Neva I’s story

My name is Neva and I was diagnosed with Bowel Cancer at the age of 43.

I had NO symptoms – none what so ever!!!!!!

I had a routine colonoscopy due to family history and given my age – precaution is the key right!?! 

In May 2016, I took a morning off from work and drove to Manly, NSW.

I savoured my coffee while enjoying the sunshine on my face, waiting for my appointment with my surgeon.

I was happy and carefree.

The first colonoscopy was routine – the second – again – was routine, but they took a biopsy off a lump.

My surgeon said, “Nothing to worry about. It doesn’t look nasty – just a routine check.”

As I skipped happily into the reception area, I took a seat waiting for my surgeon.

As he greeted me, I shook his hand and blurted that life was good and I’d just finished my big beach run in the sun followed by a swim.

I happily grinned from ear to ear.

I didn’t need my husband with me – this was all routine……

We sat – we talked – and the tests came back.

He started with, “They found cancer cells in the biopsy.”

He saw the look on my face – the look of ‘what did you say?!’

He looked me in the eye and said, “We were shocked too – we double tested your sample -it’s definite – I’m sorry!”

Now there are 3 responses – flight, fight or freeze?

I automatically went into my fight response.

I didn’t know what these responses were but found out down the track.

I’ve been in the “fight” response all along the way – and still am.

The words that came out of my mouth next were, “Ok… So where is it? How big is it? And what do we do from here?”

“You will go into hospital next week,” he said.

“You will be in surgery for 5 hours or so, and then the plan is to remove the cancer tumour along with clearance margins along the bowel – around about 20cm.”

“We won’t know for sure until we are in there.”

“You will be in ICU for 3 days, and you will be fed from a drip for the first 5 days.”

“You will wake up with an ileostomy bag.”

“We will open you up down the tummy and close with around 40 staples.”

“You will have two holes with drains coming out.”

“You will have a catheter and a PICC line for the first few days to manage your pain.”

“You will have oxygen and a drip down to your stomach.”

“You will be in pain and it won’t be pleasant.”

“This is so you have an idea of what is coming…..,” he explained.

The result – they cut it all out and cleared the margins.

No further treatment of chemotherapy or radiation was needed, which was confirmed by the oncologist 4 weeks after surgery.

It was very low grade and hadn’t penetrated the bowel walls or blood stream.

All 17 lymph nodes came back negative.

I had my bag for 6 months, giving my bowel the best chance of healing as the cancer was in the rectum.

I had my reversal in October 2016.

Today – I am still here and consider myself incredibly lucky – I’m able to continue working full time and have a loving husband and 2 beautiful young children.

My bowels will never be the same; therefore my diet has changed considerably due to invasive surgery.

I must acknowledge it has NOT been easy – it’s been a very rough and tough road and continues to be so….

I now believe bowel screening should be as routine as a Pap smear and mammogram – you just never ever know!!