Last April I presented myself at Accident and Emergency after 4 days of stomach soreness. I’d had no symptoms of any kind before that , but doctors clearly sensed and maybe felt the growth in my upward colon, so wanted me scanned quickly. I was admitted hours later and diagnosed with Stage 4 Colorectal cancer that had metasised in my liver. Sadly the spread was all over my liver so no surgery was possible. I was fitted with an ileostomy and commenced chemotherapy and immunotherapy Bevacizumab with an estimate of 6-9months lifespan.after 4 Chemo and 3 immunotherapy infusions, the treatment had reduced my tumour in size but was not addressing my liver, so I came off chemotherapy and started a fortnightly cycle of a different immunotherapy with Braf inhibitors, encorafenib to target my liver. After 2 months my cancer had reduced by 30% and a further two months had stabilised. I felt so much better and came off all pain killers including oral morphine. My point is that we are all different, we respond to treatment differently, we may be negative about the future or as n my case positive. Average lifespan includes short periods between diagnosis and death and long periods. In January I felt great , started ParkRuns and enjoying theatre and meals out that I hadn’t enjoyed since my illness. The Braf gene can replicate cancer very quickly; hence the introduction of Braf inhibitors. But again the average effectiveness period is one year, but my Consultant tells me of one patient remaining on them for 4 years. Michael Fox the actor described his philosophy for dealing with advanced Parkinson’s as “with gratitude, positivity is sustainable “ I’ve lapped up all the community resources on offer and have had counselling, art therapy, gardening club, colorectal support group,LGBTQ support group, Pilates, mindfulness , acupuncture and physio. All have helped in different ways and kept me positive. I just hope it lasts for as long as possible…I'll give it my best shot!