In June of 2023, my life was flipped on its head. I was diagnosed with stage II bowel cancer at the age of 35.
For about two months prior, I’d been experiencing a range of symptoms that were slowly growing in intensity. My main symptom was unexplained lower abdominal and pelvic pain, as well as an increased need to urinate, that could not be explained by an ultrasound, CT scan, and blood tests. I was initially treated by my GP for suspected UTIs, constipation, and for pelvic muscular pain/spasms. Then, quite literally, I started shitting my pants every time I left the house. I lost my appetite, and my bowel habits changed dramatically in short space of time, to the point I was barely able to leave the house. Finally, I was referred to a gastroenterologist who arranged a colonoscopy, and also reassured me that my cancer risk was close to negligible. I never made it to that appointment.
I ended up in ED with equal measures of pain and pure frustration. After a number of tests, including a colonoscopy, they discovered a large, suspicious mass in the lower end of my colon. Within a few days, I’d undergone a massive surgery (Hartmann’s Procedure) to remove the mass and about a third of my colon, creating a colostomy (who has been since lovingly been named ‘Sabrina’ the stoma). It turns out, the mass had perforated my bowel, and was pushing on my bladder. Although I had my suspicions (being a student nurse and working as a nurse), I didn’t find out until after the surgery that they were now confident it was bowel cancer. I also received the best news I could have possibly hoped for, it miraculously hadn’t spread to my lymph nodes.
After a quick break to recover, I underwent three months of intensive, precautionary chemotherapy. It’s still difficult for me to fully process the blur of those months, some days being completely incapacitated by nausea and fatigue, whilst others felt relatively normal all things considered. What I'll never forget is the love and support from my family and friends that I’ll never be able to repay. I also had a fantastic surgeon, oncologist, and multi-disciplinary team, whom I am eternally grateful for.
Almost a year later, I have “no evidence of disease” but will continue to undergo regular screening and have another surgery to reverse my stoma. I consider myself incredibly lucky, as I know it could have been worse.
For anyone experiencing unusual or unexplained symptoms, keep pushing for answers and don’t let yourself be sold short. I put a lot of pressure on myself during my recovery, and I urge anyone in a similar position to be kind to yourself and trust you have everything you need to get through it. I hope my story is able to help raise awareness that you’re NEVER TOO YOUNG to have bowel cancer.