“I’d drive my daughter 15 minutes to rowing, then have to stop on the way home and nap for 40 minutes,” recalled the physiotherapist. “That wasn’t normal, but I brushed it off, thinking it was menopause.”
During a trip to France, Susan experienced constipation for the first time. “I blamed it on rich food and too much cheese,” she said. But when she returned to Brisbane, the symptoms escalated dramatically.
“I ended up on the bathroom floor in absolute agony — vomiting, diarrhea, unbearable pain for eight hours,” Susan explained. “It was worse than childbirth. I was crawling into the shower, trying to relieve the pain with heat. Nine out of ten on the pain scale.”
The diagnosis hits
At first, doctors dismissed her concerns. Routine blood and stool tests appeared normal. But soon, a colonoscopy revealed the shocking truth: rectal cancer that had metastasized to her uterus, pelvic lymph nodes, and right lung.
“When I woke from the colonoscopy, something felt off. The gastroenterologist confirmed there was a tumor,” Susan said. “Even if your tests are normal, even if they say it’s stress, diet, or hormones, listen to your instincts.”
Turning struggle into advocacy
Since her diagnosis, Susan has launched The Floozie Foundation, dedicated to supporting adult cancer patients and their families across Australia. Despite undergoing rigorous chemotherapy, she continues to fight for her life while raising awareness of bowel cancer’s early warning signs.
Her story is a stark reminder: subtle symptoms matter. Ignoring them can have life-altering consequences. Susan wants everyone to know that speaking up, asking questions, and trusting your body can save lives.
Susan’s message is clear: don’t wait. If something feels wrong, push for answers. Share her story, raise awareness, and help break the taboo around bowel health — it could make all the difference.