I Have Stage 4 Colorectal Most cancers. Now I Face an Unattainable Choice

[ad_1] Joe Faratzis is a former TV producer in California who was identified with colorectal most cancers at 29. Lately, the variety of younger folks identified with colorectal most cancers has risen sharply. Faratzis, who posts about his most cancers journey on a well-liked TikTok account, shared his story with Newsweek to lift consciousness of what it is prefer to reside with most cancers as a youngster, and to share extra concerning the troublesome choices he is needed to make about his therapy.

I used to be identified with colorectal most cancers in 2019. In the beginning blew up, I used to be residing a traditional 29-year-old life. I used to be in good well being. I used to be figuring out persistently. I ate properly. I labored full-time as a producer for TMZ. I assumed I used to be caring for myself.

One of many first issues I observed was a slight ache in my backside proper stomach once I would bend over within the morning, tying my sneakers and preparing for work. It was like just a little cinch. And I observed purple blood once I went to the toilet. I assumed it was simply hemorrhoids. I brushed it off, considering it was no massive deal. However each signs started to occur extra persistently, and I ultimately introduced them as much as my physician.

<img id="11331303" alt="" caption="Joe Faratsiz was 29 years old when he was diagnosed with colorectal cancer." credit="Courtesy Joe Faratzis" sourcealt="" sources="[]" fetchpriority="auto" loading="lazy" width="2316" height="3088" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" src="color:transparent;aspect-ratio:inherit;object-fit:cover" sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 1536px, (min-width: 768px) 768px, 100vw" srcset="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Joe-Faratzis-1-rotated.jpeg?w=640&quality=80&webp=1 640w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Joe-Faratzis-1-rotated.jpeg?w=750&quality=80&webp=1 750w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Joe-Faratzis-1-rotated.jpeg?w=1000&quality=80&webp=1 1000w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Joe-Faratzis-1-rotated.jpeg?w=1200&quality=80&webp=1 1200w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Joe-Faratzis-1-rotated.jpeg?w=1360&quality=80&webp=1 1360w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Joe-Faratzis-1-rotated.jpeg?w=1600&quality=80&webp=1 1600w" bad-src="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Joe-Faratzis-1-rotated.jpeg?w=1600&quality=80&webp=1"/> My main physician positioned an order for a colonoscopy. After I wakened after the process, the physician mentioned they’d discovered the explanation for the blood. They confirmed me the pictures they took of a big tumor on my colon. A part of me was relieved they'd discovered one thing. They knew there was a problem now and so they may possibly repair it, I assumed. I requested, “What does this imply? Surgical procedure?” I had one million questions and my physician didn’t have all of the solutions, which made the analysis much more troublesome. There have been so many unknowns at that time. He informed me I would want an ileostomy, a surgical opening in your stomach that modifications the way in which waste leaves your physique. That was what scared me probably the most.

After that first colonoscopy, I had one million different appointments. I met with an oncologist, then a colorectal surgeon. I began radiation therapy, together with oral chemotherapy. The aim was to shrink the tumor earlier than surgical procedure to take away a part of my colon. I had the colon resection, and the surgeon diverted my giant gut by my stomach; I had a short lived ileostomy whereas my insides healed from the surgical procedure. This all occurred throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Quickly thereafter, scans confirmed the most cancers had unfold to my liver and my lungs. It was now stage 4. I had a liver ablation, the place medical doctors burned out some cancerous spots on my liver. Over the subsequent few years, totally different lung nodules popped up on scans; I had a number of lung surgical procedures to take away them.

Then, lastly, my well being struggles calmed down. For the previous couple years, I’d been getting clear scans. Issues have been wanting good. My associate and I had a daughter. However I started to really feel like one thing was unsuitable. I preemptively stop my job, sensing that one thing was about to go down. Then, about six months in the past, one in all my CT scans confirmed one thing on my lungs. My oncologist ordered a PET scan to get a greater look. That scan didn’t present something in my lungs, however it did present a big tumor regrowing in the identical actual spot it initially grew on my colon.

