Annette explained the doctor carried out an internal examination and then began to quiz her about the blood in her stools, asking whether it was appearing on her toilet paper when she wiped or if it was actually running through the stool.
When she explained it was the latter, the medic broke the news that this was ‘not normal’.
“If you have an internal haemorrhoid, normally the blood just goes on your toilet paper or in the bowl,” Annette continued. “Going through the stool was a bit of a concern. So, she sent me off for a colonoscopy and they found something there.”
Even still, Annette ‘wasn’t too concerned’ because she thought she simply needed the haemorrhoid removed.
She said: “But my daughter came along with me for the results because she was a bit more concerned. And sure enough, they told me that they had found the stage three cancer called rectal squamous cell carcinoma.
“Which was a massive shock…you just don’t believe that you’re going to be that person that’s got it and I felt really quite healthy. All those things could have been explained away or I’d explain them away.
“I just think that we do that, we just kind of think it’s one thing or another and we justify things, but just please don’t.
Annette said she has just completed an ‘intense’ combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy over a six week period, and now has to wait until November to undergo further tests to check that the treatment worked.
Wrapping up the clip, she added: “The purpose of this video is just to really listen to your body and don’t excuse symptoms. Just go and get them checked, ask questions and advocate for yourself – because I had a lot of tests done and I thought everything was okay, but luckily, I had enough of a niggling doubt and my family and friends told me to go and get some more tests done.
@gracecostsnothing My symptoms of Stage 3 rectal/anal cancer. Hope this helps some one else. cancer rectalcancer analcancer bowelcancer cancersymptoms colonoscopy
“Hopefully, I’ve caught this early enough and this treatment will work.”
Social media users praised the Aussie for her ‘candid disclosure’ and flooded the comment section with well wishes.
One said: “Thank you for sharing, this is so brave of you. No doubt will save lives.”
Another wrote: “I second this. Everyone go and get a colonoscopy. I was tired with low iron and had precancerous polyp removed! If I didn’t have that I’d have bowel cancer in a few years.”
A third added: “That was a very clear and educational video…it’s great you were able to share such a personal experience and quite possibly save someone’s life! All the very best for your life ahead.”
