I was diagnosed with bowel cancer in January at the age of 39 and discovered Charley's blog not too long after. It resonated with me immediately as I too have very young children (5 and 2) and I could relate to Charley's humour too. To those of you who knew her personally, be assured that she really touched the life of strangers, as I have seen many posts about her on the Beating Bowel Cancer forum. Her family, though undoubtedly deep in grief just now, will have that to be proud of in the future along with so many other things. I hate to think about her poor wee boy and girl having to grow up without the mum who obviously loved them so much and this is my ultimate fear for my children, although the signs are good that my chemotherapy is seeing off my tiny secondary lung tumour and I feel positive and strong. I have read Charley's last post several times and sobbed my way through it each time. A truly inspirational young woman.
What I would say to all of you, is that if you feel that there is something wrong, push, push, push your GP. They are NOT looking for cancer in young people. I attended mine several times in the run up to diagnosis and there was never any suggestion that there was anything serious, even though I was occasionally vomitting, had serious bowel problems and complaining of excritiating pain (for which I was told to "take paracetamol". I was seriously doubled over a lot of the time.) I was eventually referred to a gastroenterologis but the appointment was going to take at least 12 weeks to come through. We decided to go private as my husband had free cover through his work and saw a colorectal surgeon who felt a lump straight away. I was sent for a scan, found to have a large tumour and was operated on the next week. The tumour had perforated my bowel wall and was attached onto an ovary which also had to be removed. Unfortunately, had I waited for my NHS appointment, I don't know how far advanced it would have been. I fully support the NHS but think that GPs seriously need to be aware that cancer doesn't just affect the elderly. When I go for chemo or to support groups, there are many people in the 30s and 40s and sometimes younger, so it's NOT that unusual. I wonder how awareness can be raised.
I must add that since my diagnosis, I cannot speak highly enough of all the care I have received both privately and from my GPs.