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Meet Susan Schmidt, a 45-year-old mom of two from Australia, whose life was turned upside down when she was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer. She now wishes she’d acted sooner — because the early warning signs were there, but she and her doctors dismissed them.
🩺 What Happened
Susan first noticed something was off about four months before her diagnosis in September 2023. She felt constantly exhausted. Driving her daughter to rowing practice should have been simple, but she found herself needing a 40-minute nap afterward. She brushed it off as just being tired.
A trip to France triggered more serious symptoms: severe constipation and the kind of stomach pain that felt like nothing she’d ever experienced. She thought rich food and travel were to blame. Then came the big one — a night of agony with vomiting, diarrhea, and excruciating pain. Even then, when she went to the hospital, she was told nothing serious was wrong.
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⚠️ Key Signs She Ignored
Extreme fatigue
Constipation
Sudden, intense abdominal pain
Episodes of vomiting and diarrhea
Longer-than-normal recovery after simple tasks
Susan never saw blood in her stool, which is what many people expect for bowel cancer — but she learned the absence of one symptom doesn’t guarantee safety.
💬 The Message She Wants to Share
Susan says bowel habits are still taboo in many places, which prevents people from speaking up. She urges others: if something feels off, insist on answers. Even if initial tests come back clear, listen to your body.
She founded The Floozie Foundation to help build awareness about cancer signs and support patients navigating the medical system. Susan’s journey is heartbreaking — but also hopeful. It reminds all of us that early detection can make a huge difference, and speaking up — no matter how minor a symptom — can save lives.
