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'I was 52 when I was diagnosed with bowel (colon) cancer'.

My story starts in late October 2015 when I felt a dull achy pain just beneath my right lower rib. It was not an acute pain that you may have with a bruised rib or pulled muscle, rather a background pain you might experience with the early onset of toothache. Most folk would probably have ignored it and I could easily have done the same had it not been for the fact I was losing weight which I could not explain, especially as I was not at the time actively engaged pursuing my love of sea kayaking. I had no other symptoms.

I went to see my GP who referred me for an ultrasound scan which I had in November 2015 at Christchurch Hospital. My ultrasound scan found I had a thickening of the gall bladder. I was still losing weight and still had the dull achy pain. My GP arranged a 2 week referral for me to see a consultant at Royal Bournemouth Hospital.

My hospital appointment in December 2015 revealed no apparent issues or indeed why I was losing weight. I was referred for a gastroscopy and abdominal CT scan. The gastroscopy revealed no issues for concern. However the day after my abdominal CT scan I was contacted and asked if I was able to attend an appointment to see the consultant two days before Christmas Eve 2015. My wife accompanied me into the consultant's room. I had suspicions I was going to be given some bad news, as in addition to the consultant, there was a senior nurse practitioner and two other nurses in the room. The room atmosphere felt a little 'heavy' and rather than expecting to be told, 'we are going to have to remove your gall bladder', I was caringly and sympathetically told by the consultant, 'we have found something on your ascending colon, it may be a polyp or something more sinister'.

With my enquiring mind racing 'off the scale', I asked what the size of this 'something' may be and learnt it was about four and half centimetres though it appeared contained. With tear filled eyes I was led by the very caring and supportive senior nurse practitioner to Pathology to have a blood test, while she went to arrange appointments for me to have a CT scan of my chest (to check there was nothing sinister in my lungs) and a colonoscopy.

I had my chest CT scan and colonoscopy early January 2016. I was informed my chest CT scan was clear. However my colonoscopy confirmed that the four and a half centimetre mass on my ascending colon was indeed cancer. I was informed I would have a four hour operation early February 2016 to remove my ascending colon (right hemicolectomy) and my gall bladder (cholecystectomy). You might say, 'two for the price of one'.

Post-operative tests classified my cancer as stage one which is sometimes also referred to as Dukes' A. The cancer had not spread to any of the 20 lymph nodes also removed during my operation and therefore I did not require chemotherapy. The thickening of the gall bladder (which would have become malignant) was purely coincidental and not related to the cancer in the ascending colon.

The NHS medical teams including all the staff on ward 16 at Royal Bournemouth Hospital were absolutely fantastic. They cared and looked after me from beginning to end and continue to do so during my on-going surveillance. Ward 16 is an acute surgical ward that specialises in colorectal surgery.

I hope my story has highlighted the importance of going to see your GP at the first sign you think or know something is not right. I am certainly pleased I did!!

To help raise funds for ward 16 Royal Bournemouth Hospital, I am planning on doing all sorts of fundraising activities that will include my sea kayak both on and off the water. If you are able to please help me reach my fundraising target, please donate now. Your donation will be very much appreciated.

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