Lauren Sack, Hertfordshire

I was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer in December 2018 at the age of 35.

My symptoms started in May 2018. I had severe stomach pain which would go on and off and last a few days before coming back a few weeks later.

I went to my GP in May 2018. He said it was because of the contraceptive coil I had. I also had severe anaemia which he said was down to my periods. I ended up going back and back and forth for months. He then said I had irritable bowel syndrome and gave me Buscopan, even though my bowel habits hadn’t changed. I did mention cancer to my GP and he laughed and said “You are too young to have cancer.” I knew deep down something was wrong but nobody would take me seriously.

I ended up going to A&E in October 2018. They examined me and said I had irritable bowel syndrome. I went back the next day as I couldn’t stand the pain and they said “We told you yesterday there’s nothing wrong with you why are you back?” I asked to be scanned and they said no as there’s no reason to be scanned.

Then 27 December 2018 I was at my mum’s house celebrating Christmas and the pain was so bad I was throwing up. My mum lives opposite St Helier hospital in Carshalton Surrey so I said I’m going to walk over and see what they say there. Within an hour a junior doctor had scanned my tummy with an ultrasound and found something. I was sent up to CT where they found the tumour and I was operated on that night. The surgeon said I wouldn’t have lasted another 24 hours as my bowel was on the verge of perforating!

During surgery I had the whole tumour removed and 22 lymph nodes. Cancer was present in five of 22 lymph nodes.

I had my treatment at The Royal Marsden Hospital in Sutton and had eight sessions of chemotherapy (oxaliplatin) and then five sessions of radiotherapy. The oxaliplatin side effects were mainly cold sensitivity which was awful, I couldn’t have cold drinks, touch anything cold or even breathe cold air. I also had muscle spasms and sickness meaning I’d be in bed for around five days after each chemotherapy. I now have permanent chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy in my feet and hands, it is particularly bad in my feet, and they are constantly cold and numb and tingle all the time.

The pandemic has been hard. I had to shield during the first lockdown as I was less than a year since my treatment ended. It was difficult having to rely on food drop offs and not being able to go out even for a walk and when things started opening up I was very wary, luckily I’ve managed to avoid COVID!

My life has changed immensely since my diagnosis. I’ve been unable to return to work due to the neuropathy in my feet. I have bad health anxiety now, every twinge I get I worry about. I also suffer from depression, I’m definitely not the person I was before physically or mentally. I won’t take medication because I’m worried they may cause cancer to return, I worry all the time.

I am thankful though to the royal Marsden for their incredible work, for saving my life with their pioneering treatment and enabling me to see my children grow up and I will be forever grateful to them.