Diagnosed with COLON CANCER at 29. This is my story.

Episode 9

Here it is: the big cancer podcast episode.

In October 2022, we entered the toughest and most emotionally draining period of our lives. Malin, at just 29 years old, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of colon cancer. After months of dismissals and being pushed aside by healthcare professionals, we finally received the news that would change our lives forever. Adding to the complexity was the fact that we had two small children whose world would be deeply affected by this journey. Receiving a cancer diagnosis is never easy, but doing so as a young person with cancer and having to juggle treatment and parenthood brings an entirely new level of difficulty.

The Long Road to Diagnosis

The journey started with intermittent yet unexplained health issues. Each visit to the hospital or the doctors was met with casual dismissals. We heard everything from “It’s just hemorrhoids” to “Drink more water.” Despite Malin's persistent symptoms, six months passed before doctors took her seriously. By then, the aggressive nature of her colon cancer meant it had developed into stage 3C.

We’re sharing this not for sympathy but to highlight a severe issue within the healthcare system. Too often, young women with severe symptoms are not believed. We hope our story can serve as a reminder that a young person with cancer is not an anomaly.

Talking about Cancer with Kids

One of the most gruelling aspects of our journey was explaining the situation to our children. How do you tell young kids that Mamma is seriously ill? The stress of treatment, surgeries, and the general unsettling atmosphere at home weighed heavily on them. We tried our best to maintain a sense of normalcy, but there were days when normal just wasn’t possible.

Each stage—from diagnosis to surgery, to chemotherapy—placed unique strains on our family life. Our son, Charlie, had a particularly hard time processing the changes. The emotional strain was almost as powerful as the physical toll cancer took on Malin.

Treatment and Recovery

From radiation therapy to chemotherapy, the treatment plan was tough. Malin underwent a unique treatment protocol that involved radiation to shrink the tumour before chemotherapy, and finally surgery to remove what was left. This reversed order was an innovation designed to be less destructive yet equally effective.

The chemotherapy sessions were a different kind of beast. Each cycle was a journey through exhaustion, sickness, and fear. The side effects meant that Malin struggled, both physically and emotionally, to maintain her sense of self. It was heartbreaking to witness but necessary for her survival.

Surgeries and Further Complications

If the treatment wasn’t enough, life threw in additional curveballs. A sudden bout of severe stomach pain led to an emergency surgery resulting in a stoma—a lifesaving yet unplanned intervention. While this was daunting at first, it eventually helped us make more informed decisions about Malin’s future treatments.

But the nightmare didn't end there. Just days after this surgery, we were hit with a stomach bug that further complicated Malin's recovery. Imagine dealing with a stomach bug when you’ve just had abdominal surgery. It was a new level of challenge that tested our resilience to the core.

Reflections and Moving Forward

It's been a year since Malin's major surgery, and every day is a testament to her strength and our collective resilience. The road to recovery has been long and full of ups and downs, moments of despair tempered with glimpses of hope. We chronicled much of this journey in our video podcast, Life on a Stick, offering a look into our lives as we navigated this storm.

Every single day, we are reminded of what we've been through. While the physical scars are healing, the emotional ones will take much longer. Our children remain our anchor, keeping us grounded through every setback and every small victory.

We believe it’s essential to share our story—not just to document this painful chapter but to lend our voice to the many young people with cancer who, like us, may find themselves fighting to be heard and taken seriously. The healthcare system needs to wake up. Young women, too, can be diagnosed with colon cancer, and their symptoms deserve immediate attention.

If nothing else, let our story remind you to be vigilant about your health and never let someone dismiss your concerns. Advocate for yourself and your loved ones. And remember, you're not alone in this journey.

Thank you for joining us on this very personal episode of our podcast, Life on a Stick. Whether you've watched us on video or listened in, your support means the world to us. Stay tuned for more, and let's continue this conversation—because it's more important now than ever.

Love and hugs,

Malin & Tom