Photo caption from (L-R) Specialist Bowel Care Nurse Sunette, with patient Paul and registered nurse Meg Thomas during treatment at Icon Cancer Centre.
“The doctor walked past and asked if the cancer nurse had come in to see me, so I knew then that it wasn’t just a haemorrhoid I was dealing with,” he said.
From there, he underwent a series of scans, radiation therapy and surgery.
“After going through all of that, I was told that they hadn’t got it all and that it had spread to my lungs,” he said.
He now undergoes chemotherapy every two weeks at Icon Cancer Centre Rockingham.
“My treatment now is to keep the cancer at bay.
“It’s tough because the chemo really takes a toll on my body and I’m in a cycle where I’m wiped out and can’t do much in the week following chemo. Then when I finally start to come good, it’s time to go back for another round of chemo.”
Paul said one of the positive aspects of going through his treatment journey is meeting caring nurses such as Sunette.
“I wish I’d met Sunette earlier in my cancer journey. She’s been very good to me. Just having her there to talk to has made a big difference. We have a good old chinwag while I’m having treatment,” he said.
“As a former paramedic, I know what’s going on. So it’s good to have Sunette there to talk to when I’m having a bad day.
“The bowel care nurse is such an important role that makes a big difference in the lives of people living with bowel cancer.
“I try to stay as positive as I can but I’m no superhero and I have my bad days.
“Without the care and professionalism from all of my medical team, I wouldn’t be here. And I’m thankful for that.”
He said he is determined to make the most of his good days before undergoing chemotherapy. He enjoys spending time with his family along with his two dogs, Bear and Chloe.
“If you have symptoms, don’t wait, take it seriously. If it isn’t serious, that’s great. If it’s serious, you need to get on top of it early,” he said.
“I could be in a very different situation if I’d gone to the doctor earlier. People are embarrassed about sharing their symptoms and they shouldn’t be.”
Through her role, Sunette is also raising awareness to reduce the stigma surrounding bowel cancer, so more people feel comfortable seeking medical advice and participating in screening programs, which are vital for early detection and better outcomes for bowel cancer patients.
“I think there is still a misconception that if you don’t have a family history of bowel cancer, you won’t get it and you don’t need to be screened,” she said.
“In fact, most new cases occur in people without any family history and everyone’s personal risk is different. We are also seeing an increase in the number of bowel cancer patients aged under 45-years-old. So, if you have symptoms, it’s important to seek medical advice.”
To find out more about the specialist Bowel Care Nurses at Icon Cancer Centre, visit https://iconcancercentre.com.au/library/specialist-bowel-care-nurse-at-icon-cancer-centre/
Specialist Bowel Care Nurses can support by:
- providing an ongoing point of contact and support
- coordinating care throughout the cancer journey
- assisting with access to services both in the hospital and community
- providing reliable information regarding diagnosis and treatment planning
- helping to manage treatment related side effects
- assisting access to support groups and/or supportive resources
Specialist Bowel Care Nurses are generously supported by Bowel Cancer Australia.
