Stage 4 Cancer Patient Urges Others Not to Ignore These Subtle Warning Signs

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00:00Stage 4, cancer patient urges others not to ignore these subtle warning signs.

00:05Susan Schmidt, a mother of two and physiotherapist, learned she had stage 4 bowel cancer at 45

00:11after a September 2023 diagnosis, four months after small symptoms.

00:16I didn't talk about my bowel habits. Who does?

00:22Four months before diagnosis, she had severe fatigue, two intense vomiting episodes,

00:28diarrhea, and constipation without visible blood, and doctors did not test for cancer.

00:36I'd drive my daughter 15 minutes to Rowe, then have to stop on the way home and nap for 40 minutes.

00:42She said of the overwhelming fatigue she first noticed four months earlier.

00:48At a friend's wedding in France, she developed constipation.

00:52I figured it was the rich French food, too much cheese, I didn't think more of it.

00:56Back in Brisbane, her condition worsened.

01:04Eight hours of agony, vomiting, and severe abdominal pain.

01:08Doctors suspected salmonella from an infected horse.

01:11It was worse than childbirth, she said.

01:13Dame Deborah James, known as Bowel Babe, campaigned while living with stage 4 bowel cancer and died in 2022 at 40,

01:24emphasizing checking for blood and stool and persistent changes.

01:30See a doctor for lasting fatigue or new digestive changes like constipation, diarrhea, pain, weight loss, or rectal bleeding.

01:37Early checks can prevent serious issues.

01:43Despite an incurable diagnosis,

01:45Susan launched the Floozy Foundation to strengthen patients and support networks with resources and resilience building.

01:54Small changes matter when they are continuous, escalate, or feel unusual.

01:58Track symptoms, press for answers, trust your instincts, and seek medical help without delay.