Wendy, who was diagnosed with Stage III Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage III Colorectal Cancer: Wendy's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Wendy Harpp, Female, 50s | Stage III

Wendy completed multimodal treatment in 2020 and later became an active colorectal-cancer advocate; current surveillance results and recurrence status were not reported.

Fight Colorectal Cancer
OutcomeSurvivorship / Completed Treatment
Jose, who was diagnosed with Stage III Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage III Colorectal Cancer: Jose's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Jose Santos, Male, 40s | Stage III

As of December 2024, more than 2 years after surgery for Stage III colorectal cancer, Jose had no evidence of disease, had adapted well to his ileostomy, and no longer had ulcerative colitis symptoms.

City of Hope
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
Jazz, who was diagnosed with Stage III Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage III Colorectal Cancer: Jazz's Patient Story

Patient Info: Jazz Page, Male | Stage III

As of November 2024, Jazz was still in active treatment planning with radiation, oral chemotherapy pills, and final surgery expected; no post-treatment remission status was reported.

The Patient Story
OutcomeCare Ongoing
Jessenia, who was diagnosed with Stage III Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage III Colorectal Cancer: Jessenia's Patient Story

Patient Info: Jessenia, Female, Under 40 | Stage III

As of September 2024, Jessenia had completed major treatment steps and was adapting to the physical and emotional effects of treatment, including a temporary colostomy; a clear remission/NED status was not stated.

The Patient Story
OutcomeCare Ongoing
Tracy, who was diagnosed with Stage 0 Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage 0 Colorectal Cancer: Tracy's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Tracy Robert, Female, 40s | Stage 0

Biomarkers: Chemotherapy metabolism gene variant reported; exact gene not stated

As of August 2024, Tracy was a long-term survivor. After chemoradiation and surgery, pathology showed Stage 0/no remaining cancer, and no recurrence was reported.

The Patient Story
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
Jessica, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Jessica's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Jessica Dazzler, Female, Under 40 | Stage IV

Biomarkers: FoundationOne testing performed; exact mutation not stated

Metastatic Site: lungs, spine, rib

As of May 2024, Jessica said it took 3 years and 4 months to reach no evidence of disease after Stage IV colorectal cancer, though she remained anxious about future scans and possible circulating cancer.

The Patient Story
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
Andrea, who was diagnosed with Stage III Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage III Colorectal Cancer: Andrea's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Andrea, Female, Under 40 | Stage III

As of May 2024, Andrea had completed radiation with continuous 5-FU, 8 intensive chemotherapy infusions, tumor surgery with temporary ileostomy, and ileostomy reversal; a liver-lesion scare was a false alarm and she was cancer-free.

The Patient Story
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
Andrea, who was diagnosed with Stage III Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage III colorectal cancer: remission after treatment

Patient Info: Andrea, Female, Under 40 | Stage III

As of May 2024, Andrea described being in remission since June 2022, with no cancer seen on follow-up scans and tumor DNA tests remaining negative during close 3-month surveillance.

The Patient Story
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
Michael, who was diagnosed with Stage III Colorectal AdenocarcinomaColorectal Cancer

Stage III Colorectal Adenocarcinoma: Michael's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Michael Holtz, Male, 40s | Stage III

Michael reported that capecitabine with radiation, surgery, and FOLFOX worked for him; current surveillance findings and recurrence status were not provided.

Fight Colorectal Cancer
OutcomeSurvivorship / Completed Treatment
Linda, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Linda's Patient Story

Patient Info: Linda Hartong, Female, 40s | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: liver

Linda was feeling well enough to continue treatment after right liver resection and 10 chemotherapy cycles, with further surgery and 2 final cycles planned.

Fight Colorectal Cancer
OutcomeCare Ongoing
Jason, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Jason Randall: stage IV colorectal cancer and liver metastases

Patient Info: Jason Randall, Male, Under 40 | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: Liver; lung; tailbone/sacrum/pelvis

As of March 2024, Jason was 2.5 years off chemotherapy and 16 months with no evidence of disease after treatment for Stage IV rectosigmoid colorectal cancer.

City of Hope
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
Jelena, who was diagnosed with Stage III Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage III Colorectal Cancer: Jelena's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Jelena, Female, Under 40 | Stage III

As of January 2024, Jelena was on annual follow-up after Stage III rectal cancer treatment, with her latest colonoscopy showing no polyps or suspicious findings.

The Patient Story
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
Dania, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Dania's Patient Story

Patient Info: Dania, Female, Under 40 | Stage IV

Biomarkers: Not reported; pathology supported Keytruda eligibility

Metastatic Site: Liver; peritoneum

As of December 2023, Dania had Stage IV colon cancer but described an excellent response to Keytruda, successful colon/hernia surgery, and successful liver surgery while still healing and continuing follow-up.

The Patient Story
OutcomeResponding Well
Loralee, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage IV BRAF Colorectal Cancer: Loralee's Patient Story

Patient Info: Loralee Lovell, Female | Stage IV

Biomarkers: BRAF mutation; microsatellite stable

Metastatic Site: liver|lungs|lymph nodes|peritoneal lining

Loralee continued treatment for metastatic colon cancer for several years and died on May 26, 2026.

Fight Colorectal Cancer
OutcomeIn Memory