Donna’s Story – An Update
“At the end of January a year ago, I got a tummy cramp that came and went over a week to 10 days. Earlier that month, I’d seen blood, once, in the toilet. With 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.’
On March 1st, I had a colonoscopy. The specialist’s words will forever stay with me: ‘I’m sorry, Donna, you have cancer.’ I was in shock.
Two weeks later, I had an extended right hemicolectomy. The tumour was 5cm and had grown through the bowel wall. Unfortunately, I had post-operative complications, including an ileus (my bowel went into a coma). I was nil by mouth for 11 days, had faecal vomiting, needed a PIKK line for TPN, and a nasogastric tube. My mental health spiralled.
I didn’t cope well being in hospital, despite being treated so well. It felt like every new piece of news brought more bad news. The cancer had spread into my lymph nodes, and I needed six months of chemotherapy.
I had another surgery to insert a portacath into my chest for the chemo. Two days later, treatment began. I was diagnosed as stage 3B, T4.
My first oncology appointment was almost a blur. The statistics were too low for my liking. I recall telling my oncologist that I was either going to faint or vomit—I didn’t hear anything else for the rest of the consultation. I knew nothing about chemo and was so anxious.
Every two weeks, I received one chemotherapy session through my portacath, followed by 46 hours at home with a pump. The first week after each cycle was tough—brain fog, diarrhoea, nausea, lethargy, pins and needles. I couldn’t eat or drink anything that wasn’t warm or hot, as my throat would swell.
It sounds awful—and it was—but my biggest goal was to avoid hospitalisation from illness or infection. Winter bugs, COVID, influenza—I couldn’t afford to get sick. I set up a spot on my enclosed deck with a heater, where I could stay in the fresh air and away from germs.
As a nurse and counsellor, I thought I was mentally strong. But this journey challenged my mental health like nothing before. The fear of the unknown was terrifying. Yet, I learned how resilient the body is. Each chemo cycle became a little easier as I knew what to expect.
Cancer doesn’t discriminate—it can affect anyone. You have no choice but to go with the flow and take it one day at a time.
I would never have coped without my loving and supportive husband, my four children, my two little grandchildren, my parents, siblings, and a few close friends. A text or message meant so much, just to know people cared. This journey has made me reevaluate what and who is important in life.
Donna with her husband
I’ve finished chemo now and am currently cancer-free. My portacath will remain in my chest for another year in case the cancer returns. I still suffer from peripheral neuropathy, which is painful and distressing at times. But I’m so relieved not to live in constant fear anymore.
Scans, blood tests, and colonoscopies will now be part of my life. But I am forever grateful that it was me who got cancer and not someone I love—because that would have been even harder. For now, I continue to take one day at a time and hold onto hope. Without hope, we have nothing. Sending love to all those dealing with cancer.”
Thank you, Donna, for bravely sharing your story and helping to bring awareness to the reality of bowel cancer.
Are you or a loved one affected by bowel cancer? We offer a range of support services to help throughout your journey, including free counselling, physiotherapy, and financial assistance to ease the burden of treatment and recovery.
Reach out to our registered nurse, Victoria, at here4you@bowelcancernz.org.nz for guidance, resources, and compassionate care.