Story
Nothing prepares you for the day you are told you have cancer. Your entire life is flipped on its head. Especially when you are 38 with 2 young children and an ideal married life, and have invested so much of your life in Disney fairy-tales and happily ever afters. I was told on my second meeting after I was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer there was nothing they could do, surgery wasn't an option, just palliative chemo. My days were numbered. The NHS had given up on me before even trying anything to help. 2 and a half years later, after 2 major surgeries, 4 smaller surgeries this year alone and another one planned, 23 lots of chemo, and more in the pipeline, permanent damage to my body, countless scars both mental and physical, several complete and utter mental breakdowns. (myself and others in my life I'm sure) I am happy to say I'm still here. Im extremely lucky enough to say I'm in a good place going forward for now. I tell myself I'm grateful every day. Grateful for my friends and family who have supported me, grateful that our kids are coping amazingly and thriving, and grateful for the incredible medical team I have through private health care looking after me, that I know many others aren't fortunate enough to have. My plan is to run (well, walk!) the race for life with my team in June, but cancer can be unpredictable and if this changes I will be there supporting the whole team running on my behalf and on behalf of the loved ones in their lives affected by this shit show of a disease. If you can spare anything to donate to our team to contribute towards research so less people suffer through cancer we would all appreciate it greatly, as I'm sure will the many people living with this disease. I don't know what the future holds for me but I know my aim is to continue to enjoy the glimmers with my awesome family and friends in between the tough times. To love them with all I have to give, and to make as many happy memories as we can. But above all to keep laughing, because sometimes it's the only thing that can get you through. Thanks for reading. Abbie x