Nick was diagnosed with bowel cancer at age 33.
“I would say I normally go to the toilet very regularly, almost like clockwork, but then I started seeing blood. I didn’t think much of it at first and blamed it on eating too much unhealthy food instead of my usual diet. But the bleeding didn’t stop, and I started noticing my bowel habits were changing too.
“I went to the GP thinking it was something simple like a pile and that some cream or medicine would fix it. Even though the GP didn’t think it was cancer, because of my family history she asked for a colonoscopy as soon as possible, just to rule out anything serious.
“I knew something was wrong from the examination, and after my blood tests, the doctor and nurse told me that this looked like cancer.
“I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. There were so many things I didn’t know, so I had to step back and take one day at a time.
“I was classed as a critical cancer patient and received support from my local NHS hospital in Kent and also from St Mark’s Hospital in London, which has a specialist bowel unit. After talking with both hospitals and speaking with my oncologist, the plan was to shrink the tumour first to make the operation easier.
“Even though the doctors and nurses prepared me really well for the surgery, it was still much tougher than I expected.
“I felt very emotional after the surgery and during my stay in the hospital. Having my mum visit meant a lot — no matter how old you are, a hug from your mum can make everything feel better.
“The hardest part mentally is not knowing what my life will look like in the future. There are so many questions I can’t answer, and that makes me feel like I’m not in control. What will my life be like? Will the chemotherapy work? Will I need a stoma bag for longer? How will this affect me trying to date once I’m better? Will my energy ever be the same? Will I be able to move back to London?
“I have good days and bad days, but I just try to take each day as it comes.”