Tagged: # ileostomy

07

Jul

2015

Malcolm's bowel cancer story (diagnosed age 75, TAS)

I was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2008. I was up in Darwin visiting friends on a holiday and came back feeling unwell. I had an upset tummy and diarrhoea but thought it must have been the water up there. When I looked at my stools I saw dark red blood. I did the Faecal Occult Blood test and that came back positive. I was referred for a colonoscopy in late September and that confirmed it. I had bowel cancer. My surgery was scheduled for December. I was in absolute shock. It was just not what I was expecting at all.

Published in Bowel Cancer Stories

29

Sep

2014

Chelsea's bowel cancer story (diagnosed age 36, WA)

It was very frightening to realise I might die and leave my two small children (aged one and three at diagnosis) without their mum after being diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer at the age of 36 in April 2012.

I noticed occasional rectal bleeding and after about six weeks I went to my GP. She didn't think it was urgent but recommended a colonoscopy. After a six week wait and a substantial increase in rectal bleeding, the colonoscopy showed a tumour in my mid to low rectum, plus two polyps in my bowel.

Published in Bowel Cancer Stories

15

Sep

2014

Michael's bowel cancer story (diagnosed age 53, NSW)

My face was my reason for seeing my GP. I really wasn't that worried about the lesion on the side of my face. After all my neighbour, who is a plastic surgeon had told me it was a simple basal cell carcinoma (BCC).

I'd had them before and had them dealt with when time allowed for a visit to the GP. The rectal bleeding I was experiencing wasn't unusual. I had lived with a haemorrhoid for over 15 years at least, so a bit of blood wasn't a concern. I'd seen that before and wasn't worried, though it seemed a little heavier lately.

Published in Bowel Cancer Stories

15

Sep

2014

Phil's bowel cancer story (diagnosed age 54, WA)

Twelve months ago in January 2013, I was diagnosed with bowel cancer, yep the big "C"! It was one of the luckiest days of my life, as being diagnosed meant I could get help and beat the bastard.

I told everybody the bastard won't beat me and here I am 12 months later celebrating. I am thankful to all my family, friends, work colleagues, customers and suppliers for all the love and support given through the bad times. I sit here quietly, reflecting on what a lucky person I am.

Published in Bowel Cancer Stories

09

Apr

2014

Linda's bowel cancer story (diagnosed age 63, VIC)

Prior to leaving for a three month holiday in our caravan I went to my doctor to get my blood pressure script for our journey ahead.

During the consultation my doctor asked how I was and I said ‘oh, I think those hemorrhoids must have popped’. She recommended I get checked out by a specialist before I left the following week.

Within the week I was able to get in to see a specialist who said I needed a colonoscopy. I explained I was going away but thankfully he had a cancellation on the Monday (I was going away on the Thursday). The day after my colonoscopy I got the phone call saying ‘you are not going anywhere you have cancer’.

Published in Bowel Cancer Stories