Renae's Story

At 44 years old, I never imagined I would be diagnosed with bowel cancer.

I had no symptoms at all - just low iron levels that didn’t seem quite right. That small clue led to a colonoscopy in November 2024, which changed my life. I was diagnosed with bowel cancer.

Just weeks later, in December 2024, I underwent a right hemicolectomy. The pathology confirmed Stage 3B bowel cancer, meaning the cancer had spread to lymph nodes and further treatment was needed.

At the time I was a working mum, balancing part-time work and caring for my children, trying to keep life as normal as possible.

In January 2025, I began six months of chemotherapy, finishing in July 2025. Chemo was one of the hardest things I’ve ever faced. The steroids, exhaustion, and side effects took a toll physically and emotionally. My hair thinned, I gained weight, and at times I felt like I had lost parts of myself. I was also left with peripheral neuropathy in my hands and feet.

But I kept going.

Through it all, I was incredibly grateful for the support of the team at Bowel Cancer Australia, who provided guidance, support, and reassurance when things felt overwhelming.

Cancer isn’t just physical - it’s a mental and emotional battle every day. But the support of family, friends, and the wider bowel cancer community helped me keep moving forward.

This journey has been full of uncertainty, fear, and resilience. It has also shown me the incredible strength that comes from family, community, and hope.