Rectal cancer survivor finds connection and comfort at MD Anderson
August 05, 2025
Medically Reviewed | Last reviewed by on August 05, 2025
Kim Phillip was diagnosed with rectal cancer in November 2020. She was 46 at the time, so it was considered young-onset colorectal cancer. This is colorectal cancer that occurs in people under age 50.
¡°Since we live in Texas, I knew I wanted to go to MD Anderson,¡± she says. ¡°MD Anderson specializes in cancer. That¡¯s all they do.¡±
Colonoscopy leads to rectal cancer diagnosis
°¾±³¾¡¯²õ symptoms were rectal bleeding, stomach cramps, diarrhea and changes to her stool. She had four kids, so her doctor thought the symptoms might be due to hemorrhoids.
Doctor appointments always made Kim nervous. But she knew it was time for her to get a colonoscopy. So, her husband, Anthony, suggested they both schedule colonoscopies and go together.
¡°When we were doing the colonoscopy prep, I felt like Anthony¡¯s went through him so quickly and easily,¡± she recalls. ¡°Mine wasn¡¯t going as well; I felt like there might be something there.¡±
Kim had her colonoscopy first, then Anthony had his. That day, the couple learned of °¾±³¾¡¯²õ rectal cancer diagnosis.
¡°I remember telling the doctor, ¡®I¡¯m a mom and a wife. I have kids to take care of. I have a family to take care of,'¡± she says. ¡°The nurse was very sweet. She hugged me and told me she was praying for me.¡±
Kim and Anthony¡¯s daughters had driven them to their appointment. She told them about her diagnosis on the way home.
¡°They immediately prayed for me,¡± she says. ¡°I also sent a quick text to our family and friends letting them know about my diagnosis and asking for prayers.¡±
Thankful for the compassion and expertise of MD Anderson staff
Anthony called MD Anderson to schedule an appointment for Kim. He was unable to accompany her to her first appointment due to COVID-19 precautions.
¡°It was tough not having him with me, but I was so thankful for ,¡± she says. ¡°The patient access representative took care of everything for me, and it was all in MyChart. That took so much stress off me because I was already overwhelmed.¡±
Kim met with colon and rectal surgeon , who explained °¾±³¾¡¯²õ diagnosis and treatment plan to her and Anthony, who listened in on speaker phone.
¡°I knew that Dr. You had done a lot of research in young-onset colorectal cancer, and I was excited to learn about MD Anderson¡¯s Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Program,¡± she says. ¡°I felt so confident and comfortable with her; it was like talking to a family member. She detailed everything, drew diagrams and explained three different treatment options. With much prayer and Dr. You¡¯s wisdom and knowledge, we agreed on option 3.¡±
Kim started with seven days of radiation therapy under gastrointestinal radiation oncologist Then she would have eight rounds of chemotherapy using the drug combination known as FOLFOX.
¡°Dr. Minsky explained everything so well, and he gave me everything I might need to manage possible skin side effects due to radiation,¡± she says. ¡°I love that they prepare you beforehand and say, ¡®This is a possibility, and this is what we have to counter it.¡¯ It was so reassuring.¡±
Kim rested for a month after radiation, then had her chemo port placed by general surgeon , whom she describes as ¡°absolutely amazing.¡± He even sang to her during the surgery. On the same day, she met gastrointestinal medical oncologist , and had her first chemotherapy treatment.
During chemo, Kim had some cold sensitivity, nausea, fatigue and a drop in her white blood count.
¡°Dr. Parseghian told me about the possible side effects and how MD Anderson could help,¡± Kim says. ¡°She and her team were so kind and confident of my outcome. Everywhere I went at MD Anderson, I was met with love and encouragement.¡±
Kim liked that she was able to get her radiation therapy and chemotherapy at MD Anderson The Woodlands, which was close to her home. The tumor completely responded to the treatment, and she did not need surgery. Kim was declared cancer-free. She rang the bell after completing chemotherapy treatment.
¡°My family and all the nurses and staff came to cheer me on,¡± she says. ¡°It was a beautiful moment.¡±
MD Anderson helps with rectal cancer regrowth
Kim entered a close surveillance program in which You watched the area where the tumor was found. A few months later, in October 2021, a sigmoidoscopy found something suspicious in the same area. A biopsy revealed early signs of a tumor growing back in the area.
¡°At that time, surgery was the only option, and I¡¯d need a temporary ileostomy,¡± says Kim. ¡°Dr. You was very confident that I would be able to have reversal surgery later on to remove the ostomy bag.¡±
On Nov. 2, 2021, You performed a robotic-assisted laparoscopic low anterior resection and ileostomy.
At first, Kim was unsure about how well she¡¯d adjust to having an ostomy bag.
¡°The doctors and nurses were so patient and explained to me many times how to properly care for the bag,¡± she says. ¡°They instructed me how to do everything. And when I did have an issue, I could call any time. The reassurance was wonderful.¡±
On Jan. 6, 2022, You performed an ileostomy reversal to have the bag removed. Kim stayed in the hospital for a week, so she could get adjusted to how her body would function.
¡°I learned to have a lot of patience and grace with myself because my body works differently now,¡± she says. ¡°I spoke with MD Anderson dietitians, and they told me which foods to try and which medications to take. I experienced the best care.¡±
Fully healed and paying it forward
It¡¯s been over three years since her last surgery, and Kim has fully adapted to her new normal. Her scans continue to come back clear.
¡°I avoid dairy products because that causes diarrhea. I eat a lot of fiber and greens, and I¡¯m incorporating more beans because it helps bulk up the stool,¡± she says. ¡°Since the tumor was in my rectum, my rectum is shorter than other people¡¯s. So, things function a little differently, and my bowel movements have changed.¡±
She credits her support system for helping her through the healing process.
¡°My husband and kids were great,¡± she says. They¡¯re just pure love. I¡¯ve been surrounded by love.¡±
Kim was involved with MD Anderson¡¯s Active Living After Cancer program and still keeps in contact with one of the ladies she met there. She also volunteers with myCancerConnection, MD Anderson¡¯s one-on-one cancer support community.
¡°It¡¯s been a great experience. I¡¯m able to talk to other patients, answer their questions and let them know what helped me,¡± she says. ¡°I¡¯m able to encourage them and give them confidence, just like the people at MD Anderson did for me.¡±
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