MONTHS after marrying her childhood sweetheart Simon Bain, whom she met when they were both students at Murwillumbah High School, Kingscliff resident Katie Bain (nee Lowe) was thrust into the fight of her life.

She was diagnosed with an advanced form of cancer normally only suffered by older people and given a poor prognosis.

The protocol outlined by her doctor was to prolong her life not save it.

But Katie's treatment has taken a surprising turn.

She shares her story with us here:

SIX months ago this week I was diagnosed with stage-four bowel cancer.

I was working away in Sydney when I was admitted to hospital suspecting I had a stomach ulcer.

I had pain in my abdomen, had dropped about 5kg in weight, had no appetite and had passed bright red blood.

After several procedures, the bowel cancer was confirmed and it was discovered that it had spread to my liver.

My first reaction was shock, confusion and anger. As a seemingly fit and healthy 26-year-old, how could I be so ill and not know it?

A lot of nurses I have come into contact with have been shocked at how young I am to get bowel cancer which normally strikes older people.

When I asked what my prognosis was, my doctor stumbled in his answer. I realised then he was not going to tell me good news.

It was at that moment I decided I did not want to know. I just wanted to find out what my treatment options were and when I could start.

Simon, who had flown in to be by my side, returned home with me and I started working on getting well.

I began chemotherapy - my only traditional treatment option.

I also adopted a holistic lifestyle change involving good nutrition and relieving stress.

I have been guided in this by the amazing Petra Christian from Love Your Soul. The support her protocol has provided is immeasurable.

My treatment is going well. I consider myself very lucky as my chemotherapy side-effects are minimal and I know it's because of this external support.

Everything in our lives is about fighting the disease and not feeding it.

There is always up-and-down days, but the good definitely outweighs the bad.

After round six of chemotherapy I had a scan. Amazingly it showed that all of my tumours had shrunk by half.

I have since had five more rounds (11 in total) and have one more to go before another scan, due before Christmas, to reveal my progress.

My original diagnosis was not positive. I was told I have incurable cancer, but my recent results were called remarkable.

I am positive that my next results will also fall into the remarkable category.

The support we have had since my diagnosis is amazing. We are so blessed to be a part of such a wonderful community and have such amazing friends and family.

We have had so many wonderful people organise fundraisers for us.

I don't think I could name everyone and thank you just doesn't seem enough.

But I would like to make special mention of a few people and events: The Murwillumbah Mustangs Charity Shield Cup (special thanks to all The Murwillumbah Mustangs and Nico Neidhart); the Moranbah Crew (special thanks to Shahna and Toby Frost); triva night (special thanks to Melissa McMahon and Sandra Guthrie); Let's get Katie a ThermoMix (special thanks to Leia Dillon); Kingy Girls, and everyone who donated at www.mycause.com.au/ page/107247/katiebainthe girlwholived.

It is this support that has allowed me to focus on my health and work only part time.

JH Williams in Murwillumbah kindly offered me work once I was strong enough.

This has helped me get out of the house and generate some cash-flow again.

I had to give up my original full-time job in events management after I got sick.

In my life I have always been someone who has gone after what they wanted and made the most of any situation.

My illness has reminded me to take time for myself and make my health a priority.

I hope my situation brings to light the fact that bowel cancer can affect anyone, no matter their age and that you need to take care of your health and not take it for granted.

Life is a crazy rollercoaster. You can either be scared of the ride or you can embrace it and scream, cry, yell and laugh through all the ups, downs and loops..

Fundraiser

A fundraiser for Camp Quality will be staged on Sunday, December 13 at the Murwillumbah Golf Club. Registration is at 11am with a 1pm shotgun start. The cost is $100 for a team of four. There will be raffles and a lunch.