A mother-of-two from Co Derry has spoken of her shock at her bowel cancer diagnosis after mistakenly putting persistent stomach pains down to exercise and a change in diet.
Tilly Walsh, from Limavady, has since been given the all clear and is now set to take on the Foyle Hospice female walk/run next month.
Speaking to Belfast Live, she encouraged other people to go and get checked out because "it's important to catch it early if you can".
Tilly, a fit-and-healthy 43-year-old and a keen member of the CrossFit gym in Limavady run by her husband Michael, was given the bowel cancer diagnosis in July last year.
After various medical procedures and five rounds of chemotherapy, she has now been given the all clear and is looking forward to taking on the charity walk for Foyle Hospice on June 11 in Derry.
She told Belfast Live: "I found out I had cancer in July. I had a sore stomach, and I'd had a sore stomach for anout a week before that. I had started the gym and I was training so I just put it down to the different food I was eating and the training, but the pain started to get worse and worse over the course of a week.
"It was actually the day of my wee girl's communion that I rang the GP. He sent me over to Altnagelvin because he thought it might be the appendix, and they then sent me for an ultrasound, but it showed that my appendix was fine."
She continued: "My bloods and everything weren't right so I was sent on for a CT scan. The CT scan showed up diverticulitis. One of the sacs had perforated and caused an abcess in my bowel, and that was what was causing the pain. It was decided I would have to get a colonoscopy but it would take six weeks because of the pain, they had to make sure the perforation had healed, they gave me antibiotics and everything.
"They found a 3cm tumour. They still had to do a biopsy and everything but the consultant kind of knew there and then from experience. Everything went sort of mad after that.
"I had colorectal surgery. The tumour was removed. They put on a temporary stoma. I found out after two weeks that the operation was a success. They were hopeful that the cancer hadn't spread to my liver or anything like that. I started chemo then around the 13th of October. They recommended four rounds of chemo to give me the best chance. I was petrified to be honest when I was going for the chemo because you hear so many stories. They bring you in to give you an education on it, and I was sitting listening to the side effects - because they have to give you the worst-case scenario. I was thinking 'this is absolutely awful'."
She praised the staff at the North West Cancer Centre at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry for helping her through the anxiety.
"The nurses up in the cancer centre in Derry were so nice, they are so caring, and they just make you feel so at ease," she said.
"I actually got on grand with the chemo. Luckily I was only really tired. I didn't really have any other symptoms, just the tiredness.
"In the end up I had to get five rounds of chemo. I do think training helped me, and being around people in the gym [run by husband and former Limavady United footballer Michael Walsh at CrossFit Limavady].
"We are lucky that we have a big support network around the gym. I do think training definitely, both emotionally and mentally, helped me through the whole journey, to be honest."
Looking ahead to next month's charity event, she said: "I am really looking forward to taking part in the Foyle Hospice Female Walk/Run with my friends and a few Crossfit members who have signed up with me.
“The goal is to reach the finish line and spread awareness of such a great cause.
“You never know when you may need to avail of their services.”
She added: “I am just so grateful I was given another chance to fight back.”
The mother-of-two, urging others to come forward, said: "All my scans have come clear. They're keeping an eye on me for the next five years I think. It shows you how important it is to go to the doctor if you're worried. It's important to catch it early if you can."
READ NEXT:
- Derry Girls stars praise 'unbreakable spirit' of Derry in Bafta TV awards acceptance speeches
- Foyle Arena and part of St Columb's Park to close for four days
- Nicola Gallagher alleges GAA knew about Rory Gallagher abuse claims but did nothing
- Hundreds attend rally to oppose maternity closure at Co Derry hospital
To get the latest breaking news from Co Derry straight to your inbox, sign up to our free newsletter.
