A diagnosis of stage 4 bowel cancer doesn’t have to be the end of your life, it can be the reason to start living it”
Since my diagnosis in 2013 I’ve been so lucky to come through treatment in such good shape. I’m aiming to make the most of these ‘bonus years’ and am enjoying my life.
This list isn’t exhaustive and isn’t intended as a boast, rather it’s a demonstration of what sort of things can be achieved despite having advanced bowel cancer and long-term chemo
- Came through major bowel surgery
- Managed the intense stage of chemo bang on schedule
- Lived an ‘extra’ 6 years … and counting!
- Launched a successful new company whilst on chemo
- Developed much better relationship skills – closer than ever to friends and family
- Adopted my lovely dog Pippa
- Survived getting hit by a Porsche and the two major surgeries that followed
- Recipient of two major awards
- 2016 Beating Bowel Cancer Annual Achievement Award
- 2019 Communique Healthcare Communications Advocate
- Learned to ‘Enjoy myself doing nothing’ (especially having cuddles on the sofa with Pips of course)
- Trained and qualified as a Yoga Teacher
- Passed the Red Belt in the Budokon Mixed Martial Arts programme
- Attended three House of Commons receptions on behalf of bowel cancer patients
- Active volunteer with Bowel Cancer UK – moderator on the patient forum, Patient Voice to raise awareness of the disease, co-writer of several support booklets, active campaigner for improved care.
- Set up Strive for Five to help give hope to people with stage 4 bowel cancer
- Expert Patient with Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland
- Raised over £32k so far for Beating Bowel Cancer
- Travelled throughout UK and Europe plus went to the US at least 6 times as well as a yoga holiday in Bali and this year travelled to USA, Brunei, Borneo and Vietnam