In 2023, Susan Schmidt, a 47-year-old mother of two from Australia, received life-changing news that no parent ever wants to hear:
she had been diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer. The devastating diagnosis came after months of symptoms that Susan initially overlooked.
A delay she hopes others can learn from. Today, she is determined to share her story, raise awareness about the often-taboo topic of bowel health, and support others facing similar struggles.
A Silent Threat
Bowel cancer, also referred to as colorectal cancer, is a serious condition that affects the large intestine and rectum.
Early detection is critical, as it significantly improves survival rates. Yet, for many, including Susan, the symptoms are subtle, often mistaken for other conditions, or dismissed altogether.
“I didn’t talk about my bowel habits—who does?” Susan said in an interview with the Daily Mail.
“That’s part of the problem with bowel cancer. People don’t raise the alarm early enough.”
Susan’s experience highlights how societal discomfort around discussing bowel health can have dangerous consequences.
From fatigue and constipation to abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits, the early signs are often overlooked because they can be mistaken for minor or everyday health issues.
The Early Signs She Ignored
Before her diagnosis, Susan experienced a combination of fatigue, constipation, and intense abdominal pain.
Despite these warning signs, she did not notice blood in her stool—a symptom often associated with bowel cancer—which made it even easier to dismiss her discomfort.
The first noticeable symptom was relentless tiredness, which started about four months before her diagnosis. Susan, a physiotherapist by profession, initially attributed her fatigue to early menopause.
“I’d drive my daughter 15 minutes to her rowing practice, then have to stop on the way home and nap for 40 minutes,” she recalled.
“That’s not normal. That was a warning sign, but I brushed it off.”
Later, during a trip to France for a friend’s wedding, Susan experienced constipation for the first time in her life. “I just wasn’t going properly.
I blamed it on the rich food, too much cheese, too much indulgence,” she said. “I didn’t think much of it.”
Upon returning to Brisbane, Susan’s symptoms escalated dramatically.
“I ended up on the bathroom floor in absolute agony. Vomiting, diarrhoea, unbearable pain. It lasted for eight hours,” she recalled.
At first, she suspected she had contracted salmonella from her horse. But the intensity of the pain was unlike anything she had ever experienced.
“It was worse than childbirth,” Susan explained. “I was crawling into the shower, trying to relieve the pain with heat. It was a nine out of ten on the pain scale.”
Seeking Answers
Despite the severity of her symptoms, initial medical consultations did not reveal the underlying cause.
Blood and stool tests appeared normal, and doctors initially suggested her discomfort might be related to stress, dietary habits, or hormonal changes associated with menopause.
However, Susan trusted her instincts and continued to push for answers. Eventually, she underwent a colonoscopy—a procedure in which a long, flexible tube with a camera examines the colon and rectum.
What she discovered during that visit would change her life forever.
“When I woke from the colonoscopy, something seemed abnormal,” Susan said. She had not been offered anything to eat or drink, and a nurse informed her that the gastroenterologist would see her shortly.
Moments later, the doctor delivered the devastating news: a tumor had been located.
Further imaging, including a CT scan and MRI, revealed the full extent of her condition.
The cancer had metastasized, spreading from the rectum to her uterus, pelvic lymph nodes, and right lung. The diagnosis was stage 4 bowel cancer, meaning it was incurable.
Facing Stage 4 Bowel Cancer
Receiving a stage 4 cancer diagnosis is a life-altering experience, and Susan approached it with a combination of realism, courage, and determination.
“The diagnosis is incurable,” she told the Daily Mail. “The goal now is to stay well for as long as I can. I’ll probably resume chemotherapy after my next overseas trip.”
Chemotherapy, while often grueling and physically demanding, is one of the primary treatments used to slow cancer progression, relieve symptoms, and improve quality of life for patients with advanced-stage disease.
For Susan, the focus has shifted from curing the disease to managing it, maintaining her health, and spending meaningful time with her family.
Raising Awareness About a Taboo Topic
One of Susan’s primary missions since her diagnosis has been to raise awareness about bowel health—a topic often shrouded in embarrassment and silence.
Bowel cancer is treatable and often curable when detected early, but delayed conversations and reluctance to discuss symptoms can lead to late-stage diagnoses.
“I want people to know the signs,” Susan emphasized.
“Even if your blood work is normal, even if doctors say it’s stress, diet, or hormones, listen to your instincts. Early detection can save lives.”
Her openness about her experience is helping to break the stigma around discussing bowel issues, encouraging individuals to seek medical attention without fear or shame.
Launching The Floozie Foundation
Beyond raising awareness, Susan has taken tangible steps to support others facing cancer.
She founded The Floozie Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting cancer patients and their families in adult cancer wards across Australia.
Through the foundation, Susan provides practical support, resources, and advocacy for patients navigating treatment, hospital stays, and the emotional toll of a cancer diagnosis.
Her goal is to ensure that others facing similar challenges have access to the assistance and encouragement that can make a meaningful difference during one of life’s most difficult periods.
Life as a Mother and Cancer Patient Continue reading…
