Susan Schmidt’s life changed irrevocably in September 2023 when she was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer at age 45. Until then, she had lived a high-energy life in Brisbane, balancing a career, home, and raising two daughters. Friends described her as “always on the go,” but months of persistent exhaustion, which she initially dismissed as stress or aging, marked the first warning signs of a serious health issue.
Early symptoms were subtle but alarming. Susan recounted struggling to drive home from her daughter’s rowing practice without needing to pull over for a nap, a sign she brushed aside as ordinary fatigue. A subsequent trip to France brought persistent constipation, which she attributed to rich food, wine, and travel routines. Yet upon returning home, her symptoms escalated. One night, she endured severe abdominal pain, accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea that lasted for hours—pain she described as worse than childbirth. Even after hospital visits, tests returned inconclusive, and she was sent home reassured, despite her instincts telling her something was gravely wrong.
After further tests and specialist referrals, Susan received the devastating diagnosis: stage 4 bowel cancer, already spread and deemed incurable. The words “hit me like a freight train,” she said, as she thought of her daughters and the moments she feared she would miss. With a terminal prognosis, her focus shifted from cure to awareness, advocacy, and making the most of the time she had left.
Determined to prevent others from experiencing the same delay in diagnosis, Susan founded The Floozie Foundation, a nonprofit offering emotional support, resources for treatment, and a community for patients and families confronting cancer. She emphasizes the importance of paying attention to seemingly minor bodily changes, pushing for answers even when initial medical tests appear normal. Her candid approach—discussing topics many avoid, like bowel habits—aims to save lives through early detection.
Despite her condition, Susan continues to live actively, planning trips with her daughters, cherishing daily moments, and prioritizing joy and adventure. “I don’t want my girls to only remember me as sick,” she said. Her journey is a testament to resilience, courage, and purpose, turning personal tragedy into a platform for education and hope. “Stage 4 cancer may take my life,” she reflects, “but it won’t take my voice. If sharing my story helps even one person catch their cancer early, then I’ve done something worthwhile.”
Susan Schmidt’s story serves as both a warning and an inspiration: the body’s subtle signals should never be ignored, and even in the face of terminal illness, one can transform pain into purpose, awareness, and advocacy for others.
