Peter’s Story

I’m 67 years old and used to brag to people how I was not on any prescription medications but of course I was a ticking time bomb all because of my typical male attitude of “I will be right”. Of course, I was not all right, and I am incredibly lucky to have lived to tell my story.

Ever since I was a young lad I can remember how paranoid my father was about bowel cancer, he ate more kiwifruit and bran than I ever thought was possible. He had good reason to be so frightened by bowel cancer as three of his brothers died from it.

Even though I was well aware of our family history of bowel cancer I went through life trying to avoid thinking about it. I had the cancer screening test sent to me, but I ignored it. I noticed blood on the toilet paper and occasionally suffered from constipation but again I chose to ignore it.

About eighteen months ago I was constipated but when I did finally go it was liquid, had a foul odour and blood was present. Once again, I pushed it to the back of my mind.

Back home in Dunedin, over the next five months I started to suffer from abdominal pains which gradually got worse. I lost 10kgs in three weeks but still I tried to dismiss the pains as being minor or irrelevant all because of my ingrained thought process of ignoring any bowel cancer symptoms.

I had two trips to the A&E where doctors noted that my stomach was distended and bloated and suggested that I was constipated. I told them that I had not eaten for days so constipation seemed unlikely. I was sent home with no medication or advice.

I then visited my doctor who thought the stomach cramps were caused by my intestine and bowel being empty – she prescribed me some pills for cramps. The following day I was sitting at the kitchen table and the pain became overwhelming so I decided to go to bed while my partner rang my doctor – I had a severe fever, an ambulance was called and I was rushed to hospital.

I had a CT scan that showed I had diverticulitis and had perforated my bowel at the colon – causing sepsis. After a four hour operation I awoke with a massive wound down my stomach and all sorts of tubes and monitors attached to me.

The surgeons advised they had found cancer in my bowel which was partially causing a blockage which in turn caused the perforation. Finding cancer complicated the surgery but he was confident that he had removed it all – but as a precaution, I needed to do a course of chemotherapy.

I spent ten days in hospital before I was allowed home. The recovery was very slow with me being hooked up to a suction pump that kept the wound dry 24/7 for eight weeks. I was completely helpless and could not do anything for myself but luckily my partner was able to take care of me.

After eight weeks I started my chemotherapy course which I did not manage very well at all and was pleased to see the end of. Because a section of my bowel was removed I have to use a stoma bag, I hope to have it reversed in the next few months.

I must say that the care given and the professionalism of the staff at Dunedin hospital was second to none, including the district nurses who visited me at home three times a week.

Now almost a year later I have had three monthly blood tests, a colonoscopy and a CT scan last week which have all come back clear.

Please don’t be like me, get yourself checked regularly and if you are not happy with your doctor’s opinion get another one or insist that you get the treatment that you require and deserve.