Steph Do Carmo

Cancerversary

My Story

In February 2022, at 31 years old, I was diagnosed with advanced bowel cancer via emergency major surgery to remove a large tumour that had completely blocked my bowel. What followed was 12 rounds of intensive chemotherapy and some of the hardest moments of my life but I’m still here because of that surgery, the care I received at the Northwest Regional Hospital Burnie and the support of the Cancer Council.  

Days after being discharged from hospital and still recovering from major surgery, I saw my oncologist for the first time. I was given two treatment plans, and 24 hours to decide. 

Completely overwhelmed on what to do next, I called the Cancer Council. That call lead to the support and advice that helped me choose my treatment plan. From there, I was connected to a young bowel cancer survivor as part of the buddy program. An oncology massage was organised for me and a supportive care program was offered. I participated in mindfulness, tai chi and yoga. I entered into a community that understood what I was going through and I was given so many tools to help me manage through treatment and beyond. All free of charge. 

I want a cancer free future and I want to give back to the organisation who supported me so much. 

I can't tell my story without Katie. Only eight weeks after my diagnosis, I got the horrible message that one of my close friends, Katie, had also been diagnosed with bowel cancer, three weeks after giving birth to her first child, Magnus.

Katie and I endured our treatment journeys together over the following six months. We laughed at our new love for hospital Cornflakes, lifted each other up when we weren’t well enough for treatment and shared things that only people going through it could really understand.

At 33 years old, despite the amazing care she received at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne and her strength during treatment, Katie sadly passed away in October 2022.

This is why I Relay.