I was 65 years old. I had been going to a health club five days a week. I was feeling so fit and healthy and had booked a holiday to the UK.
I received a bowel test kit in the mail and did it and sent it back, then I received a letter saying that I should have a colonoscopy done.
I went to the hospital to have a colonoscopy, and when I woke up the doctor said, ‘I’m sorry I couldn’t finish the test, you have cancer’.
I did get a shock, but at the same time I felt that I was so lucky to find out, and that I could have the cancer removed.
I had 18 inches of bowel removed, and chemo for six months. It wasn’t very pleasant and left me with peripheral neuropathy.
I actually rang the department that sent out the bowel kit to say thank you. I had no clue that I had bowel cancer.
This was 12 years ago.