A ‘fit and healthy’ mother passed away at the age of 39 after revealing the symptoms she had overlooked before being diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer.
Krystal Maeyke’s life took a drastic turn on May 30, 2023, when she was informed about her diagnosis with this life-threatening illness.
Living in Australia, Krystal initially thought the ‘stabbing pains that brought me to my knees’ were due to a food intolerance and didn’t see any reason for concern.
Despite maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise routine, Krystal’s pain intensified to unbearable levels, resulting in her hospitalization at Alice Springs Hospital for examination.
According to the Mail, Krystal endured such severe pain that morphine was ineffective, and only fentanyl managed to alleviate her discomfort.
In the hospital, Krystal was given the heartbreaking news that her cancer had spread extensively.
Reflecting on the stabbing pains she had experienced, Krystal realized these were indicative of something far more serious than she had initially assumed.
“I thought it wasn’t anything sinister. That’s why it became advanced cancer and spread all through my abdomen, liver, ovaries, and starting from my bowel,” Krystal said of her conditions.
“I felt each stabbing pain when it was spreading in my bowel with a tumor almost blocking my bowels. I felt the lump appear and was told it may just be a lymph node. That was the tumor I was feeling.
“And as it spread during that time, I felt it reach my ovaries as the stabbing pains continued. Never in a million years would I think that I would have this cruel disease in my body trying to kill me. Cancer hurts.”
Krystal sadly passed away on July 5 at the age of 39. Her team shared a statement saying she ‘was surrounded by love and completely pain-free.’
As her condition worsened, she continued to share videos with her TikTok followers, encouraging them to get their symptoms checked.
A GoFundMe campaign initiated by Krystal aims to collect funds for her son, Maison, and to support her family.
Symptoms of bowel cancer can include:
For those affected by these issues and seeking confidential support, the American Cancer Society is available at 1-800-227-2345 or through their live chat feature, accessible 24/7.