I was diagnosed with Stage 3 rectal cancer the day before my 39th birthday.

I’d been sick on and off for a few months with weight loss, cramps and diarrhoea.

My GP did a stool test and it showed I had a parasite, and gave me antibiotics.

Two weeks later I was no better so he referred me to a colorectal surgeon. While waiting to be seen I started bleeding from my rectum.

I still remember the words - its cancer, you are young, and we’ve got it early.

The next few months were a roller coaster of radiation, chemo and surgery.

I’ve been NED for fifteen years, but it’s been a hard fifteen years of multiple bowel obstructions. I also have a few autoimmune conditions, surgeries and LARS.

My ovaries and vagina were fried by radiation which caused menopause. I’m not sure that reversing my ileostomy was the right thing to have done and I’m considering going back to having a stoma.

Despite all this I work as a carer and I’m generally pretty happy. Last year at 52 I started surfing lessons 🏄‍♀️

My one piece of advice for others:

Don’t be a fool, know your stool. Noticing a change in bowel habit and talking about it with friends is what prompted me to go to the doctor.