Hi Waterbabe,

I have just discovered Cancer Chat myself, after recently being diagnosed with lung cancer. I just wanted to let you know that I too am a survivor of ALL, I was diagnosed when I had just turned 16 in September 1984. I have 4 brothers, one of them was a bone marrow match and I underwent a bone marrow transplant in March 1985. I was back at school later that year, thanks to fantastic doctors & nurses at St James's Hospital in Leeds and amazing support from family and friends. Obviously every patient is different and all this happened 28 years ago but I have enjoyed good health for many years. Having just started chemotherapy for something else, I have been very impressed by the anti-sickness meds this time around, I certainly felt the side effects all those years ago. I remember seeing young children around the ward where I was and it is heart breaking to think how they must be wondering what is going on. But the younger you are, the more resilient you are and the better the odds of successful treatment. I even have a son of my own now who is 10, who doctors told me I would never have and, despite this being well before they were able to do such wonderful things to help cancer patients preserve their fertility, I was able to conceive unaided after rather a wait.

Anyway, all the very best to you, lots of love and, although I am a bit of an 'old timer' when it comes to how long ago it was when I was diagnosed, if you ever need to ask me any questions, please don't hesitate,

Mozzarella xx

Hi Waterbabe,

I have just discovered Cancer Chat myself, after recently being diagnosed with lung cancer. I just wanted to let you know that I too am a survivor of ALL, I was diagnosed when I had just turned 16 in September 1984. I have 4 brothers, one of them was a bone marrow match and I underwent a bone marrow transplant in March 1985. I was back at school later that year, thanks to fantastic doctors & nurses at St James's Hospital in Leeds and amazing support from family and friends. Obviously every patient is different and all this happened 28 years ago but I have enjoyed good health for many years. Having just started chemotherapy for something else, I have been very impressed by the anti-sickness meds this time around, I certainly felt the side effects all those years ago. I remember seeing young children around the ward where I was and it is heart breaking to think how they must be wondering what is going on. But the younger you are, the more resilient you are and the better the odds of successful treatment. I even have a son of my own now who is 10, who doctors told me I would never have and, despite this being well before they were able to do such wonderful things to help cancer patients preserve their fertility, I was able to conceive unaided after rather a wait.

Anyway, all the very best to you, lots of love and, although I am a bit of an 'old timer' when it comes to how long ago it was when I was diagnosed, if you ever need to ask me any questions, please don't hesitate,

Mozzarella xx