"My experience of having cancer"

I received a cancer diagnosis in March 2024. In April I had a planned surgery to have a pelvic clearance and commenced Chemo in June 2024. My first treatment didn’t work as the cancer had spread. In late November 2024 I started Immunotherapy treatment but by February 2025 following a CT scan I discovered to treatment was not working. In March after further talks with my Oncologist I commenced new chemo treatment. I have just finished my second chemo and will start follow on medication in September. I’ve had positive results during this chemo but I await a further CT scan of the final outcome. 

My diagnosis was a terrible shock to me and my family. I never got upset or researched the internet. This allowed me to live in the moment and face the challenges as they arrived. My husband has been at my side through out to support and rally me along. My immediate and wider family have also been loving & caring, supportive and helped carry the worry. My friends have are there to lift my spirits, offer help and have stuck with me. 

The challenges have been there and I have been really scared many times. To prevent me becoming overwhelmed I only shared the full picture of my journey with my husband & immediate family including my brother & sister. This allowed me time to process and come to terms with what lay ahead. In time I shared with close friends when I had more knowledge and could be positive about the outlook. 

I have good faith passed on from my parents so I have received many prayers and still do today. I pray myself for strength, resilience and peace of mind. I also say prayers for other people who are in need and not just those going through cancer. 

If my scan shows positive results and I adjust to the new medication I hope to return to work in November 2025. 

I hope and pray for the best outcome so I can get back to my life before my cancer came to visit. 

Finally the care & support I have received from my Oncologist and her team, the Specialist nurse and Nurses  in the Assessment clinic and the Cancer centre has been immense even when things didn’t go to plan. The surgical Consultants again provided me with great care and support in particular after my second surgery. 

My experience with cancer has been new to me, scary, emotional and life changing. I now fear getting scan results but try my best to be brave. 

I’m in my 60’s so I am learning to adapt and make better use of my time. I try to think if I don’t use it, I’ll lose it.