Susan Schmidt, a 47-year-old mother of two from Australia, is sharing her heartbreaking story after being diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer in 2023. Before learning she had cancer, Susan experienced several subtle symptoms that she initially ignored because they seemed harmless. She suffered from extreme fatigue, constipation, and severe stomach pain, but she never noticed blood in her stool, which is often considered a major warning sign. Susan believed her exhaustion was connected to early menopause and blamed her digestive problems on rich food during a trip to France. However, after returning home, she experienced unbearable pain, vomiting, and diarrhea so intense that she described it as worse than childbirth. Despite these alarming episodes, early blood and stool tests showed nothing unusual, and doctors initially reassured her that she was fine.

Everything changed after a colonoscopy revealed a tumor, and further scans confirmed that the bowel cancer had already spread to her uterus, pelvic lymph nodes, and right lung. Although the diagnosis is incurable, Susan continues to fight bravely while undergoing chemotherapy treatments. She now hopes her experience will encourage others to pay attention to even mild or unusual symptoms and to push for further testing if something feels wrong. Susan believes bowel health remains a taboo subject, preventing many people from seeking help early enough. To support others facing similar battles, she founded The Floozie Foundation, which helps cancer patients and families in adult cancer wards across Australia. Through her story, Susan is raising awareness about the importance of listening to your body, speaking openly about health concerns, and never ignoring persistent symptoms that could signal something far more serious.