A Blaenau Gwent resident who worried she would not survive to watch her children mature is now encouraging people to pay attention to warning signs of illness.

The woman from Ebbw Vale, identified as Chloe Price, experienced a sudden onset of serious illness in August 2024 after developing intense, sharp pain in her side that rendered her immobile.

She became confined to her bed and lost her appetite.

The 30-year-old parent of two initially attributed her condition to stress, but her health rapidly declined.

According to her, she believed she was dying. She felt there was no possible treatment.

She feared abandoning her children and recently married spouse.

She was concerned her children would not remember her.

Her spouse convinced her to obtain medical care, and a CT scan detected a significant growth on her intestine.

The growth had burst, resulting in severe internal harm.

She received surgical treatment and is currently recuperating and adapting to life with a stoma.

She mentioned that although the stoma transformed her existence, it also preserved it.

She stated it should not be a source of embarrassment.

It represents an alternative lifestyle, but she is alive, which matters most.

She is telling her narrative to promote understanding of bowel cancer throughout Bowel Cancer Awareness Month and to motivate others not to disregard health changes.

Even though relatives had experienced bowel cancer, she had not associated her indicators with the illness.

Detecting bowel cancer early can preserve lives.

Individuals with persistent or abnormal symptoms should consult their doctor.

Her complete account can be found on the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board’s website.