Janelle’s story

I was diagnosed in August 23 after I did bowel screening via my GP. Six months prior, I had thought I had developed an intolerance to lactose. Developed cramping and having to run to the toilet after a coffee. Had never happened before. In the 12 months prior to my diagnosis I kept picking up every bug imaginable and had no idea why. I was always fastidious with my two-yearly mammograms, PAP smears and skin checks. My first bowel screening kit that arrived sat on my kitchen bench until I threw it away. Then a second one arrived. I thought I had better do this, messed up the label so I saw my GP.

Three days after submitting my samples I received a phone message, email and text message to contact my GP. Nibe days later I was having a colonoscopy. Not concerned at all. My doctor came to see me after the procedure and took myself and my husband into a room … where he said you have a lesion…

I knew what that meant.

A whirl of tests… in hospital just after a week later. Nearly 7 hour surgery, a week in hospital, a post op infection, then the news that filled me with dread… I needed chemotherapy. 8 out of 31 lymph nodes removed had cancer detected.

Turned out that most of my 6 months of chemo wasn’t as horrendous as I imagined. I could still have my nails done ;-), saw Coldplay, Robbie Williams, have exercise physiology once a week, decluttered my home on the mainly good days I had. I went back to work two days a week after three months off work. I had always worked full time, wanted some ‘normal’ back.

There was so much unknown in this whole journey. What stage was my cancer, was it in any other organs, how do I tell my daughter? Taking two days to return a call back to my Oncologist to make my first appointment with him. Crying while I left a message on their voicemail. FRIGHT.

Thank God I did my check – absolutely kicking myself for NOT doing it when I did all of my other checks. Bowel cancer – no way. It’s not just you on this journey, but those closet too.

It’s now 11 months since chemotherapy finished. Approx 6-9 months to recover both mentally and physically. So grateful – my second check-up, still clear. A new perspective and lessons learned.

My one piece of advice: Do ALL of your checks & have no regrets. (The last image is straight after chemo nbr 4.) All of the others since finishing treatment.