Walking Miles in May after 'getting life back'

As April marks Bowel Cancer Awareness month, Joanne Brown shares her patient journey and now, as a thank you, is raising funds with her family for our Colorectal Department.

Joanne, a mum of two from Crewe, had been experiencing back ache, bloating and discomfort for a year before going to visit her GP.

Aged just 36, Joanne had a colonoscopy examination which revealed a tumour in her bowel. She was told it was likely to be cancerous and that it would need to be removed straight away. The scale of the operation would mean that Joanne would have life-changing surgery which would result in her having to wear a stoma bag for the rest of her life.

Joanne said: “It took a while for the information to sink in but I started designing stoma bag covers with emojis on so the kids wouldn’t be frightened. I needed to be okay, because I’m the main carer for my nan, disabled mum and my three disabled brothers. I decided to explore every option and I was told a doctor at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital who specialised in colon cancer could possibly help.”

Three months on from her diagnosis she was transferred to the Royal where she met Consultant Gastroenterologist and Advanced Endoscopist Paul O’Toole and Colorectal Specialist Nurse Ashley Keogh.

Joanne underwent a four-hour operation, where Dr O’Toole successfully removed an 8cm malignant tumour ensuring that he got “all of it” and Joanne even has the photos to prove it.

When asked how she feels about the whole experience she says: “Lucky! I owe my life to the team at the Royal. That may seem dramatic, but I do. They gave me my life back and avoided me having to have a permanent stoma. From the moment I stepped into the Royal I felt cared for, and I knew that no matter what, they were going to do everything they possibly could to help me, and they did. I could never fully repay them for what they have done for me or my family they have given me my life back.

“As a small thank you I have signed up with my family to take part in the Miles in May event. As some of my family have limited mobility we have pledged to walk a mile a day to raise funds for the Colorectal Department at the Royal.”

Knowing the symptoms of bowel cancer could save your life

Bleeding from your bottom and/or blood in your poo

Extreme tiredness for no obvious reason

A persistent and unexplained change in bowel habit

A pain or lump in your tummy

Unexplained weight loss