At 56 I assumed I still had plenty of time ahead of me to live a full and great life with my children and grandchildren...and then the diagnosis of Myeloma, an incurable bone marrow cancer, was handed to me. For a long time it seemed unreal, I was told I was in Stage 1 MGUS and that I could stay in that stage for many, many years to come. I assumed therefore, that I would continue my life until meeting my Maker with the help of the number 14 bus at the age of 107, on my way to a Jive class with my 98 year old toyboy (still my plan!).

Apparently there is only a 1% chance of entering Stage 2...and I was told I was part of the 1% Club at the end of December 2015.

Since my levels have continued to slowly rise, I have woken up to the fact that there is no point in sitting back and giving up, there are too many things to fight and stay alive for.

Last night I felt my stomach churn and my heart pound in dread, just as I'd felt when I sat waiting for my first bone marrow biopsy to gauge the level of the cancers spread. This time it was because I had decided to press the "POST" button on Facebook and raise this page on JustGiving, to ask for help, not only from friends and family, but strangers too, to pay for alternative cancer fighting treatments like the Hyperbaric Oxygen in the photo.

Swallowing pride and holding out my hands for financial help came really hard. I've already been humbled and inspired by the first responses I've received so far on Facebook and feel re-motivated to continue my fight!

I don't fear death itself because I have strong beliefs of what happens after we die. What I do fear; apart from leaving my Sons and my Grandchildren far too early, is to die realising that I didn't actually LIVE, that I could have done so much more with my life (I'm not talking about parachuting out of a plane!) but REALLY living and also helping others through their own battles with this disease that I truly believe can be conquered.

Thank you.