Meredith Huetter is a Stage III rectal cancer survivor who was diagnosed at age 46—before the recommended screening age for colorectal cancer was lowered and despite having no family history of the disease. Her diagnosis came after nearly nine months of symptoms being dismissed as stress and common “women’s issues,” reinforcing the importance of trusting your body and advocating for answers.
In March 2020, Meredith began experiencing gastrointestinal changes, including blood in her stool and a noticeable change in her bowel habits. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, she initially attributed the symptoms to stress. When they persisted, she visited her physician and was told the issues were likely related to stress, diet changes, or a flare-up of hemorrhoids from a pregnancy more than a decade earlier. Months later, with no improvement, Meredith pushed for additional testing. A diagnostic CT scan quickly led to her first colonoscopy—where she received the life-changing news that she had rectal cancer.
Meredith began treatment in early 2021 with Total Neoadjuvant Therapy (TNT), starting with 28 days of chemoradiation followed by six months of FOLFOX chemotherapy. Despite challenging side effects such as fatigue, nausea, and cold sensitivity, she completed treatment while using strategies like icing her hands, feet, and mouth during infusions to help reduce neuropathy.
After scans showed the tumor had shrunk but not disappeared, Meredith underwent abdominoperineal resection (APR) surgery, resulting in a permanent colostomy.Now more than four years post-surgery, Meredith remains grateful to hear the words No Evidence of Disease (NED) and shares her story to encourage others to listen to their bodies, advocate for themselves, and talk openly about colorectal health.