A young woman has opened up about her health after being diagnosed with bowel cancer. Rebecca Price underwent an operation to remove her large intestine to stop her pain from Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
The 27-year-old had been back-and-fourth to the hospital to manage her symptoms and decided on the life-changing treatment. But the operation revealed that the special educational needs and disabilities teacher had bowel cancer.
She has now thanked Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust cancer teams for getting her through her surgery and treatment. Rebecca said: “Although I went through major surgery and ended up on intensive care several times, I felt more prepared for that as both myself and my doctor spoke in-depth about this before having surgery.
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“No one and nothing can prepare you to be told you have cancer. I thought it was just my other illness flaring up. My whole world stood still.
“Almost a year later to the day it is a word that still haunts me, and I believe to an extent it always will. But I believe through this journey I have learnt a lot about myself and what I am capable of.”
Rebecca, who lives in Birmingham, now has a colostomy bag and was told after her operation that she would need several rounds of chemotherapy to fight the cancer before having more surgery to remove her rectum.
Knowing she wanted to start a family one day, Rebecca and her partner decided to freeze her eggs before this started as chemotherapy can affect fertility. She received three cycles to retrieve as many eggs as possible and describes her experience as “incredible” as this process could mean she has a baby one day.
And now that Rebecca has gone through surgery, chemotherapy, and battled sepsis, she is in recovery and is able to start the process of trying for a baby next year with her partner Stefan.
Rebecca is planning on having a permanent colostomy bag which will allow her to live a healthy life. She is in the process of “finding herself and her new body”, as well as recovering from major surgery.
As well as praising her partner for being her “rock”, she is also commending staff at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust for being her “medical rocks” and getting her through the hardest time of her life.
Rebecca said: “The staff at Walsall Oncology and Chemotherapy Unit have been amazing. I have to say a massive thank you to them and to the Sepsis and Acute Oncology Nurses who were so amazing to me and have taken care of me since the chemotherapy and sepsis. They all fought so hard to support me alongside my family through this journey.
“My workplace has also been incredible throughout this difficult time which I’m so grateful for.”
Kate Adams, Colorectal Clinical Nurse Specialist at Walsall Healthcare, added: “Age is not a barrier. If you are concerned, please seek medical advice. The Colorectal Nursing Team is glad to be able to help Rebecca to start the process of egg retrieval prior to treatment.”
Symptoms of bowel cancer may include:
- changes in your poo, such as having softer poo, diarrhoea or constipation that is not usual for you
- needing to poo more or less often than usual for you
- blood in your poo, which may look red or black
- bleeding from your bottom
- often feeling like you need to poo, even if you’ve just been to the toilet
- tummy pain
- a lump in your tummy
- bloating
- losing weight without trying
- feeling very tired for no reason
Sarah Carter is a health and wellness expert residing in the UK. With a background in healthcare, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, promoting healthier living for readers.
