Emma's Story

Hi to all at Ben Saunders Foundation… In July 2023, I was admitted to hospital with anaemia, treated with blood transfusions and iron infusions. Celiac and another auto immune disease was diagnosed with no further investigation.

November 2023 the same thing happened. A FIT test was positive for blood and a colonoscopy showed a large tumour in my bowel. I had an operation in January 2024 to defunction the bowel and have stoma to help reduce the swelling of the bowel, stop the pain and help me get healthier for the next operation.

In February 2024 I had an operation to remove part of the bowel with the tumour, remove any infected lymph nodes and blood vessels and reverse the stoma. Surgery was a massive success, tumour was intact and all 38 lymph nodes were clear. Chemotherapy started this week to reduce the risk of the cancer reoccurring.

I am 41, have an amazing supportive husband and 2 fantastic boys aged 11 and 15, We had to cancel a weekend away at LowerMill in the Cotswolds due to starting chemotherapy so we are so excited to get away.

It will be a lovely treat for us all, especially my husband and my boys as their lives have been turned upside down during these few last months while I’ve been ill and in and out of hospital as well as lots of recovery at home.

We now know that the anaemia was caused by the cancer. I would like my story to be shared to raise awareness of all the bowel cancer symptoms and to ensure people know about the FIT test and request one from their GP if they need to.

I’m now very pleased to say I’m all clear! We’re now looking forward to some well-earned rest and quality family time at Ben’s Lodge.

Thank you to everyone at Bens foundation for this opportunity