I was diagnosed with Stage 2b bowel cancer in August 2017, when I went to my doctor feeling extremely tired and seeing blood when I would go to the bathroom. For me I thought this was normal, as I had been previously told I could have Celiac disease and summed it up to being Celiac and I had eaten something with gluten.
My doctor referred me for a colonoscopy to confirm if I did have celiac disease. After the colonoscopy the Gastroenterologist came up to me, which I thought was odd, because he didn't speak to anyone else in the room and advised me they found a 3cm tumour. I wasn't sure how to respond or react, I was expecting "Yup, you've got Celiacs", which he did also confirm....
After waiting for a week, I went back into the Gastroenterologist's office. I had not even had a chance to sit down, when his words were "Yes, it's Cancer"......
My journey has been an eye opener, yet a positive experience. I am grateful to all my doctors who listened to me, for my friends and work colleagues who were super supportive, and that the cancer was detected early.
What a learning experience, to now understand and be empathetic towards others who also have endure this disease. I can fully understand the mental anguish you go through when you hear the words "Cancer"...
I also share this experience with my grandmother (82) who also was diagnosed with bowel cancer 8 years ago and is still with us today....
For anyone contemplating seeing their doctor because they see or feel something that's not right, don't contemplate, don't procrastinate, get checked out ASAP. It could honestly save your life, it certainly saved mine.....
I walked the 2019 HBF Run For A Reason this year in support of Bowel Cancer Australia, for my own personal story of surviving Stage 2B Bowel Cancer. I had part of my bowel removed and went through 6 months of chemotherapy....
Through a lot of my work colleagues at BHP I managed to raise a little over $1600, to which I am extremely grateful to everyone who supported me and this amazing cause, my bosses and work colleagues witnessed my ups and downs as I continued to work FIFO whilst undergoing chemo treatment....
Not only did I do this for me, but I also did it for an amazing group of women (the Bowel Babes), to which I helped create the group along with Jodie, Sarah, Malory, Angel and Makala, a group dedicated to strong and brave women who have discovered they have bowel cancer and going through chemo, or are already in the midst of their flight with this terrible disease. Unfortunately since the group was created 12 months ago, we’ve already lost around six Babes who grew their angel wings way to soon....
My pledge is to continue doing fun runs or what is required to continue help and support Bowel Cancer Australia, to raise the much needed funds for research to ensure all people of all ages fight hard and raise the success rate of survivors....
