In the aftermath of surgery to remove a tumour “like a big wedge of pizza”, Jo was faced with difficult conversations: what to tell her kids and the choice between public and private healthcare. She also discovered the power of hope and humour. She laughs with Colleen about her first post-op fart - and the extremely intimate story she told medical students in hospital.

A range of organisations, including the Cancer Society and Bowel Cancer NZ, offer support services and information to cancer patients and their whanau. For a longer list, visit Health Navigator.