I was Diagnosed with breast cancer grade 3 in 2002, i had surgery, chemo and radiotherapy, i had to take a year out from work,(im a nurse in our hospital).
I' am Married with 2 children, a boy aged 15 then and a girl 17 then, I think it was hard for my family to understand what was happening,they tryed their best.
I was in and out of hospital due to treatment but i did'nt let it stop me from organising my daughter's 18th birthday party,i wanted things to go on as normal as i could for my family, that was in the june,in the july it was my birthday,which was very nice,with my family, the same week my mam took ill and was admitted to hospital,they asked for all her family to attend,it was'nt good! she passed away while we were there.
I took this very hard and went on a downward feeling for life,i cancelled my last 2 chemo sessions,which was hard but all i could think of is getting back to work.
I had radiotherapy earlyer than expected,then went back to work,I did and still do suffer with a damaged immune system,to which i am getting good care.
I desided i want to give back for all the help i got, so, i do the Race for Life every year and i also make cards and crafts to sell for Macmillan and heart foundation,I have had my work and story in magazines and hope it's a inspiration to others. I do keep intouch to this day with other survivors.
I can not say it has'nt changed me,because it has,i have become a harder person, my friends say i'm like an armidillo.........hard on the outside but soft on the inside,I do find sometimes i cry at the slightest thing,on the other hand I can be a tower of strength when needed,it's been 12years now, my family are my life.All i can say is this is a life worth fighting for, and i will keep up the fight for ALL survivors.
Peterborough,Cambs, United Kingdom