“Still go out and live life” - Richard’s advice for life post-treatment

After being diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer in 2019 at age 38, Richard tries to maximise every opportunity and won't be held back after his large colon removal.

You get a momentary feeling like being winded when a doctor tells you, "It's most likely cancer". I didn't cry, break down or express any kind of reaction, so much so that the two doctors had to confirm that I understood everything. Truth be told, I was overcome with guilt, feeling that I had let my loved ones down. In particular, my eight-year-old daughter, as the idea of her growing up without her father was inconceivable and unbearable.

After diagnosis, I had to have an operation that involved the removal of my large colon. Life after treatment resulted in frequent trips to the loo, and let's just say that every trip is a watery one, so effectively I’m living with permanent diarrhoea. Consequently, I need to pay greater attention to my hydration. The use of toilet tissue has now become an area in which I have a great deal of expertise, as it has a significant impact on whether I experience mild or severe irritation and itchiness.

Post-diagnosis, I’ve now become much more enthusiastic about saying 'yes’. For quite some time, saving for rainy days took a back seat as my attitude was, and still is, that I’m fortunate enough to have another go at this life, so I aim to maximise any opportunity. I joined a running club because of this, and I’m now more focused on staying in shape, eating healthier, and avoiding certain foods. However, I'll also drink that glass of wine or that pint of beer and try to spend as much time as possible with my family and friends too. I rarely watch television these days also after spending a considerable amount of time on the sofa and in bed watching it while recovering.

#OneThing I want people to know is that before my diagnosis, the idea of a medical professional digging around below filled me with dread. When we first explored food allergies as a cause for my symptoms, I had to submit a stool sample and I put this off for days. Naively, hoping that my symptoms would change, I also told myself it wouldn’t be required because I couldn’t think of anything more disgusting and humiliating that trying get my own poo in a Tupperware container and then take it on a road trip to the doctor’s surgery. Fast forward to today and I’ll happily talk openly about my experiences if it helps others, and if that raises eyebrows or giggles, then not a problem. ??

If, like me, you’ve retained some or part of your colon, here are some of my tips for life post-treatment:

1. Make sure you have good toilet paper on hand - trust me on this!
2. When planning activities, consider your need for access to good loos, but don’t let this hold you back, still go out and live life
3. I try new foods on a Saturday, because I can stay home on a Sunday if needed. For me, most foods are okay. I once allowed a bottle of wine to sway my judgement on ordering a very hot curry but that was actually a mistake that I paid for the next day. Unlike my diagnosis, that did involve real tears…
4. Over time, people will assume that you’re fully recovered, but they may not understand the underlying symptoms that will remain with you forever. It’s important to make allowances for them
5. Whatever works for you, try to increase your activity levels. I always have a better day the day after I’ve been running, even if my knees don’t always agree

• Read more about living with and beyond bowel cancer
• Learn more about Bowel Cancer Awareness Month

• Read more real life stories