Sharrie M’s story

In May of 2014 I visited my doctor as I was feeling stressed after losing my husband in December of 2012 and my youngest daughter having glandular fever in November of 2013.

I was sent for blood tests which revealed that my Ferritin level (iron) was at 3, the normal level for women is 30 to 200, my doctor immediately referred me for a colonoscopy, to which I said I was just stressed and did not need a colonoscopy. My doctor insisted that I have the procedure and he was not going to take no for an answer.

In August of 2014 I went in for my colonoscopy and after coming out of the sedation I heard the words no one wants to hear ‘You have bowel cancer’.

In September of 2014 I was operated on and one third of my large bowel and my appendix was removed, they also took 18 lymph nodes which they found cancer cells in three of those nodes.

I had six months of chemotherapy then five years of follow up CT scans and colonoscopies to which were all clear. Still today I have regular blood check-ups and colonoscopies and still all clear.

I feel very grateful to my doctor who was very persistent, and without a doubt, he saved my life.

My one piece of advice:

Listen to your doctor, he/ she has more than likely had many years of experience and could just possibly like me, save your life.