Story
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Back in January 2012 at the age of 51 I was diagnosed with bowel cancer, I was stunned, speechless and scared to say the least. At that time though I just thought 'oh well,I know it's going to be hard but I'll get through it'. After all, I considered myself a fit and healthy person, I've never really been ill and I wasn't about to start. Even now when people say how hard it must be to be so ill, I always say 'I'm not ill, but I do have an illness'. Friends said 'stay positive', I said 'stay focused'.
I didn't know too much about bowel cancer so I did some research and found the Bowel Cancer UK website. The site was a big help, it helped me to understand so many aspects of the disease, from what symptoms to look for, the statistics, support organisations as well as information about the operations and beyond.
This information was one of the many things that helped me through the last two and a half years, along with the love and support I have had from everyone I know and even some I didn't. The specialist NHS treatment and care I've had has been second to none and I honestly believe that we have the best medical service in the world.
I had the bowel operation which was a success, unfortunately I was also told the cancer had spread to my liver and I would need a liver resection. During the operation the surgeon removed approximately 80% of my liver. I never knew this but the liver is the only organ that regenerates, so within a few months I was back to my old self with a newly grown liver. I won't pretend it was easy, it wasn't and there were some very dark times.
Although I had loads of support from family and friends I still felt I needed to do something to stay focused so I took up sewing again and I started designing and sewing bags, it helped to keep me sane and gave me something enjoyable and satisfying to concentrate on when everything else in my life was crazy and uncertain. I've been lucky enough that people seem to have liked them enough to buy them. I've sold them at craft fairs where I've made loads of new friends and I've sold them on Facebook where I've met some old friends and made some more new ones.
Sadly the tumour in my liver has regrown after just a few months and I have been told it's incurable. The oncologist opinion is that I probably have less than 12 months, we'll see. I am determined it'll be a lot longer than that. My first grandchild is due in January so I pretty much have no intention of going anywhere just yet. It's all a bit hard to believe really because generally I feel really well, I'm definitely not complaining about that, long may it last.
So it's because of everything that's happened to me I want to help Bowel Cancer UK by raising some money to help with the costs of research into this horrible illness. It's not enough but it's my way of helping. Over the next few weeks I'm going to be selling off the rest of my bags and donating all the proceeds to this worthwhile cause.
Cancer touches all of our lives at some time in some way so I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for buying a bag from me and for allowing me to donate to this worthy cause.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe and they won't be sold and you won't receive unwanted emails. When you donate your money is sent direct to the charity. It's the most efficient way to donate and saves time and money for the charity.
Back in January 2012 at the age of 51 I was diagnosed with bowel cancer, I was stunned, speechless and scared to say the least. At that time though I just thought 'oh well,I know it's going to be hard but I'll get through it'. After all, I considered myself a fit and healthy person, I've never really been ill and I wasn't about to start. Even now when people say how hard it must be to be so ill, I always say 'I'm not ill, but I do have an illness'. Friends said 'stay positive', I said 'stay focused'.
I didn't know too much about bowel cancer so I did some research and found the Bowel Cancer UK website. The site was a big help, it helped me to understand so many aspects of the disease, from what symptoms to look for, the statistics, support organisations as well as information about the operations and beyond.
This information was one of the many things that helped me through the last two and a half years, along with the love and support I have had from everyone I know and even some I didn't. The specialist NHS treatment and care I've had has been second to none and I honestly believe that we have the best medical service in the world.
I had the bowel operation which was a success, unfortunately I was also told the cancer had spread to my liver and I would need a liver resection. During the operation the surgeon removed approximately 80% of my liver. I never knew this but the liver is the only organ that regenerates, so within a few months I was back to my old self with a newly grown liver. I won't pretend it was easy, it wasn't and there were some very dark times.
Although I had loads of support from family and friends I still felt I needed to do something to stay focused so I took up sewing again and I started designing and sewing bags, it helped to keep me sane and gave me something enjoyable and satisfying to concentrate on when everything else in my life was crazy and uncertain. I've been lucky enough that people seem to have liked them enough to buy them. I've sold them at craft fairs where I've made loads of new friends and I've sold them on Facebook where I've met some old friends and made some more new ones.
Sadly the tumour in my liver has regrown after just a few months and I have been told it's incurable. The oncologist opinion is that I probably have less than 12 months, we'll see. I am determined it'll be a lot longer than that. My first grandchild is due in January so I pretty much have no intention of going anywhere just yet. It's all a bit hard to believe really because generally I feel really well, I'm definitely not complaining about that, long may it last.
So it's because of everything that's happened to me I want to help Bowel Cancer UK by raising some money to help with the costs of research into this horrible illness. It's not enough but it's my way of helping. Over the next few weeks I'm going to be selling off the rest of my bags and donating all the proceeds to this worthwhile cause.
Cancer touches all of our lives at some time in some way so I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for buying a bag from me and for allowing me to donate to this worthy cause.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe and they won't be sold and you won't receive unwanted emails. When you donate your money is sent direct to the charity. It's the most efficient way to donate and saves time and money for the charity.