When Minor Symptoms Point to Major Trouble: Susan Schmidt’s Wake-Up Call About Bowel Cancer
Could everyday discomforts—like tiredness or an upset stomach—be warning signs of something far more dangerous? For Australian mother and physiotherapist Susan Schmidt, the answer was tragically yes.
What began as occasional fatigue and minor digestive issues turned out to be stage 4 bowel cancer, an incurable diagnosis that has changed her life—and mission—forever.
Her experience is a sobering reminder that subtle health changes shouldn’t be brushed aside. In many cases, they’re the body’s way of sounding the alarm.
A Life-Altering Diagnosis Hidden Behind Everyday Symptoms
In September 2023, 45-year-old Susan received the news no one wants to hear: she had advanced bowel cancer. “It can’t be cured,” she told The Daily Mail. “Now, the focus is on staying well for as long as I can. I’ll probably go back on chemo after my next trip overseas.”
Before the diagnosis, Susan had no obvious reason to suspect anything serious. She was a busy mum of two and a practicing physiotherapist. But little things started to change—like needing to pull over for a nap during a short drive with her daughter. “That level of exhaustion isn’t normal,” she admitted. Still, she shrugged it off at the time.
Later, while in France for a wedding, she experienced constipation for the first time in her life. She assumed it was due to rich foods like cheese and wine—nothing out of the ordinary. But after returning home to Brisbane, her symptoms escalated dramatically.
She endured a terrifying episode: vomiting, diarrhea, and searing abdominal pain that left her on the bathroom floor for hours. “It was worse than labor,” Susan recalled. “I was crawling into the shower, trying to manage the pain with hot water. It was a 9 out of 10 kind of pain.” At first, she suspected food poisoning from her horse—perhaps salmonella.
Hospital visits followed, but early tests failed to show the real problem. Doctors initially sent her home, believing it wasn’t serious. But something didn’t sit right with Susan, and soon after, the devastating truth came out—stage 4 bowel cancer.
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Breaking the Silence Around Bowel Health
Susan now wants others to learn from her experience. “We don’t talk about bowel movements,” she said candidly. “That’s part of the danger with bowel cancer—people delay getting help because it’s embarrassing.”
Her advice? Don’t let discomfort or social taboos keep you from seeking answers. “If something feels off, pursue it. Don’t settle for ‘it’s probably stress’ or ‘your blood work looks fine.’ Trust your body and your instincts.”
Turning Pain Into Purpose
Out of her diagnosis came a powerful new mission. Susan launched The Floozie Foundation, a charitable initiative aimed at supporting cancer patients and their families throughout Australia.
The foundation focuses on strengthening the emotional resilience of adults undergoing cancer treatment—something Susan knows is just as critical as the medical care itself.
Final Takeaway: Trust Yourself, Speak Up, and Don’t Wait
Susan Schmidt’s journey is a stark example of how life-threatening illness can hide behind symptoms we’re often told to ignore—fatigue, bowel changes, pain. Her story is not just one of personal tragedy but of advocacy, strength, and a call to action.
Her message is urgent and clear:
Talk about your symptoms—even the uncomfortable ones
Push for answers if something doesn’t feel right
Don’t let normal test results override your inner alarm
Early detection can mean the difference between life and death. And for Susan, sharing her story means giving others the chance to catch what she didn’t—before it’s too late.