Kirsten’s Story

“Santa brought me cancer for Christmas.”

That’s how Waikato local Kirsten Morland introduces her story – a touch of humour to soften the weight of what came next.

Just two weeks before her 45th birthday and three weeks before Christmas, Kirsten was diagnosed with bowel cancer.

“The prognosis wasn’t fabulous, but my medical team believed I was still treatable – it was just going to take time. About a year and a half.”

Kirsten’s journey to diagnosis was long and frustrating. “I had all the classic symptoms – blood in stool, fatigue, abdominal pain, and changes in bowel habits. But because I was 43 and female, doctors kept pointing to hormonal issues. It took over a year to
get a proper diagnosis.” When her stool test came back with elevated calprotectin levels, she says, “I didn’t know what that meant, so I turned to Dr Google… infections, celiac disease, and colorectal cancer. Guess which words stuck with me?” The confirmation
came soon after, and she went into her colonoscopy “ready to fight.”

Treatment has been grueling. “Let’s be honest – treatment is brutal. You’re basically pouring Roundup into your system to kill the cancer, and it kills everything.” Over her journey she’s had six surgeries, months of chemotherapy and radiation, and now lives
with a stoma. Alongside medical treatment, she’s found strength in meditation, yoga, and breathwork. “If my mental health is strong, my body is stronger too.” Adjusting to physical changes has been one of her biggest challenges, but she’s proud of how far
she’s come. “This journey has made me a better person – more compassionate, less reactive, and more grounded.”

Through it all, Kirsten says her parents and friends have been her greatest support. “The moments that mean the most are the ones where I feel seen, loved, and included.” She continues to work full-time, credits her employer for flexibility, and values the
sense of normality that brings. Her message is clear: “You don’t have to be old to get bowel cancer.

Listen to your body. If something feels off, speak up – you know yourself best.” Above all, she hopes sharing her story will remind others that “vulnerability is strength” and that “it’s never too late to rewrite the ending.”