Reyna Nixon's Bowel Cancer Story

In late 2023, then 46-year-old mother of three, Reyna Nixon from Portmarnock, North Dublin began experiencing what she describes as “sporadic bowel movements”. “At the time, I thought I was going through perimenopause, and my body was going through a range of changes. I wasn’t overly worried about the bowel movements changing initially, but when they persisted a bit longer, I went to my GP who checked my bloods and referred me for a colonoscopy. Shortly afterwards I was in for the colonoscopy, a CT and MRI. By early December, I got the news – they told me I had bowel cancer.

“It’s shell-shocking news to get. I think the most difficult thing for me to come to terms with was the fact that I just didn’t feel sick at all. I had been travelling, I was working, I was active playing my tennis. I had just been away to watch Ireland in the Rugby World Cup in France. I had no other symptoms, didn’t feel unwell, apart from bowel changes and yet, I’m told I have bowel cancer.”

From the beginning, Reyna and her husband decided to tell their children about her diagnosis. “They were 13, 11 and 9 at the time and there was no question about telling them. From the outset, my medical team were telling me they had a treatment pathway laid out that would treat and cure my cancer. I took comfort in the fact that my medical team were so assured about that. You can never guarantee things in cancer, but they were confident which put me at ease. I think that was an important tool for assisting with talking to the children about my diagnosis. You’re just setting out the steps we need to take for me to get better.”

For her treatment, first Reyna would undergo surgery. “I was in for surgery on the 21st of December. They had to remove part of my colon and I also needed an ileostomy to attach the stoma bag to my small intestine. I was kept in for a about a week for recovery and I was supported by a stoma nurse. They gave me great care and ensured I was okay with managing to change it before I was discharged. It was really tough being in hospital over the Christmas period but I was keen to get on with surgery and get my treatment started. I’m very fortunate to have been able to manage my stoma well. I joined a stoma support group and I saw some people have a much harder time than me. I think the most important thing to remember is there is support out there and nobody should struggle alone if they are having stoma issues.”

Reyna’s chemotherapy began in March and ran until September 2024. “It got progressively worse as it went on but thankfully it wasn’t too bad. Initially, the nausea was quite difficult, but we managed it. I lost some hair, but it mostly just thinned out. The most difficult part for me was just fatigue and tiredness. I was absolutely wrecked during chemo. I was lucky to have lots of support from family and friends, particularly with all the children’s activities which removed the stress of not being ‘there’ for my children.”

Following further tests, thankfully Reyna was given the all clear post her chemotherapy. “It was a huge relief to come through the chemo and get the results we wanted. The next step was to go for stoma reversal. When we were looking at dates for pencilling that surgery in, I wanted to make sure I avoided being in hospital over Christmas again as I just couldn’t face two Christmases away from family. Thankfully, we got it done late November. I initially thought it would just be about a six-week recovery period, but in reality, I am still living with some of the side effects of my stoma reversal to this day. I get bouts of trapped wind and pain. My toilet habits are changeable and I could need to go multiple times per day. My diet is different. There’s a been a whole adjustment and new normal needed post-my treatment.”

In August 2025, Reyna along with other Portmarnock Tennis Club members affected by cancer organised a fundraiser for the Irish Cancer Society. “The Tennis Club is part of the wider PSLC Portmarnock Sports & Leisure Club and we got great support for the fundraiser. We organised a full day of fun for the whole community, members and non-members. We had tennis tournaments but also a kids camp to let children try out lots of different sports. Something that was really powerful and uplifting about the day was we had people from across the Club share their cancer connection stories. Some, like myself, had been through cancer or were still going through it, while others maybe had a relative or friend go through or they had lost somebody. It was a great way to show that cancer doesn’t discriminate and can affect any family. In total, we raised over €18,000 for the Irish Cancer Society, which was an incredible amount.”

Reyna is sharing her story to ask people to familiarise themselves with the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer. “For me, I was fit and healthy and apart from a bowel habit change, I had no other signs or symptoms. I think because one of my good friends has been affected by bowel cancer, I was more alert to the symptoms. It’s so important for people, especially those younger in their 40s, to know the signs and symptoms and if a change persists, then speak to your doctor and push for a referral. I was going through perimenopause, and I think to myself, had I just had the attitude, ‘ah just get on with it’ and not gone to get myself checked out, maybe my cancer would have been detected much later or not at all. Early detection is key. I also think we need to get more comfortable talking about cancer and that doesn’t mean we lecture other people, but people shouldn’t fear opening up about their cancer experiences. I hope me sharing helps even just one person to act on symptoms they may have. It will probably turn out to be nothing, but you’re better off knowing for peace of mind.”