Meant to say am 57 with chronic back pain due to a rugby accident. But always pushed on in life, still get up at 5 and drive 30 mile to work, love my job. Going to be hard times ahead but bring it on. Worried for my family. 

Hi Jolamine, thank you for a great welcome. I didn’t know these rooms existed. 
I have had a couple of’wobbles’ but that’s when the 2 granddaughters were coming to visit. They don’t know what’s happening at the mo. Ones 9 and ones just over a year old. It’s the lonely moments when you think about things. But I’m strong and need to be. As I tell anyone regarding my back problems, there are always people with worse out there. Thank you again for the welcome and support. Fingers crossed. 
Rich.

Hi Rich,

I found the early hours of the morning were my worst times. I had 2 bouts of breast cancer, within a year of one another. This was after I had lost my Mum to secondary breast cancer, which had spread to her liver, lungs, brain, and bone. I am a strong person, but I found that waiting for a diagnosis both times, was the hardest part of my cancer journey.

I have 2 children, who were young teenagers at the time. My husband had just taken early retirement, due to ill health and I was in the process of expanding my business. The first thought to enter my head, was what would happen to the children if neither of us were around to see them grow up. We had to set our house in order in case the worst should happen. I won't say that it's all been plain sailing, but I have been fortunate enough to see all my children's milestones since then. They finished school, went to university, graduated, found gainful employment, fell in love, got married and have provided me with two beautiful granddaughters. That was all 14 years ago and I am fortunate to still be here, leading a busy and fulfilling life.

I didn’t find these fora for a for a while after my diagnosis but found them a real lifeline once I did. There are also several cancer charities dotted throughout the UK, which offer support advice and physical help, when needed. These facilities also offer other services such as help in applying for benefits, counselling, alternative therapies, walking groups, seated yoga and of course, there is always time for a cuppa and a friendly chat with others, who are travelling, or have travelled this road. You may well find that there is an information centre in the hospital, but if not, most local information is available online, at your library, Citizen’s Advice Bureau, through your hospital care team, or your GP.

Do I take it that your rugby accident ended your rugby days? It is a rough sport. I lost a brother through playing rugby. He was just 28, newly married and building his own house, when he died, after the scrum collapsed on top of him – as you say, there is always someone worse off, but hey, life goes on.

As I said before, please keep in touch and let us know how you get on and remember, that we are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine