Louise Hirons, Banbury
I was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer in May 2022 at the age of 50.
In February 2022, I started having stomach cramps after eating certain foods. I put it down to food intolerances and cut out anything that caused the cramping. When the pain continued, I decided to see my GP. I would have gone sooner if I could have gotten in, but I tried several times and couldn’t even get through. I believe this was partly due to COVID.
Eventually, I had an online consultation where I mentioned that I thought I had some kind of blockage. I was referred to a private clinic for further investigation. The doctor at the private clinic told me it was probably something to do with my gall bladder or pancreas. I was sure I had a blockage, but the doctor told me there was no blockage after listening to my stomach with a stethoscope. He did book me in for an endoscopy and CT scan a week later but the following day I was very sick with cramps and faecal vomiting, so I went straight to A&E.
Eventually I was sent to the surgical emergency unit for further tests. It was here that I felt they started to listen to me and sent me for a CT scan. I had never considered it could be bowel cancer.
I had an operation 36 hours after the hospital team found the mass. It wasn’t possible for me to have a colonoscopy due to being completely blocked which meant that the laxative needed wouldn’t have worked. Instead, I went straight in for surgery where I had a right hemicolectomy.
I healed well and was discharged after three days. My appetite was poor for a week but is starting to recover now. I had diarrhoea for the first week, but my bowels have returned to normal now and I am waiting to start chemotherapy. I’ve been told that the cancer has spread to five lymph nodes.
My family and I are still coming to terms with my diagnosis. Although my employers have been supportive, I have decided to leave my job as people rely on me to work and I can’t keep cancelling if I’m unwell after chemotherapy. I have an appointment with my oncologist this week so will find out more about the chemotherapy I will be having. I have just finished “f*ck you cancer” by the amazing Deborah James and have written many questions to ask at my appointment. I’ve also been using the Bowel Cancer UK forum for support and to learn more about the experiences other people have had.
While waiting for my treatment to begin, me and my husband have prioritised seeing friends, going to fancy restaurants and musicals. I have two children, aged 21 and 20 who I have told I’m undergoing chemotherapy. My chemotherapy starts soon. I only need 4 cycles – they sound quite confident that this will take care of it as I had the surgery first. I’m feeling really positive now, and so well looked after by a brilliant team of people.
