Stuart Empson, Selby

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I was diagnosed with bowel cancer in March 2021.

Back in the summer of 2020, I started getting what I can only describe as irritable bowel syndrome like symptoms, which became increasingly more uncomfortable and then the bleeding started. I spoke to my GP and after a couple of rounds of blood and stool tests, I finally got referred to the hospital in October 2020.

However, it wasn't until 2 March 2021, during a colonoscopy, that I got the diagnosis I didn't expect whilst in the operating theatre. They told me I had a tumour almost completely blocking my bowel.

Once the scans and biopsy results were in, it was confirmed I had bowel cancer on the 22 March. They also found two anomalies on the liver and a spot on my lungs. Given the size of the tumour they had to operate quickly otherwise I'd become seriously unwell.

So on 30 March I had a successful bowel resection and the tumour was removed. After recovering from surgery, there then followed seven rounds of aggressive chemotherapy, multiple scans and the prospect of liver surgery in the autumn. Further scans indicated that the bowel cancer had definitely spread to the liver.

The chemotherapy was tough, I had good days and bad days; but I remained positive. Apart from the days I had chemotherapy, I worked throughout all the chemotherapy rounds, using work to pull myself round and provide a distraction that I wouldn't otherwise have. I can honestly say that three things got me through the last year, first and foremost my family for their love, compassion and support; my employer for their understanding, flexibility and just treating me as normally as they could; and last but not least having things to look forward to over the months ahead.

In December I then had liver resection surgery where about 30% of my liver was removed; and at the end of April I found out that I am currently cancer free.

It's been tough, very tough. You have to be strong, not just for yourself but also for those around you. It's often friends and family who find the whole situation very difficult to handle – not knowing how to be or what to say. Be strong, be happy and fight for your future.