New to cancer chat

Hi Im Lynne

Im a proud cancer survivor. I was diagnosed with spindle cell sarcoma in my right thigh bone in 2002. It is a form of bone cancer more common in children than at the time a 32 year old woman. It was missed by my local NHS hospital from the March until i went private through my work insurance in June  it was dismissed as a bone cyst. I waslucky to have one of the top orthopaedic oncologists in the country to look after me at The Royal orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham and I owe them my life. I went through 6 sessions of m week long chemo begfore my operation which removed the affected bone and replaced it with a titanium replacement taking most of my thigh, knee and shin bone the  another 6 sessions afterwards to make sure it was all clear. thank god i have been totally clear ever since and this week celebrate 13 years clear. It has been life changing for me learning to walk again and not able to do a lot of the things i took for granted before but im alive. I found the hardest part was after the all clear when you are suddenly alone I didnt feel overwelming joy like you see on the adverts i felt angry and found it hard to cope. I had my counselling 6 years after the all clear to finally accept the loss and start living again. i would love to be able to be there for anyone else feeling lost after the end of treatment as I had no one i could talk to who could understand at the time

  • Hello Lynne,

    A big welcome to Cancer Chat and thank you very much for posting your story. 13 years clear that's really good to hear and I am sure your story will inspire many here who may be currently going through cancer treatment.

    I am glad you have now reached a point where you can start living again and I am sure there will be others here who will feel better after reading your story because they will recognize the same complex post-treatment feelings you describe. I hope they will pop along and share their own story with you.

    Best wishes and all the best for Christmas,

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Hi I am Bobbie and I  am 8years breast cancer survivor and feel like I am still struggling to come to terms with the changes to my life. I am single now ( through choice I no longer feel feminine after my mastectomy) still have `tired days`. I have 2 daughters  28 and 18 and 3 beautiful granddaughters who keep me going even on my darkest days.  I really want to start `living`  again but dont know where to start.

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    Hi Lynne.  I found your story inspiring and am so glad that you have now come to terms with what happened to you and are able to move on.  Hopefully your words will help inspire Bobbie to seek help with her difficulties.  Bobbie, can I suggest that you contact the McMillan nurses at your local hospital and seek counselling?  8yrs is a hell of a long time wasted - so make 2016 the year to get yourself sorted out!  I would imagine that your divorce has hindered things somewhat and McMillan have relationship counsellors who will help you with that too.  Good luck Bobbie and well done Lynne and I wish you a  long and heppy life x

  • Hi Bobbie , i feel exactly the same i had breast cancer grade 3 in 2008 , i had chemo surgery and radio, i was going through divorce at the same time , nothing to do with the cancer i was cheated on. i have 3 grown up kids and 4 grandkids they do keep me alive i must say. I sruggle with work , as i work in care, but i have to work full time because i was left with loads of debts. When i was on my radiotherapy unfortunately my dad died and that was worse than any treatment i was having, but then a few month after my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer and she died 5 yrs after diagnosis, it is coming upto her 2nd anniversary of her death, so dont kniow whether my feelings are due to this, but i am really struggling any suggestions 

    Thanks Tracy