In 2021 aged 35 I was diagnosed with cancer; this was completely unexpected. The day I was diagnosed, I met my three incredible Macmillan nurses, saved in my phone as ‘The Worcester Angels’. These three amazing women completely humanised the clinical environment and took charge of my life/diary and made sure I was seen as quickly as possible across multiple hospitals, they chased results and made me feel safe when I felt so vulnerable.

Having cancer during the pandemic added another level of complexity, unable to have anyone in the hospital with me I cannot stress the
importance of seeing these familiar faces in stressful environments. They reiterated clinical conversations multiple times, held my hand when I was scared and chatted about the mundane. The connection the nurses built up was all done with their faces partially covered with a mask, even now I haven’t seen my team’s faces in full.

I turned again to Macmillan after being told I was cancer free; this ironically is when I struggled the most. Coming off the cancer treadmill the enormity of what had just happened unexpectedly hit me, at a time I thought I would feel so joyful. Having cancer during the pandemic I had created a façade unwilling to upset my friends and family further by expressing my fears of pain, reoccurrence, anger, combined with the immense guilt of knowing I was ‘well’ when I had met people that didn’t have the same outcome.

Macmillan offered me therapy to navigate life after cancer, my counselling sessions allowed a safe space for me to voice my darkest
feelings, how to work through panic attacks and intrusive thoughts, ultimately help me plan a way forward post cancer and feel like myself again.

I am immensely aware of the privileged circumstances in which I faced cancer, I was treated quickly, have a supportive network, a wonderful employer and don’t have a young family to support. I can only imagine what additional stress is caused if even one of the above is uncertain.

Right now, one in four people living with cancer in the UK feel that they just ‘can’t afford life’ and 4 in 5 people with cancer are up to £891 poorer each month because of the cost of cancer. This statistic is completely unacceptable.

On Sunday 23^rd April I will be running the London marathon for Macmillan Cancer Support, I hope to raise as much money as I can
for this incredible charity. I should caveat by saying this is a couch to
marathon situation and will be one almighty challenge. (I am still yet to experience the ‘runners high’ I’m a firm believer this is a myth).

The following weekend I will also be cycling 100k through the streets of London at night.

In the same month I will be having my MRI scans and will hopefully be two years cancer free, trying to channel the ‘Scaniexty’ into something positive. 

Macmillan help people get through cancer. Your donations
make it happen.  If you could support, my challenge I would be forever grateful.

Laura x