Michael Sollis
Just over 12 months ago Michael was diagnosed with advanced bowel cancer.
Michael didn’t have any of the usual symptoms of bowel cancer but had noticed that he was getting short of breath when on a run. Wondering if it was just his fitness reducing, he went to the doctor who changed his asthma medication to no avail. It wasn’t until he noticed stomach pains that the doctor did a full sweep of blood tests that revealed Michael was anaemic. This then started a whole train of events.
Concerned about the blood results, the GP sent Michael to emergency at the hospital and after some back and forth finally was sent for a colonoscopy and CT scans that revealed a large tumour in Michael’s cecum, a pouch that forms part of the large intestine. The specialists thought that it could be removed but further exploration found that it had already spread to Michael’s peritoneum (tissue that lines your abdomen) and his lungs.
“This is definitely something that I didn’t expect,” says Michael. “The thing is I don’t have any side effects from the cancer itself, it has all been from the treatment.”
Michael underwent major surgery to remove the tumour from his bowel, and also to remove his whole peritoneum. He then started chemotherapy when they found the tumour in his lungs.
“The thing with cancer is that its really a guessing game. You learn quickly that no one really knows what exactly is needed.”
“I didn’t know much about cancer at all when I was diagnosed.”
“I had a great medical team here in Canberra and in Sydney that really looked after me.”
This was a bittersweet time Michael, as the day after he started the chemo treatment, his second son was born.
A year later and Michael, with his wife and two young sons, are looking at celebrating the first birthday of their second born. And whilst his treatment has kept his cancer from progressing, he points out that it is still there in his lungs and has a high likelihood of returning to his peritoneum.
“At a certain point it just becomes a normal part of your life. You just have to keep going really.”
Michael has shared his journey with his father-in-law, who is also living with an advanced bowel cancer diagnosis. And Michael is quick to point out that he is hearing of more and more young people like himself that are being diagnosed with bowel cancer and catching it at a later stage.
“My cancer likely started 10 years ago. If I’d tested when I was 30 it’s likely that it wouldn’t have spread.” Michael states matter-of-factly
“If I’d been screened even just 6 years earlier my life outcomes would be better,” He goes on to say, “but there were no symptoms that would have prompted me to do that of my own accord.”
When asked about cancer research Michael was quick to state that any deeper understandings and any screening advancements are beneficial.
“It was research developments that allowed me to have a more targeted treatment,” He says. “If it will prolong someone’s life it is a good thing.”