Nicholas J’s story

Having turned 50, I had completed a few Bowel Cancer Screening Tests. But this one was different. The results came back positive!

I had no symptoms, except for one gush of blood between completing the test and getting my results. My subsequent colonoscopy revealed that I had Stage 3C bowel cancer. What am I going to do?

I still remember crying with my adult daughter when she picked me up from my diagnosis appointment. Five weeks of weekday oral chemo and radiation at my local hospital, a few months wait while my tumour shrunk, an Ultra Low Bowel Resection and a temporary Loop Ileostomy; and finally, a Ileostomy reversal 13 months later, I’m fixed?

That was 4 1/2 years ago now. My life, like many of us ‘survivors’, is a little different than pre-surgery. Change in diet, change in bowel habits. But I am alive and grateful for the amazing ongoing care I have received from the medical staff and my family and friends. I now support my local hospital by advocating in the community for clinical trials in Regional Hospitals.

My one piece of advice:

That’s an interesting question. The Ileostomy had its challenges, but would I want one permanently? Constant Tenesmus, clustering, dietary issues and minor pain is challenging most days.

My advice; find out all of the side effects from bowel cancer survivors and weigh up your options. While ‘some side effects’ were discussed prior with my surgeon, they were nothing like what most of us go through daily. Try and get the whole story, although, that story is very different for each of us.

And, don’t let your ‘new normal’ run your life, get out and enjoy it while you have the chance. Life is too short. Good luck!