"Bowel Cancer screening saved my life"

I had a regular bowel screening kit through the post which I have always done , on this occasion it came back with abnormalities, which worried me . I was sent for a colonoscopy within two weeks and was told on the day I had bowel cancer and needed an operation . This news really shook my self and family up as I had no symptoms and the word cancer upsetting in its self .I had bloods , scans and met with the surgeon, who then arranged a date for surgery . As I have Parkinson’s they were very cautious about my anaesthesia and also have heart disease. All extra complications to be considered.

The surgery went very well with a robotic procedure, I spent the night in intensive care , and was able to walk to the ward the next day . I was discharged within three days .The staff in all areas were caring ,professional and reassuring. I couldn’t have wished for a better experience.

I would like to say that the screen test saved my life , without this the cancer would have spread until the next test .The biopsy showed it was a grade two and because it was caught very early stages , the lymph nodes attached to the section of bowel, they took out  26 in total , all came back clear of cancer . So no further treatment of chemo or radiotherapy was needed. A five year follow up plan has been put in place .

From start to finish this has been a very surreal feeling , still not quite believing this has happened to me , but so lucky that this was found early and treated so quickly .I am in my 60s  with Parkinson’s and heart disease, and had a triple heart bypass when I was in my late 50s. I have always tried to keep fit and whenever rehab is offered to me, I take it .

For my Parkinson’s which I have had just over two years , I regularly do boxercise and Pilates every week and I did the heart rehab gym work after my bypass , so when I was offered rehab after my bowel cancer surgery, I took up this offer with the living with and beyond cancer therapy team. Rebecca and Helen were very motivating to help get my fitness levels back .I also saw a dietician called Deborah  the gym who arranged an appointment to talk about my muscle wastage due to my Parkinson’s .She was very informative and suggested more protein in my diet to help . This has helped a lot along with the gym work and has built my muscles back . My gym work with Rebecca and Helen was made enjoyable even though I ached a bit the next day .Each week we had a different variety of exercises along with motivational music, the TM gym in Barnstaple was a very welcoming to do this rehab.