Susan Schmidt, a 47-year-old mother of two from Australia, received devastating news in 2023 when she was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer. What makes her story especially powerful is that the symptoms leading up to her diagnosis seemed mild and easy to dismiss. Susan now hopes that by sharing her experience, others will recognize the warning signs earlier and seek medical advice before it is too late. Although her cancer is incurable, she remains determined to raise awareness and help others.

Several months before her diagnosis, Susan began experiencing extreme fatigue. She often needed to stop and rest after simple daily activities, but assumed the exhaustion was related to early menopause. During a trip to France, she also developed constipation for the first time in her life. Believing it was caused by rich food and changes in routine, she paid little attention to it and continued with her normal activities.

After returning home, her condition worsened dramatically. Susan suffered severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea that left her unable to function. Despite seeking medical attention, initial blood and stool tests showed no obvious signs of cancer. It was only after a colonoscopy that doctors discovered a tumor. Further scans revealed that the cancer had spread to her uterus, pelvic lymph nodes, and right lung.

Today, Susan continues undergoing chemotherapy while encouraging others to trust their instincts when something feels wrong. She has also founded The Floozie Foundation to support cancer patients and their families across Australia. Her message is simple but important: never ignore persistent symptoms, even when initial tests appear normal.