Cherie’s story

Prior to my diagnosis of Stage 4 bowel cancer in 2022, I ignored symptoms for at least 4-5 years.

Blood in stools, wildly varied toileting habits, yep, I ignored these. It was the pain that got me.

Pain so constant and blinding I ended up in the emergency department.

I never expected the Stage 4 diagnosis. A large tumour in my sigmoid junction with a metastatic tumour in my lung.

What followed was a whirlwind of doctors, nurses, operations, specialists and allied health team staff.

Almost 6 hours is surgery with an urgent call out to an OB/GYN mid operation to remove part of the tumour and the reproductive organs it had firmly stuck itself to.

An ileostomy was also created.

18 months of combined chemo, then radiation with chemotherapy.

I’m now 3 years post diagnosis. I still have a metastatic lung tumour. I live in 3-month blocks.

From one set of scans to the next…hoping in between the tumour remains a silent uninvited guest.

Recently that guest has started to grumble.

I’m a Yamatji/Nyoongah (Aboriginal) woman from Western Australia. I know outcomes for my peers and myself are less favourable than those of the wider community, so I am super keen to raise much-needed awareness.

My one piece of advice: Don’t ignore symptoms. Don’t ignore symptoms. Don’t ignore symptoms. Get into your doctor, medical centre or Aboriginal medical service. Tell your doctor/nurse/medic about your symptoms.