In October 2020, my whole world was shattered for my husband and I. All our life long plans that are in arms reach of a long healthy and happy retirement in our forever home potentially shattered.

Three days before my birthday, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 incurable Colon Cancer! We were so stunned, shocked and still in disbelief of the journey we are now on. I was a fit and healthy mid 50s lady, who JUST had a few cramps in the abdomen that started in the summer of 2020. As they weren’t even consistently every day or even every week and when they did appear they didn't last that long, I JUST put it down to diet, trapped wind, pulled muscle, or anything else I could think of until some 12 weeks later they became more regular, and I thought perhaps this is not so normal and called my GP.

Needless to say, after some simple tests, and then referral to hospital for CT scans, colonoscopy and gastroscopy, to understand what the pain was, the shock came when they called Les and I into a room and said, “YES ITS CANCER”, (words you will never forget) as if we were expecting it. No one had even indicated this could be a possibility. 4 days later, came the very unfavorable prognosis via telephone.  And one week later we saw the Surgeon and the news was no better.

I started Chemo and in less than 3 months I had a life saving emergency operation due to a blocked bowel.  I now have a colostomy probably permanent.  The great news is that the Senior Surgeon in the hospital who carried out the operation, took all the cancer out that he could see.  3 scans later, I still have no visible signs of cancer. 

We live in hope that this will be the case for a long time to come.  Meanwhile I am so grateful for every extra day I get to live life and spend the time with my family.

Bowel Cancer is the 4th most common cancer and the 2nd biggest cancer killer in the UK.  But it doesn't have to be this way - it's treatable and curable, if diagnosed early.  I now make it my mission to raise awareness of the signs of bowel cancer,  to help people get diagnosed early, and if I can save one person from this journey I am now on, through raising awareness then a good job is done.

So let's remove the poo taboo!  Get talking poo!  Together we can beat cancer.

Bowel Cancer UK are the UK’s leading bowel cancer charity.  They fund targeted research, provide expert information and support to patients and their families, educate the public and professionals about the disease and campaign for early diagnosis and access to best treatment and care.

Thank you so much for your donations. This truly means alot to me personally dealing with this awful condition. And through this event i will be able to raise awareness and drive to action. 

Let's stop people dying of bowel cancer.