Rachael’s story

I went to my GP as I had some persistent bloating in my upper abdomen. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined the week that followed.

Monday morning: appointment with my wonderful GP who ordered blood tests and a CT scan. Tuesday: CT scan. Thursday: I walked into my GP’s office. He stumbled through his words telling me with a heavy heart it was Stage 4 bowel cancer that had spread to the liver.

The following day I met with the surgeon who booked a colonoscopy for the following Monday and referred me to my wonderful oncologist who I met with the following Thursday, who had organised an appointment for my portacath to be inserted the following Wednesday to commence chemo the Monday after.

I was given an initial 12 rounds of Folfoxiri which resulted in a significant reduction of the liver tumour but not enough to be resected. I am currently still undergoing chemo treatment and will have an updated scan to check the progress in the liver.

I have been a fit and healthy person for many years and (still) train daily and eat well. I am a mum to two beautiful children (two-year-old girl and four-year-old boy) and that is who I fight for, to see them become the wonderful people I know they’ll become. I have a wonderful support system at my f45 and my family.

My one piece of advice: Make sure you know your body and if something doesn’t feel right then it probably isn’t. Check your poo and see your doctor.