It is with tears that I read Jodi’s story. Four weeks ago I was diagnosed with bowel cancer. I too am 39 years old. I am happily married and have three gorgeous little girls aged 12, 10 and 7. Fortunately my bowel cancer has been detected early.
I had been noticing blood in my stool for a few months, initially putting it down to Haemorrhoids. When I mentioned it to my doctor he sent me for a colonoscopy. At the time of the colonoscopy the doctor advised me that he had removed a polyp from my bowel, which he didn’t seem at all concerned about. He told me that I should have another colonoscopy in three years.
A few days later I got the call from him that took my breath away – I had bowel cancer.
In two weeks I will have surgery to remove the affected part of my bowel, but the cancer has been found at such an early stage that my prognosis is excellent. Early detection has made all the difference.
I can’t imagine how Jodi and others felt finding out that the disease had progressed to a terminal stage. The thought of leaving my kids behind has been in my thoughts every minute since my diagnosis.
I was so lucky I had symptoms – I know so many people don’t. I hope that sharing my story will encourage people to screen for early detection.