Celia’s Bowel Cancer Journey

In December 2016, at the age of 64, I received a test kit as part of the National Bowel Screening Programme. Having no worries that the result would be normal, I duly took a stool sample and posted it as requested.

I had no bowel symptoms whatsoever – the odd bout of constipation/diarrhoea I always put down to dietary intake or a bleeding haemorrhoid, a relic of my child bearing years.

Within a few weeks I received a letter from Bowel Screen informing me that my sample was positive for blood and inviting me for a colonoscopy in St James’s hospital. I was a bit taken aback but decided it was a great opportunity to have a free check of my bowel, to reassure me considering my age. For the exam I followed the instructions for clearing out my bowel along with dietary instructions and arrived fasting for the procedure.

I was greeted by a nurse who took my details and then by the consultant, Mr Mac Carthy, consultant gastroenterologist who took my history and discussed what the procedure entailed. I had a needle inserted into my arm through which I had blood taken for lab testing and sedation was given to me. I slept for the following twenty minutes approximately, but I was aware of the examination of my colon.

At no time did I feel uncomfortable or experience any pain. When the sedation wore off after a period I got dressed and awaited a review of the procedure by the consultant. He asked for my husband to join me for this talk to ensure we both had an understanding of the findings.

I was informed that a cyst/lump had been found in my upper colon and this needed further investigation, with a sample sent to the laboratory. I was to be notified as soon as the results were analysed and whether further treatment i.e. removal would be required. Needless to say I was stunned by this news but was reassured in a comforting manner. Dr Mac Carthy told me that Prof McCormick, colorectal consultant would take over my care.

In December 2016, a week before Christmas, I had laparoscopic right hemicolectomy in St James’s.  I spent less than a week in hospital as I had no abdominal wound, just three small incisions, which healed quickly. As the tumour which had been removed was cancerous and had spread to a lymph node I was referred to Prof Gallagher, consultant Oncologist. He advised a six month course of chemo therapy, once every two weeks. As a medical geneticist he reassured me that my cancer was not hereditary, which was good news for my four daughters.

I attended the oncology day ward, a very busy unit, where my treatment was always processed with care and attention by the great nursing staff. I received chemo fluid over a period of hours via a portocath, a device inserted into the right side of my chest to draw blood and give treatment into a vein under the skin. This saves having to prick the skin for a vein at each treatment.

I flew through the first three treatments with little side effects, the last nine were more difficult with loss of appetite and nausea. There was always a support nurse to consult and speak with and solve any problems I had.

When I finished the chemo treatment I had follow up scans, colonoscopies and consultations with liaison nurses and my consultant on a regular basis. It is now five years since my treatment and I have the highest regard and respect for the staff of St James’s Hospital.

My message is to encourage people to engage with the Bowel Screen Programme when its offered. The fact that my bowel cancer was discovered by the screening programme saved my life.