Cancer Diagnosis and Surgery
My journey began with a visit to my GP for a few unrelated symptoms, one of which was an increase occurrence of dry-retching (later deduced this was a symptom of the cancer). This made him organise a blood test for iron and referrals for endoscopy tests (upper and lower). From these I found out that not only was I deficient in iron, but I also had bowel cancer (early stages), which they told me after I woke up from the procedure. Due to complications with the biopsy, the doctors had me stay in hospital overnight for observation. During this time I did some research on the causes and found out that the cancer was most likely caused by my lifestyle choices, especially around exercise and diet, which was lacking as I took my body for granted (later I found out this was not the cause in my case). So, this made me feel very guilty that I had done this to myself and was determined to get healthier when I was in a suitable place with my cancer.
While I was in hospital for observation, the gastroenterologist said that I had to have surgery to remove the cancer and at this time could be done in a couple of weeks, because it was still in the early stages. This was then rescheduled to the Monday after my diagnosis, because the surgeon had a free spot, meaning I could get it over and done with, without having to wait. However, that night I fainted from loss of blood from the biopsy. Luckily, I had the nous to press the "call" button and sit down before I fainted, so I wouldn't fall that far, if at all. When I came to, I found four nurses leaning over me and was wheeled into emergency surgery that night, which was the 7th June 2024.
I woke up the next morning in the ICU and I was rushed to eat breakfast and stand up (with the help of a walker and physio), which was unexpectedly very painful and something I could not do on my own, after this I was wheeled up into my room. Due to the surgery I had, I needed assistance to do certain things I took for granted. Luckily, I had booked all this through the private health system, which meant I had a room to myself, this plus the professionalism of the nurses made this process from a very embarrassing experience to a much more normal experience. I also had to adapt to new ways of doing things, like walking, esp. up and down stairs.
A few days after surgery (while I was still in hospital), I found out from the biopsy results that my cancer was caused by Lynch Syndrome, which is a genetic condition that predisposes those that have it to a number of cancers, the most common being bowel cancer. I was also told my cancer was a very aggressive type and that it had spread to a few lymph nodes, meaning I would have to undergo chemo after my recovery. I later found out that this syndrome was on my mum's side of the family. Although, I felt very relieved that the cause wasn't health related, I was still determined to get healthier, because I didn't want to aggravate/have more issues related to the surgery and recovery. However, this being a genetic condition meant that it could affect any children I had or would have in the future, as well as any siblings (same family line as myself), each having a 50% chance of getting the condition and if they did contract it would need yearly colonoscopies for the rest of their life, like I am required to have from now on. Thankfully, I was the only one from the people in my family who'd been tested to have contracted cancer from this condition.
Upon meeting the oncologist during my hospital stay, I was told that after I had fully recovered from the surgery I had to undergo 6 months (12 cycles) of chemo, which meant that my stint with cancer was not over with yet.
I am very thankful to my bible study group for visiting me during my hospital stay and providing their support for me during this process.