At 40 years old, my whole world changed.
My life stopped.
My mind raced.
My first thought wasn’t about me.
It was, “How do I tell my boys?”
How do I tell my three young sons that their mum has cancer?
It all started in June 2024 with extreme menstrual bleeding. During an ablation, my gynaecologist discovered severe endometriosis. Six months later, after ongoing pain and bleeding, I had a hysterectomy.
Everyone told me I’d be back on my feet in two weeks.
I wasn’t.
Nine weeks later I was still in pain, still bleeding from my bottom and struggling to go to the toilet. And if I did go, it never felt complete. Something wasn’t right.
I finally said to my GP, “I think I need a colonoscopy. I just need to know what’s going on.”
At my appointment, the gastroenterologist asked me a few questions before looking at me and saying;
“Why have you waited this long?”
The truth was, I thought it was all related to my endometriosis and hysterectomy.
After the colonoscopy, everyone else was given sandwiches.
I wasn’t.
Instead, I was told I needed fasted blood tests.
In that moment, my stomach dropped.
Then the doctor showed me the images of the growth he found in my bowel.
I asked, “Did you remove it?”
He quietly replied, “I couldn’t. It’s the size of a plum.”
The biopsies confirmed it.
Bowel cancer.
Everything moved quickly after that. My case went before the medical team because of my age and the size of the tumour. Three weeks was the longest they were prepared to wait.
I underwent a bowel resection and woke up with a temporary ileostomy.
Recovery was brutal. I was in so much pain, incredibly sick and just wanted to be brave for everyone around me.
Learning to live with a stoma was confronting at first, but eventually it became my new normal. In fact, I got pretty good at changing it and even found reasons to laugh, including one spectacular explosion in hospital on the day of my reversal.
Cancer changed me. But it doesn’t define me.
Looking back, I’d had symptoms for years. I always found another explanation. I wish I’d pushed for answers sooner, but I can’t change that now.
What I can do is encourage others to trust their instincts.
If something doesn’t feel right, advocate for yourself.
Be uncomfortable for a few moments, and ask for a test or examination.
I recently had my one-year follow-up colonoscopy. They found more precancerous polyps.
The ongoing scans, blood tests and colonoscopies will always bring anxiety. But I stay super positive and I feel that has gotten me through all the tough times I’ve faced.
I have these tests to keep me here especially for my boys, my family and the life I still have to live.
As a busy working mum, I’ve learnt that looking after myself isn’t selfish.
It’s essential.
My message is if something doesn’t feel right take the time to get it checked. It’s better to be uncomfortable explaining symptoms than being uncomfortable having surgery or chemo.