Take a fresh look at your lifestyle.

Susan received soul-fushing news after ignoring the few well-known warning signals from a devastating disease is what she wants everyone to know before it is too late

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Susan Schmidt was only 45 when her life changed forever.

Fit, active and a physiotherapy company running while raising two children, the mother of Brisbane never expected the ruthless fatigue she felt could be a little more than early menopause.

Now 47, Susan lives with an incurable phase four intestine cancer – And sharing her story in the hope that others could ask others to take action before it’s too late.

“I just thought I was exhausted because of life,” Brisbane’s mother told Femail as she shares her story for the consciousness of Barmel Cancer Australia in collaboration with Kleenex.

But the fatigue was different from everything she had ever known.

‘In May 2023 I had to pull the car to sleep. I would drive 15 minutes to drop my daughter at Rowing and then stop halfway at home to nap 40 minutes, “she said.

“That’s not normal. That was a warning sign. But I wiped it off. ‘

In June 2023, Susan and her family left for France for a friend’s wedding.

It was a dream holiday filled with catch -up, wine and cheese – but for Susan Alco came with sudden digestive problems.

Susan Schmidt (photo) was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer at the age of 45 in 2023 after a colonoscopy that

Susan Schmidt (photo) was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer at the age of 45 in 2023 after a colonoscopy that

“I had never had constipation in my life,” she remembered.

“But I just didn’t go well in France. I thought it was the rich French food, too much cheese. I didn’t think about it anymore. ‘

The symptoms deteriorated after she returned to Brisbane, and things took a terrifying turn one evening when her beloved horse fell ill with Salmonella.

‘That night I ended up in the bathroom floor in absolute pain. Vomiting, diarrhea, unbearable pain. It took eight hours. I really thought I had captured Salmonella from the horse, “she said.

The pain was like nothing she had ever experienced.

“It was worse than the birth. I crawl into the shower and tried to relieve the pain with heat. It was nine out of ten on the pain scale, “she said.

Yet the first tests showed nothing.

‘Blood tests, relief samples – all normal. No blood in my stool. Perfect Bloods, my doctor said. But they were not looking for cancer. ‘

Even as a health star, she was overwhelmed.

Even as a health star, she was overwhelmed. “I had health skills. I was a physiotherapist. But it never happened to me to consider colon cancer. I had no blood in my stool, no dramatic symptoms – only fatigue, constipation and two extreme episodes of pain, “she said

Four days later it happened again. Another episode of debilitating pain.

This time Susan returned to her doctor.

“After the second attack, he referred me for a colonoscopy. I came on the cancellation list and luckily got an appointment within three weeks – it can usually take months, “she said.

That colonoscopy, in September 2023, changed everything.

“I woke up and they wouldn’t give me food. They said, “Maybe you should go into emergency operations.” I knew that wasn’t good, “she said.

Doctors could not complete the procedure – a tumor in the rectum of Susan was so large, they could not get the camera past.

Further scans revealed a devastating diagnosis: stage four colon cancer that had already spread through the rectal wall to her womb, pelvic lymph nodes and to her lungs.

Susan started with intense chemotherapy: 12 treatment rounds for six months.

Susan suffered extreme fatigue, constipation before he had a colostomy

Susan suffered extreme fatigue, constipation before he had a colostomy

The symptoms deteriorated after she returned to Brisbane after a trip abroad, and things took a frightening turn one evening when her beloved horse fell ill with Salmonella

The symptoms deteriorated after she returned to Brisbane after a trip abroad, and things took a frightening turn one evening when her beloved horse fell ill with Salmonella

“It was brutal, but I made it,” she admitted.

In March 2024 she underwent an operation and doctors could remove all visible tumors with clear margins – which she described as ‘exciting’ news.

The plan was then to tackle the lung tumors with targeted stereotactic radiation – but the celebration was short -lived.

“When they started preparing for the radiation, they found many small tumors in my lungs,” she said.

“Radiation was no longer possible.”

A second chemotherapy medication followed and when that does not shrink the cancer, her team tried immunotherapy.

“But I developed car -immune hepatitis. My liver couldn’t handle it. I had to stop all treatment for four months, “Susan said.

During that break, the cancer spread again – this time to a lymph node behind her heart.

In March 2024 she underwent surgery and doctors could remove all visible tumors with clear margins. But the celebration was short -lived because doctors found many small tumors in my lungs

In March 2024 she underwent surgery and doctors could remove all visible tumors with clear margins. But the celebration was short -lived because doctors found many small tumors in my lungs

‘I started Chemo again in November last year. Fortunately, the new tumor was gone after five doses and the others had remained the same. ‘

She has just completed that round of treatment, but her journey is not nearly over yet.

