A dad said he knew something wasn't right when his horrendous pain got "out of control".
Sean Jones, 36, who has two young children with his wife, Emma, first started feeling unwell in June 2022 when he was 35. His toilet habits changed "considerably and rapidly" over two weeks and he described how he was losing a lot of blood between 20 to 30 times a day.
He then ended up in A&E after his symptoms of pain and blood loss got "out of control".
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He said: "I was admitted as an emergency patient and had an endoscopy. The doctors expected to see signs of Crohn’s disease or Colitis, but the tumour was sadly located during this endoscopy.
"I then had a CT scan and MRI to provide clearer pictures of the issue. A colonoscopy followed to check there were no further issues along the bowel."
One month later Sean had surgery to remove the tumour and a section of his bowel to be analysed. The analysis showed that he had stage two bowel cancer and the tumour had started to penetrate the bowel wall.
His doctors told him he needed to be in the best possible condition when he was operated on to give him the best chance of a successful surgery and recovery.
Sean said: "I immediately ditched the booze, fast food and fizzy drinks. I started serious running, hiking, golf, badminton, tennis and ate a strict healthy diet too.
"At the time of diagnosis, my world totally collapsed, and I naturally feared the worst. I was worried I wouldn't make it to Christmas and was terrified about what this meant for Emma, Harry and Sophia at home.
"I had to force myself to not allow the emotion of the diagnosis to consume me. I quickly went into 'battle-mode' rather than feeling sorry for myself and wondering 'why me'.
"Following the diagnosis, my wife Emma joined me in battle-mode and was the 24/7 emotional support I desperately needed. We stayed positive throughout.
"We faced into each step of the process together as a team and I felt protected and stronger as a result. My family and close friends were out of this world and made me feel ready for the fight and importantly that I was capable of winning.
"My employer, Simpson Millar, has been outstanding with their support and well-wishes too."
After Sean was diagnosed with cancer he asked for help from Maggies, a charity providing free cancer support and information to people affected by cancer. The team were there to help give him advice ahead of his surgery and support him afterwards with monthly Bowel Cancer Support Group sessions.
He said: "I was scared about what I should or shouldn't say to my children. What do they need to know?
"They were 6 and 3 at the time so I took advice from Kathy, a Bowel Cancer Specialist and Centre Head at Maggie's, and we decided to keep it very simple and just say I had a poorly tummy. This has worked well over the past 12 months, and they have been incredibly loving and caring during my recovery.
"Maybe there is one day in the future when I might share more details with them I'm glad I don't have to worry about that right now."
Sean is now raising funds for Maggie’s Cancer Charity at Clatterbridge Wirral, by completing his own spring Triathalon which consists of the Liverpool Half Marathon, a hike up Snowdon and a 29 mile walk.
Kathy Wright, Centre Head at Maggie’s said: “We are extremely thankful to Sean for his fundraising achievements, he has raised almost £3000, which will make a huge difference to our centre visitors. We cannot thank him enough, for taking on such a tough physical challenge during difficult times for him and his family.
"We are pleased to hear that Sean and his family have found comfort at Maggie’s. If you or anyone you know is struggling with the impact of cancer, please do just drop in.
"We’re here to support anyone affected by cancer, along with friends and family. We provide free practical, emotional and psychological support through an evidence-based programme of support.”
To donate to Sean's JustGiving page click here.
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