Fiona’s Story
Fiona
Age at diagnosis: 38
Symptoms: Bleeding, anaemia and low B12, change in bowel movements, weight loss, stomach pain
Duration of symptoms: 18 months
Diagnosis: Stage 4 metastatic bowel cancer
Treatments: 28 cycles chemoradiation, colorectal surgery, 8 rounds Capox chemotherapy, ongoing palliative chemotherapy.
Because I was in my late 30s, I went through a drawn-out process and delays including being denied a specialist appointment twice. Finally, while 30 weeks pregnant, I received the devastating news that I had bowel cancer and then received a colonoscopy and other scans.
I was disappointed that your age is a barrier to being seen and diagnosed with bowel cancer. My experience of an earlier breast cancer scare couldn’t have been more different, being pushed through extremely quickly for what turned out to be a non- cancerous growth.
Now a mum to nearly two-year old Morgan, I’m fighting to be there for each and every precious moment.
You can read more of Fiona’s story here
Fiona sadly passed away in 2020 – our thoughts are with her family and friends.