Diana, Romania

My dad had constipation, but he was first suspecting food poisoning from a gas station meal. A week later he ended up in the emergency room and had emergency surgery, with his colon being blocked and with possibility of rupture and sepsis. There is when we found out about the colon cancer with liver metastases.

The biggest challenge was not knowing what is next. Not knowing if it will get better or worse. Feeling like it is not fair for him to go through this. As a researcher, I felt like I have to search all the possible solutions to this massive challenge. It felt like the 'cure' would be just around the corner if only I search a bit more.

Mainly all of our family holding onto each other is what helped all of us I think. Friends sometimes too, but basically communicating with each other was the thing that helped us the most.

Yes, I felt heard and respected, but also felt like some information was missing and we could have done something earlier e.g. a blood biopsy and taking probiotics when starting chemotherapy because the flora gets destroyed.

To someone supporting a loved one facing cancer - reach out for help, ask in communities if people went through this experience and have specific advice for specific problems. While each experience is technically different, at the core they are very similar.
To the healthcare system - a holistic approach that takes care of the mental health of the patient would be appreciated - without making it sound like another thing to do. We did not have this experience but it might happen in other places. And more support groups.