22/01/2023
My Journey with Colon Cancer
I’ve been very quiet on the Mindful Coach page. Just over a year on from surgery, I have the courage to talk about my experience. To be honest I’m a bit nervous about sharing this information so publicly. But I decided it could help someone and so worth sharing my very personal journey with colon cancer.
The last two years have been such big years for everyone. We were faced with a global pandemic, along with all the fear and uncertainties that came with that. People were worried for their lives, their health, their jobs, staying afloat, keeping their homes, lockdowns. Many lost their jobs and their homes for varying reasons.
And through this time while I was in the process of selling our home/house, I found myself in hospital one day due to severe pain I was experiencing in my lower abdomen. After routine test had been done and expecting to be discharged I fell asleep. I was woken up by a lovely lady doctor at 10 pm, to tell me they had found a tumour that was blocking my colon!
I actually didn’t believe her and thought (hoped and prayed) they had made a mistake. I remember asking, ‘are you sure?’ !!
I was scheduled for emergency surgery the next day! I was shocked and terrified and due to Covid protocols, wasn’t allowed any visitors. The next day sure enough I was prepped for surgery and wheeled down. I was in disbelief as to how this could be happening to me.
Years of mostly healthy eating, green juices and smoothies, yoga and meditation. How could this happen to me? I seem to remember, that’s what Louise Hay said to herself when she was told she had breast cancer.
I waited for three weeks for my results post surgery over the new year period, wandering whether this was it! Luckily the surgeon was able to remove everything and I was given the all clear (with ongoing 3 monthly check ups). I remember sobbing in relief and happiness. All I could think about was my daughters and being around for them. I am one of the very fortunate ones.
This experience deeply humbled me and has had a profound affect on me. I went into deep reflection and contemplation about life. Took the whole of 2022 off to heal, rest and write.
I reached depths I didn’t know existed for me. Lows that nearly broke me. I’m so grateful for the support of many dear people in my life that were there for me, including the support from the Cancer Society.
Through this experience I changed my life style, moved, changed how I live, changed my diet, did juice fasts and detoxes, took up new forms of exercise, spent time in nature, journaled, read, trained in a powerful psycho sensory modality, spent time with people that nourish and support me, reduced as much stress as possible, healed and grown through all of it. It’s been deeply moving and in many ways a blessing. So much has come out of this experience and how I’d like to move forward in 2023.
What’s unfolded is that I’d like to set up a clinic in town and offer support to people healing from cancer. I would also like to continue supporting those experiencing stress in general. To offer meditation, mindfulness, Havening (*), coaching and mostly to offer a space where people can be heard.
As I look at this year ahead I feel the work that I do and the experiences I’ve been through can be put to good use to support others. It’s given me a better understanding of people’s pain, stress and trauma and I want to help in whatever way I can.
One things for sure life is a gift. We don’t ever know how long we have it for, no matter how fit and healthy we are. I thought I was very healthy. Each day is a blessing, how can we use it well? What possibilities and opportunities are right in front of us? How can we support each other better? How can we love more? What would love do?
Our experiences shape us and we have a choice as to whether we react or respond to what happens to us. We can choose to put our experiences to good use, to step forward and use what we’ve learnt.
Thank you for reading this far. I hope there’s something in this that will resonate for you and encourage you to seize the day 🙌
Every day is a day to heal further.
In Loving Grace 💚💜 🙏
- This sharing is inspired by a friend who publicly shared her health journey. She gave me the courage to do the same. Thank you to her!
- For more information about bowel/colon cancer, check ups, what to look out for, support - go to, https: //bowelcancernz.org.nz/
* Havening is a rapid and powerful psychosensory technique that helps your brain to rewire unhelpful reactions – thoughts, feelings, behaviours – so that you can release stress, trauma, anxiety, overwhelming emotions and build resilience, confidence and self-esteem.
( https: //womanmagazine.co.nz/what-is-havening-a-doctor-shares-how-this-new-compassionate-medicine-tool-works/?mibextid=Zxz2cZ&fbclid=IwAR2jueulv0_7_u6sxzeausrz1haABp-UXQ05YGz1YGfCORU3Q04nADMnkoU )
