Odgerel N’s story

I was diagnosed with Stage 4 advanced bowel cancer at age 37. I thought I was healthy person because I rarely get sick, but it looks like that was wrong!

I had a great New Year celebrating on the beach, but I felt pain under my ribs and or around my stomach, which I thought was caused by me eating the wrong thing, causing my stomach to hurt… but that was the cancer spreading to my liver. Until the pain, I had no other symptoms. Just a bit sleepy and tired, that’s all, and I sometimes felt lightheaded.

I am a mum of four and have a 4-year-old little girl with me who is pushing me up every day to be strong. I have been having chemotherapy for over a year now, every second week, and I’m up to round 28.

Before my diagnosis I was full time travelling around Australia for almost a year, then settled in small city in regional Victoria.

Cancer has taught me so much about how valuable life is and also how small things make big changes. And I started a non-toxic lifestyle.

My one piece of advice:

Even if you think you are healthy you should still be aware of bowel cancer and consider getting checked. Early-stage diagnosis is the key!