Aug 14 2024 10 mins
Kristen Van de Geer was living in Alaska, where her husband was stationed in the Coast Guard, and was experiencing stomach pains. As a teenager, she was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome or IBS, but with a family history of colon cancer and her mother’s passing in 2017 from gallbladder cancer, she wanted to be sure that nothing else was wrong. For 5 years, she was given different reasons for her stomach pains but never referred for the colonoscopy. Eventually, Kristin got her gallbladder removed.
· In 2022 a doctor agreed to perform a colonoscopy too. A single “wonky polyp” was discovered which led to a rectal cancer diagnosis in early 2023.
· Now living in Massachusetts, Kristen followed a chemotherapy treatment plan and had two surgeries: one to remove the polyp and one for a resection. Kristen’s focus on seeking and embracing joy during treatment helped her through the most difficult times. She is grateful for the unwavering support of her husband, her sisters, and extended friends and family who showed up for her - and still show up - in the most beautiful ways.
· For the past 8 months, she has been out of treatment and feeling better. Kristen’s diagnosis encouraged her three sisters to seek screenings as well. One sister was able to catch an advanced polyp that doctors estimated was within months of turning cancerous. Through genetic testing, which her sister Juliette received first, it was discovered that three of them have a genetic mutation that makes them more likely to be diagnosed with colon cancer. Kristen feels grateful for the genetic testing options provided at Dana-Farber, both to her and her sisters.
Kristen loves crocheting stuffed animals, like highland cows and mermaids and advocates for screening awareness to anyone who will listen