

My diagnosis of colorectal cancer came in June 2021, following a doctor’s visit prompted by symptoms such as diarrhea, blood in the stools and a loss of appetite. I have a family history of cancer – my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Since then, I have undergone surgery, chemotherapy and have been prescribed pain medicine. I was eventually declared cancer-free in March 2022.
My name is Angela, I am from the United Kingdom (UK) and this is my cancer story.

The first symptoms that I noticed were diarrhea, blood in my stools, weight loss, a loss of appetite and a general discomfort. This went on for a few months before I could finally seek medical attention as I wasn’t able to see a doctor during the COVID period. Eventually, I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

Learning that I had cancer made me feel fearful and sad. I thought it might just be a case of IBS but it turned out to be bowel cancer.

Following my doctor’s recommendation, I opted for bowel resection/colectomy with the removal of lymph nodes, chemotherapy and pain medication. I was fearful even after deciding on this treatment plan as I was scared I wouldn’t survive and I was worried for my family. I underwent 4 rounds of chemotherapy, both tablet and infusion, over a span of 4 months. I was also on pain medication for 4 months. I had to take nutritional drinks as well to ensure that I was hitting my nutritional needs. After months of treatment, I was finally declared cancer-free in March 2022. Being so thankful to my NHS medical team and raising money for Macmillan are some of the unexpected experiences that I’ve had in my cancer journey.
With regards to the financial aspects of treatment, I am covering the treatment costs myself.

As a result of the treatment, I suffered from diarrhea, hand and foot syndrome and loss of appetite. The diarrhea was especially bad for me and I didn't want to be too far away from a toilet. I tried to manage these side effects by increasing my exercise frequency.

My future plans? I hope to be able to get to the 5-year mark of me being clear of cancer and celebrate it.

Being diagnosed with cancer greatly affected my self-esteem/self-image. I don’t know how I got through it but I started to feel better eventually.
Personally, I feel that dealing with the fear of recurrence is the most challenging aspect of being a cancer survivor. I try to be positive and the love and support of family and friends are helping me greatly in managing my fears.

Ever since I was diagnosed with cancer, I have been fearful of:
- The cancer returning (recurrence)
- Not surviving or dying
- Undergoing treatment (e.g. side effects, pain)
I try to overcome my fears by seeking support from family or friends, focusing on physical recovery and staying active as well as by focusing on positive thinking or gratitude.

I still feel fearful today as I am worried that the cancer may return but I am optimistic.

Don’t be afraid to get medical help. Eat good quality food and do some exercise. Don’t take life and the people in your life for granted. Talk to your partner, family and friends. I always phoned the Macmillian nurses if I was unsure, upset or fearful.
This patient's story is published and shared with their full consent. Any personal data that can be used to identify the patient has been omitted.
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