Donna’s Story
“At the end of January, I got a tummy cramp that was intermittent over a week to 10 days.
Earlier in the month, I’d seen blood, once, in the toilet. A family history of diverticulitis, I went to my GP who referred me to a specialist. I recall telling him I’d seen blood, once. His reply, it only needs to be once.
I went for a colonoscopy on 1st march. The specialists words – ‘I’m sorry Donna, you have cancer’. I was in shock.
Two weeks later I had an extended right hemicolectomy. The tumor was 5cm and had grown through the bowel wall. Unfortunately, I had post operative complications and had an ileus (bowel went into a coma). I was nil by mouth for 11 days, had fecal vomiting, needed a PIKK line for TPN and a nasal gastric tube….and my mental health spiralled.
I didnt cope well being in hospital despite being treated so well. I felt like every new piece of news, brought bad news. The cancer had spread into the lymph nodes and I needed 6 months of chemotherapy. I had another surgery to insert a portacath into my chest – how the chemo would be fed into my body. Two days later, chemo started. I was stage 3B, T4.
My first oncology appointment was almost a blur with statistics being too low for my liking.
I recall telling my oncologist that I was either going to faint or vomit – I heard nothing else for the rest of the consultation. I knew nothing about chemotherapy and I was so anxious.
Every 2 weeks I get 1 chemotherapy thru my portacath, then come home with a pump for the next 46 hours. The first week is basically a write off with side effects- brain fog, diahrea, nausea, lethargy, pins and needles…..I currently can’t drink or eat anything that isn’t warm or hot because my throat swells. Its tough. It also sounds worse than it is!
My biggest goal throughout this is to avoid being hospitalized from illness or infection. Winter bugs looming, covid, influenza and a compromised immune system, I can’t afford to get sick. I decided to set up a spot on my enclosed deck with a heater in the fresh air where i spend alot of my time. So far, so good!
A background in nursing and counseling, I considered myself a pretty stable and mentally strong person. But this journey has challenged my mental health with fear,.panic,.powerlessness.it’s been terrifying at times. All fear of the unknown. However I’m learning how resilient the body is, and each cycle is easier knowing what to expect. Cancer can affect anyone, no discrepancies. And one is powerless but to go with the flow and try to keep positive by dealing with 1 day at a time.
One thing I’ve learnt about is cancer ghosting. Those who one thought would be there for support, isn’t. This is about them, their discomfort, and not you. I would never have coped without my loving and supportive husband, my 4 children, 2 little grandchildren, parents, siblings and few friends. A text or a message means so much, to know people care. Challenges like this makes one reevaluate what and who is important in life and priorotise things differently.
I still have more cycles to get thru, and there is no guarantee the chemo will work. Once chemo is finished, scans and blood tests and colonoscopies will be a part of life. I will always be greatful that I was the one who got cancer and not someone I love, as that would be even harder for me. For now I continue to take 1 day at a time and hold on to hope. Without hope we have nothing.
Sending love to all those dealing with cancer. Attached is a photo of my husband Simon and I just prior to diagnosis.”