Jenny D’s story

In May 2022, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 bowel cancer. Yep — the big one. Life instantly became a swirl of hospital gowns, scans, chemo, radiation, bowel reconstruction, and… perhaps the most humbling challenge of all: learning how to poo again (because apparently, your bowels don’t bounce back with the same enthusiasm as your spirit).

The fear? Real. The worry? Constant. The late-night Googling? A full-time job.

But so was the fight. And slowly, with time, incredible care teams, and sheer stubbornness, treatment came to an end.

Between trying to stop my mind from running faster than my digestive system and battling the “what ifs,” I discovered something unexpected: a new way of seeing the world. A slower, richer, more meaningful way.  

I left hot, sticky Queensland behind and moved to a farm in Tasmania.

Why? Because sometimes you need wide open skies, misty mornings, and the kind of peace only goats and the occasional rogue chicken can bring.

Here’s what cancer gave me (that I never expected):

+ A completely new perspective on what matters.
+ A deep gratitude for the humans who showed up — family, friends, and community — who held me through the mess and reminded me I wasn’t alone.
+ The realisation that fear never completely disappears… but it can be outshined by joy, purpose, and connection.

Now, I’ve found my way into a new career — working in mental health with peer workers, walking alongside others through their own storms. It’s work that feels meaningful, healing, and human.

The diagnosis didn’t end my story — it flipped the script. Now I live for moments that matter, from deep chats over tea to laughing at life’s weird detours.

Yes, I still get pangs of fear. Some days I still spiral. But I’ve learned to pause, look around, hug a goat (or a person, depending on availability), and refocus on what’s good.

A diagnosis like that? It’s a brutal wake-up call. But also — strangely, beautifully — a turning point. A chance to start again, this time with eyes wide open and a heart full of purpose.

Here’s to creating moments that matter.

Here’s to joy, community, muddy boots, and second chances.

And yes… Here’s to pooping properly again.

PREVIOUSLY

PSA: Time to break the stigma!

For such a long time it’s been taboo or been embarrassing to talk about gut and bowel health. Now is your time to act! 

For too many years I complained of bloating, fluctuating constipation and diarrhoea, stomach cramps and blood in my poo. For too many years I mentioned it to health professionals to be told it was the IVF medications I was undergoing, irritable bowel, or colitis. To then discover at 39, I had Stage 4 colon cancer. The cancer was in my colon and liver. I named my tumours Sue and Larry and insisted the medical team refer to them as that. 

Thankful my GP and the healthcare team acted quickly and today I’m in recovering well and responding to treatment. However, if I hadn’t been so persistent the lord only knows how this story could have gone.

I have embraced the ups and downs, chemotherapy, radiation, two surgeries in nine weeks and a stoma. Yet I’m still standing and standing tall, fighting the fight and will not give up!

It’s so important to remember that no matter how tough it gets, it’s only temporary and to walk in with your head high even when you don’t feel like it. Wear a smile that gives you confidence in your ability to get through anything. Because you can, you are a warrior! One step at a time, day by day, week by week.

Bowel cancer is one of the most diagnosed cancers today and one that is unfortunately too often missed due to ‘you being too young’. If there anything I have learnt on this crazy ride it’s to not put things off or be embarrassed to speak to your GP. If symptoms persist or get worse demand further investigation or a colonoscopy. It’s time to drop the stigma and save lives!

Stand tall, trust your medical team and work with a Naturopath to put your body at the strongest position to get through the battle. Mindset is huge, things are thrown your way to help you reassess and grow. You can do this one step at a time.