“The diagnosis is incurable,” she said.

‘The plan is to stay good for as long as possible. I will probably go back on chemo after my next trip abroad. ‘

The story of Susan is unfortunately not unique. Early starting of colon cancer – diagnosed in people younger than 50 – is increasing In Australia.

But the stigma and the silence around intestinal symptoms mean that many people do not speak until it is too late.

“I didn’t talk about my intestinal habits. Who does it? “She said.

“That is the problem with colon cancer – people don’t increase the alarm.”

She still had a round chemo, but her liver

She still had a round chemo, but her liver “couldn’t handle it,” so she stopped treatment for four months. During that time the cancer spread to its lymph nodes

Even as a health star, she was overwhelmed.

“I had health skills. I was a physiotherapist. But it never happened to me to consider colon cancer. I had no blood in my stool, no dramatic symptoms – only fatigue, constipation and two extreme episodes of pain. ‘

That lack of clear early warning signals is exactly why Susan now shares her story.

“I want people to know the signs. I want them to push to answers if something feels off, “she said.

“Even if your blood tests are normal, even if you are told that it is stress or diet or menopause – follow your instincts.”

Susan and her husband broke the news to their two children, then 13 and 11, shortly after her diagnosis.

“I decided to be honest,” she said.

“They were remarkably resilient. They know the life expectancy and they use it beautifully. I am so proud of them. ‘

She is planning a bucket list trip to Italy in three weeks - and dreams of seeing the Northern Lights in Finland

She is planning a bucket list trip to Italy in three weeks – and dreams of seeing the Northern Lights in Finland

Her parents and wider family were also destroyed, but quickly came around her.

“I’m really lucky. I have an incredible support network. My friends even formed a group called ‘Sooz’s Floozies’ during Chemo. They would dance on the street, block traffic, encourage me, “she said.

On the day of her last Chemo round, friends were on every street corner on her ride to the hospital, waving with balloons and plates.

“It also helped them. Support from me helped them to deal with it. That is why community matters, “she said.

But the treatment has taken a toll.

Peripheral neuropathy has made it difficult for Susan to work as a physio. Her memory is blurry, her energy unpredictable – but her prospects have shifted.

“I don’t hurry anymore. I try to stay present. I say ‘I love you’ to my children every time they leave. I make sure that every moment counts, “she said.

She is planning a bucket list trip to Italy in two weeks – and dreams of seeing the Northern Lights in Finland.

The story of Susan is unfortunately not unique. Early starting of colon cancer - diagnosed in people younger than 50 - is increasing in Australia

The story of Susan is unfortunately not unique. Early starting of colon cancer – diagnosed in people younger than 50 – is increasing in Australia

Susan's message is clear: know the symptoms. Speak. Push on answers. 'Colon cancer is not just for the elderly. Early starting of colon cancer is increasing at a frightening pace,

Susan’s message is clear: know the symptoms. Speak. Push on answers. ‘Colon cancer is not just for the elderly. Early starting of colon cancer is increasing at a frightening pace, “she warned. She wants women – and especially younger women – to listen to their bodies and trust if something feels there

‘Most of my goals are travel -related. Just be with friends and family. That’s what it’s all about, “Susan said.

There is also a quieter sorrow.

“It is a grief for life that might have been. Not what was, but what could be. Especially for my children. If they lose their mother, how will it shape their lives? That is the sadness I wear, “she explained.

Yet Susan refuses to lose the hope.

“I feel good. I feel healthy when I’m not on chemo. That gives me hope, “she said.

“I believe that the answer to cancer is there. I just have to stay good long enough to get there. ‘

Susan’s message is clear: know the symptoms. Speak. Push on answers.

‘Colon cancer is not just for the elderly. Early starting of colon cancer is increasing at a frightening pace, “she warned.

She wants women – and especially younger women – to listen and trust their bodies if something feels.

“I have ignored the warning signals for months. It never happened to me that it could be cancer. Now I live with phase four, “Susan said.

June is the Barmel Cancer Awareness Month. Launched in collaboration with Barmel Cancer AustraliaKleenex rolls out the aforementioned ‘Life-Saving Loo Roll’ to encourage millions of Aussie toilet visitors to break the taboo and to control their poop for common colon cancer symptoms. Visit poocheck.com.au for more information about the campaign.

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