Like many people busy with family, work and life in general, I put off a visit to the GP. When I finally booked an appointment and talked through my symptoms, I was reassured that it was probably just haemorrhoids, but a colonoscopy was suggested to be sure.

There was about an eight-week wait to see the colorectal surgeon, but as the colonoscopy could be booked in a few days later it was decided that the internal examination could wait until I was asleep. However, the bowel prep for the colonoscopy did not work, so I was examined in the operating theatre ante room. This confirmed I had a tumour and my procedure was no longer a colonoscopy but a biopsy.

Upon waking up there was no big sandwich for me, instead I was taken for an immediate CT scan and blood tests. I had an MRI a few days later which confirmed that I had a Stage 3N1 tumour. Although the tumour had significantly progressed, the prognosis was good.

I underwent five weeks of radiation and light chemo, followed by a six-week break. Then it was the big surgery for the lower anterior resection of my bowel and loop ileostomy. The pathology revealed that there was still cancer in the tumour, lymph nodes and fatty tissue, so I started 12 cycles of chemotherapy.

Over the next six months the two-week routine would begin with a blood test on Day 1, Day 2 would be an afternoon in the chemo clinic with one type of chemo medicine and then home with a slow-release pump for the second chemo medicine over 46 hours. It was then back to the hospital on Day 4 to get ‘disconnected’, followed by two to three days of recovery.

Side effects of chemo included thinning hair, nausea, fatigue, and neuropathy in my hands and feet. As the cycles went on it would take longer to recover. However, I was extremely grateful to be able to schedule my treatment so that my recovery time from each round was over a weekend. I was able to continue working while having chemo, with a discreet handbag containing my chemo pump connecting to a portacath inserted in my chest.

I’m now recovering from my loop ileostomy closure surgery and am about to start my post chemotherapy cancer monitoring regime. From diagnosis to this point, it has been almost exactly one year. It has been a challenging journey, but I have had incredible support from family and friends who have all helped me in many practical ways. Their prayers, love and care has got me through.