Here is my story.

In 2002 at the age of 60 I was recalled for a biopsy when a routine mammogram showed some changes.

I was not worried as most of these turn out to be benign. Even when I was diagnosed with pre- cancerous cells in the milk ducts of my left breast, I knew this was an early warning and I could be cured, so I was very grateful that I had attended that mammogram.

My attitude was probably quite positive as in 1996 I had a heart attack, so I thought, been there, done that and survived.

The next positive thing was I lived 20 minutes from the Royal Marsden Cancer Hospital in Sutton, (A very renowned worldwide  hospital) and was referred there for treatment. I was told that as it was quite spread out it would be safer to have the breast removed which my dear husband encouraged me to do. I didn’t need much encouragement and duly had the op where 7 lymph nodes in the armpit were also removed and no cancer cells were found. 

I was so thankful that it was my left arm which had some restricted movement for a while.

I also had a reconstruction at the same time which is fine apart from the fact that I don’t think the surgeon realised that woman of a certain age tend to “droop” and so my implant is about 3 inches higher. He obviously only saw me lying on my back when operating and as we ladies know – the breasts seem to disappear under your arm when lying down flat!

In 1965 I started to get back aches and after trying several alternative treatments to no avail, my G.P sent me for an X-ray and from the result of that I was referred back to the Marsden, had a bone scan and it proved that it had moved to my spine.  I still felt optimistic as so many friends and acquaintances said they knew people with bone cancer and had had it for years.

I was more upset that I had to take Arimidex (a hormone suppressant drug) which together with having to give up my keep fit classes and Line dancing, piled on a lot of weight.

I could still do a lot of other things that I enjoyed.  I took up Tai Chi which didn’t hurt my back and was very relaxing. I joined an art class, was useless but I enjoyed the challenge. I had always like singing as a youngster so I joined a singing class and was invited to join a little guitar/singing group that played at old folks homes  and kept them awake for an hour. We think the residents and carers enjoy our version of all the old 60’s hits!

A couple of years later I started to get further pains in my bones, but a spot of Radiotherapy works wonders and I am now pain free – another reason to be thankful.

I was also very lucky to have such a caring and supportive husband as well as as our family and loyal friends.  You only need to look around, and you will aways find someone worse off than yourself.

It was a bit of a blow when I was told in this summer that it had spread to my liver but I thought there is nothing I can do about so no point worrying and just get on with it.

Even when I had my first ever session of Chemotherapy and had a terrible reaction to it and was hospitalised for 11 days I was very drugged up so wasn’t really able to think about anything much.

Now I am recovering very well and am now half way through my second bout of Chemo and touch wood, no side or ill effects – keeping fingers crossed. 

A positive thing is now I don’t take Arimidex any more, the weight has fallen off and I am back to my old fighting weight. As I gave all my “thin” clothes to the charity shop, I can’t wait to go clothes shopping  again!

Now I feel so much better and am much more mobile (went to Supermarket with Hubby yesterday) I feel pretty positive that I will live longer than they give me credit for .

All went well until he developed prostate symptoms aged 61 (like most other men at that age) and I went straight back into the ‘It’s back’ mode.  By this time I had had 8 years of palliative care nursing under my belt and knew the effects of advanced prostate cancer.  After dozens of ghastly tests (there must be a more dignified way of accessing a man’s prostate!) the answer was, yes there were a few odd cancer cells there.  I went into funeral planning mode, while he remained calm and carried on with his work.  The plan was ‘watchful waiting’. After another few months and yet another biopsy the test came back clear…..his immune system must have ‘mopped up’ those rogue cells.

I have now stopped my watchful waiting and am just enjoying the present. I know that testicular and prostate cancer bear no relationship to each other and many men of his age have the odd malignant cell in their prostates…….if you go looking for them.

This website is a great bonus for neurotics like me as I can tell my story without feeling I am fussing over nothing, especially when I read other people’s stories.

I would be very glad to hear about other’s experiences and for us to share our concerns together.

Thanks

We have been through a lot when my husband was ill… It has been 8 years ago and we are still recovering from this. I never thought it was going to be such a long process. It was tough for us as we did not have any family to support us. I felt torn apart between supporting my husband whilst he was having his chemo and bringing up our two boys. Luckily we had some friends who helped us. I wish I could use a similar form of support then, It would be ideal for me as I could not go anywhere when my husband was in hospital for 6 months.

Hi, I am an administrator of this website. I have been diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma in October 2000, just before my 5th wedding anniversary. My boys were 3 and 1-year-old. At that time I was a 3rd year student nurse at University of Surrey on a community placement.
I had my treatment at The University College of London Hospital. I spent nearly 6 months in a hospital having my chemotherapy, with short breaks at home when I was waiting for my blood count to recover between the chemo courses.

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This blog is for:

- cancer survivors
- cancer survivors’ families
- cancer survivors’ friends
- and anybody affected by cancer in any way