My names Lucy and I am a 33 year old, living in Tassie. I work as a paramedic and in August 2023 I had my own medical emergency, and I was diagnosed with bowel cancer.
After my diagnosis I took some time off work to comprehend my news. Receiving this news was the most terrifying diagnosis I could have ever heard; I was scared for myself but mostly for my husband and children.
At the start of 2023 I was taken to hospital by ambulance with horrific abdominal pain, I was later told I had a bowel obstruction, although surgeons weren’t convinced. I had a surgical procedure and my appendix were removed as a precaution.
After surgery I was still experiencing pain and a few days later noticed dark red blood in my stool. As a medical professional, I knew this was not right so went straight to my doctor. I then did bowel screening and blood was detected in all three samples and I was referred for a colonoscopy.
Less than a week later I received my devastating news.
After this I was advised to seek the opinion of a colorectal specialist, which I did. After speaking with him I was soon booked in for a major bowel resection with an estimated 30% chance of a temporary ileostomy. Following the surgery, I woke up with an ileostomy which broke my confidence. Luckily the cancer had not reached my lymph nodes. I was lucky enough to only live with an ileostomy for 2 months, but it was two months of anxiety, low self esteem and uncomfortableness.
Two months after my resection I had my ileostomy reversed and the surgeon also found an incarcerated hernia. Both surgeries knocked me for six. I lost weight, due to loss of appetite, nausea, lethargy, fatigue and the worst pain I’ve ever experienced. Since my ileostomy reversal I have healed well, gained some weight and feel so much better. I am now back at work doing what I love.
This whole experience was the worst thing I have ever been through. My mental health deteriorated over night. But I am so lucky to not go through chemotherapy and radiation. I say I am lucky because I know there is always someone worse off than I am. Experiencing cancer allows me to relate to patients suffering with cancer but suffering from mental health too. I am so much more aware and have a better understanding of both cancer and poor mental health.
I am now under my specialist for the next five years with regular blood work, ultrasounds, CT scans and colonoscopies. Having cancer changed my life and my look on life.
My one piece of advice for others:
Advocate for your health, if something feels wrong, most of the time it is. Get a second, third and fourth opinion until you are satisfied. Life is precious.