Denelle Wirth

Denelle Wirth
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"I thought I was going to die," said Wirth, of Jeannette."Anybody can tell you that."

The cancer diagnosis came as a shock.But even more surprising was the type of cancer invading her body.

Wirth had colorectal cancer, which typically is diagnosed in people age 50 and older.
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Now 22, Wirth works in the dietary department for St. Anne's Home in Greensburg and is studying to become a dietician.

"Now I can live life to the fullest," she said.
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"It got to the point I couldn't go to the bathroom at all," Wirth said."I felt really tired all the time.I ignored it, because who would think a 19-year-old could have cancer?"

As the symptoms progressed, Wirth began to suspect she had irritable bowel syndrome.Her symptoms seemed to match descriptions of IBS, but they kept getting worse.

Wirth's doctor examined her -- then sent her straight to the hospital and scheduled a colonoscopy.
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Celebrezze agreed with Wirth that removing her uterus was unnecessary.
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"I was miserable," Wirth said.
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After her cancer treatment, Wirth slipped into depression.She was unable to eat, suffered from nightmares and continually felt anxious.Eventually she was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

"I was mad at God for awhile," she said.
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At 19, Wirth did not have years worth of damage to her colon.But she had a family history of the disease.Her father was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2000.He has since recovered.

"One thing we can learn from Denelle is know your family history and don't ignore warning signs," said Celebrezze, who said those signs include rectal bleeding, abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits.
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Uncertainty made dealing with colon cancer much worse for Wirth.Now she tries to takes a more positive approach.

"If you think you're going to die, it might happen," she said."You have to have positive thinking."

Since her recovery, Wirth has taken steps -- literally -- to put that attitude into action.She has participated in Allegheny General's Big Blue Quest, a walk to raise funds and awareness of colon cancer.She also takes part in Relay for Life fundraisers.

"There are people battling cancer who go on these walks," Wirth said."I can give them support and show that I am still here."

Tears still well in her eyes when she describes her illness.Yet she wants others to understand colorectal cancer, so they can recognize and guard against it.

"I think people ignore it," Wirth said.