<img id="11331319" alt="" caption="Faratzis with his 2-year-old daughter." credit="Courtesy Joe Faratzis" sourcealt="" sources="[]" fetchpriority="auto" loading="lazy" width="2316" height="3088" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" src="color:transparent;aspect-ratio:inherit;object-fit:cover" sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 1536px, (min-width: 768px) 768px, 100vw" srcset="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Joe-Faratzis-and-baby-2-rotated.jpg?w=640&quality=80&webp=1 640w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Joe-Faratzis-and-baby-2-rotated.jpg?w=750&quality=80&webp=1 750w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Joe-Faratzis-and-baby-2-rotated.jpg?w=1000&quality=80&webp=1 1000w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Joe-Faratzis-and-baby-2-rotated.jpg?w=1200&quality=80&webp=1 1200w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Joe-Faratzis-and-baby-2-rotated.jpg?w=1360&quality=80&webp=1 1360w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Joe-Faratzis-and-baby-2-rotated.jpg?w=1600&quality=80&webp=1 1600w" bad-src="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Joe-Faratzis-and-baby-2-rotated.jpg?w=1600&quality=80&webp=1"/> Since then, it’s been a whirlwind. My oncologist desires to take away my bladder, rectum and prostate. The surgeons—I’ve talked to a couple now—inform me issues like, “Oh, you’ll get used to the (colostomy) luggage.” However I understand how completely life-shattering that surgical procedure could be. Shedding my sexual operate, my bodily autonomy, having a number of luggage completely on my physique … it’s lots. Individuals have mentioned to me, “I’d do something for my children,” as if to say: Suck it up and do it. And I get that and I really feel the identical, however I'm additionally making an attempt to consider what sort of mindset I'd have if that was my life. Would I even really feel like myself? Would I lose my will? It’s very simple for somebody to say, “It’s not that unhealthy, it’s a bag!” However there are real-life penalties to those choices, and my high quality of life must be a consideration.

So, I’ve began scientific trials which have been exhibiting promising outcomes for my most cancers sort with immunotherapy. The quantity of labor and analysis that falls to sufferers is absolutely loopy. In the end, it’s on you to search out the fitting medical doctors and push for solutions, or, in case you’re not happy with the choices you’re given, to search out new ones—whether or not that’s researching scientific trials and sharing that info along with your medical doctors, or calling totally different surgical procedure facilities for second opinions. It’s lots to navigate. I’ve come near being accepted into a number of scientific trials, however on the final minute, I don’t get in, for varied causes. I’ve had the rug pulled out from underneath me so many occasions now.

<img id="11331338" alt="" caption="Faratzis has had multiple surgeries and procedures since his diagnosis." credit="Courtesy Joe Faratzis" sourcealt="" sources="[]" fetchpriority="auto" loading="lazy" width="3024" height="4032" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" src="color:transparent;aspect-ratio:inherit;object-fit:cover" sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 1536px, (min-width: 768px) 768px, 100vw" srcset="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Photo-May-22-3-45-00-PM-rotated.jpg?w=640&quality=80&webp=1 640w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Photo-May-22-3-45-00-PM-rotated.jpg?w=750&quality=80&webp=1 750w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Photo-May-22-3-45-00-PM-rotated.jpg?w=1000&quality=80&webp=1 1000w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Photo-May-22-3-45-00-PM-rotated.jpg?w=1200&quality=80&webp=1 1200w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Photo-May-22-3-45-00-PM-rotated.jpg?w=1360&quality=80&webp=1 1360w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Photo-May-22-3-45-00-PM-rotated.jpg?w=1600&quality=80&webp=1 1600w" bad-src="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Photo-May-22-3-45-00-PM-rotated.jpg?w=1600&quality=80&webp=1"/> I battle with catastrophizing the long run, fascinated with what may occur. The psychological side of most cancers isn't talked about and is arguably one of many tougher elements. I lean on my household, however it’s nonetheless onerous. I used to go to assist teams however stopped—it will make me unhappy, going again and reliving every part over and over. I do speak to folks by TikTok, the place I publish about my most cancers journey. I share my story as a result of colorectal most cancers, which is on the rise amongst younger folks, could be embarrassing and uncomfortable to speak about. Nevertheless it should not be. It’s been superior to attach with others there and let folks know they’re not alone, and for myself, to know different individuals are coping with this, too. And I’ve begun working as a affected person champion for F-U Most cancers, a platform that gives customized wellness suggestions for most cancers sufferers in addition to caregivers.

I’m probably not positive what’s subsequent. It’s troublesome to plan for the long run, however I wish to proceed to be wholesome and be right here for my child. With most cancers, you must be your personal well being care advocate. Nobody is holding your hand, telling you who to name or the place to go or what the subsequent finest step is, or what the fitting resolution is. And, typically I really feel like there isn’t a proper resolution, however there are nonetheless quite a lot of critical questions you must reply for your self.