My journey began with a visit to my GP for a few unrelated symptoms, one of which was an increase occurrence of dry-retching (I later deduced this was a symptom of the cancer). This made him organise a blood test for iron and referrals for endoscopy tests (upper and lower). From these I found out that not only was I deficient in iron, but I also had bowel cancer (I later found out from the oncologist it was stage 3), which they told me after I woke up from the procedure. Due to complications with the biopsy, the doctors had me stay in hospital overnight for observation. During this time I did some research on the causes and found out that the cancer was most likely caused by my lifestyle choices, especially around exercise and diet, which was lacking as I took my body for granted (later I found out this was not the cause in my case). So, this made me feel very guilty that I had done this to myself and was determined to get healthier when I was in a suitable place with my cancer.

 

While I was in hospital for observation, the gastroenterologist said that I had to have surgery to remove the cancer and at this time could be done in a couple of weeks, because it was still in the early stages. This was then rescheduled to the Monday after my diagnosis, because the surgeon had a free spot, meaning I could get it over and done with, without having to wait. However, that night I fainted from loss of blood from the biopsy. Luckily, I had the nous to press the "call" button and sit down before I fainted, so I wouldn't fall that far, if at all. When I came to, I found four nurses leaning over me and was wheeled into emergency surgery that night, which was the 7th June 2024.

 

I woke up the next morning in the ICU and I was rushed to eat breakfast and stand up (with the help of a walker and physio), which was unexpectedly very painful and something I could not do on my own, after this I was wheeled up into my room. Due to the surgery I had, I needed assistance to do certain things I took for granted. Luckily, I had booked all this through the private health system, which meant I had a room to myself, this plus the professionalism of the nurses made this process from a very embarrassing experience to a much more normal experience. I also had to adapt to new ways of doing things, like walking, esp. up and down stairs. 

A few days after surgery (while I was still in hospital), I found out from the biopsy results that my cancer was caused by Lynch Syndrome, which is a hereditary genetic condition that predisposes those that have it to a number of cancers, the most common being bowel cancer. I later found out that this syndrome was on my mum's side of the family after she told me that she had, had a cancerous tumour removed from her bowel. I was also told my cancer was a very aggressive type and that it had spread to a few lymph nodes, meaning I would have to undergo chemo after my recovery. Although, I felt very relieved that the cause wasn't health related, I was still determined to get healthier, because I didn't want to aggravate/have more issues related to the surgery and recovery. However, this being a hereditary condition meant that it could affect any children I had or would have in the future, as well as any siblings (same family line as myself). Each child would have a 50% chance of getting the condition and if one did contract it, they would need yearly colonoscopies for the rest of their life, just as I am required to from now on. 

 

Upon meeting the oncologist during my hospital stay, I was told that after I had fully recovered from the surgery I had to undergo 6 months (12 cycles) of chemo, which meant that my stint with cancer was not over with yet.

 

I am very thankful to my bible study group for visiting me during my hospital stay and providing their support for me during this process.

 

Post Surgery and Start of Chemo Treatment

 

Note: Early in 2025 I found out that my mum had once more contracted cancer from the condition, which shows that just because you get rid of one type of cancer from your body that was caused by the condition and go through chemo, it doesn't mean that you can't cause contract anymore cancer in your body due to the condition.