So this post has a different type of title to what i may usually write, however like many of my blogs its all about poo!!!!
As many of you aware around this time last year hubby started to under go tests as bowel cancer was suspected and on the 31st August we had the diagnosis confirmed. Our life’s were turned upside down and as a family we was about to board the roller coaster ride of the unknown!!!! Hubby was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer and went on to have his tumour removed in the September leaving him with a temporary ileostomy, if this was not hard enough he then had to have 4 cycles of chemo as it had spread to a lymph noid. Easter this year he was declared to be in remission so went on to have an ileostomy reversal and is recovering amazingly.
Cancer is something that never happens to you and only to old people, cancer is something that is not curable along with something that you dont talk about!!! Oh how wrong can you be?????? Cancer is something that could happen to anyone at any age and is also the second biggest killer in wales!! Cancer is not something that people should shy away from and is something that should be spoken about to increase knowledge and even maybe the chances of diagnosis and survival.
At the start of this journey like many others we had absolutely no idea what we was facing and did the worlds worst thing, we searched the internet for answers!!!! Right up until chemo when we decided enough was enough, the info scared the living day lights out of us and on top of which was mostly years old. The most realible information and up to date information comes from individuals travelling a similar journey, individuals that are going through the same cycles as you… these individuals are the real truth about a cancer journey and these individuals lead back to an amazing charity and that is Bowel cancer Uk.
Bowel Cancer uk believes in raising awarness of this killer disease and giving people the knowledge that you are never to young. This charity has shown us that it is good to talk and what I’m doing with my blogs is such a positive thing, i should be holding my head high and not down in shame for talking about a disease that has the potential to kill. Bowel cancer uk shares journeys of others going through similar things to us which has been so helpful to us as a family. It helps you to realise that you are not alone at such a crap time. During our journey we have come across some amazing and truly inspirational individuals travelling similar journeys and this is because of social media… and i believe many of them are also huge supporters of Bowel cancer uk. The majority of the individuals that i have come across during this journey are young, young enough that when looking at them you would never believe that they had cancer. Bowel Cancer UK run a campaign on focusing that you are “ Never to young”. This campaign is obviously close to many hearts and one campaign of many raising awarness with the aim to stamp cancer out for good.
We shared our journey with Bowel Cancer UK to help raise awarness of a disease that will grab you with its claws regardless of your age. By doing this we have not only helped to raise awarness we have hopefully contributed to showing people that talking about poo and all things cancer is important to help assist with raising awarness and knowledge to eventually lower the amount of people that die to 0!!!!! On a personal note, this amazing charity has helped me to realise how important it is to stay fit, healthy and to talk all things poo!!
Bowel Cancer UK and Beating Bowel Cancer are both charities that have one aim and thats to stop people loosing their battles with the second biggest cancer in Wales. January this year they merged together to become the biggest Bowel cancer charity in the UK and i had the honour to help them with launching their new brand and name Bowel cancer uk and highlight how we are “beating bowel cancer together” There aim is to stop people from loosing their battles and improve the quality of life for all impacted by this disease.
The charity dont just raise money and run campaigns like “Never to young”… they will support and fund targeted research, provide expert information as well as support to all those impacted by bowel cancer, they will continue to educate and expand knowledge to the public and even professionals as well as campaigning for early diagnosis and access to the best treatment and care.
When we think about Bowel Cancer we all live in hope that one day there will be a miracle cure and no one will die from this horrible disease!!! I live in hope that it does not come back to haunt us, so with this in mind i love the fact that the knew logo is really bright and has the “Star of Hope” which is the international symbol for bowel cancer. The star represents hope for the future and celebrates the lives of those we have lost to this disease. The star is not only used in the UK it can be seen in the US and other countries. The star of Hope is central to the charity’s identity as it strongly resonates with supporters and patients, who are of course at the heart of an amazing charity.
Bowel Cancer and Beating bowel cancer wanted there new identity to be bright and eye catching, so worked very closely with “The team” which is an award-winning brand and communications agency, they wanted modern and bright and i think its safe to say thats what they got. I was so honoured to be asked to participate in helping to launch the new logo and modern look for the leading bowel cancer charity.
Cancer of any sorts will reach for anyone no matter the age, its vital that we widen our knowledge and not isolate individuals that are impacted by this disease. My world was turned upside down last year and thanks to some amazing individuals sharing their stories I’ve learned that things like emotions are fine, I’ve learned not to bottle things up as its ok to talk, I’ve learned that down days are ok and that you dont always have to be strong and I’ve learned that carers of loved ones going through cancer experience all sorts and its all normal. Ive learned this because of BOWEL CANCER UK and amazing individuals that are not ashamed to share their stories.
Poo facts:
Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK and the second biggest killer, it will take both men and women this disease has no preferences. This disease can take hold on to almost 42,000 a year!!!!!!!
So if you have :
bleeding from your bum and or in your poo
A persistent and unexplained change in your poo habits
Unexplained weight loss
Exreme tiredness for no obvious reason
A pain or lump in your tummy
RtBowel cancer is curable if diagnosed early enough, so yes its as undignified as possible but please go see your doctor if you have any worries.
