Accepting your diagnosis

Age 59, diagnosed 18 months ago, with secondaries to bones/ liver. My husband/family did not understand the termoil I was in. I had worked for the NHS and understood my disease. Taking early retirement was a great idea, it enabled me to spend time doing the things I like – lunch with friends, my pets, cats, dogs, horse which was initially difficult due to the chemo/ascites. Friends and family advised me to get rid of them!

A good support network of fun friends who will help you focus on what matters most – ditch those who make you miserable. Get fit. Two friends advised me against it but I was determined. It was a slow progress as chemo makes muscles weak and I had mega ascites to deal with. Getting fit has helped enormously, both physically and psychologically. I can now walk my dogs, hike 4 miles (I was in a wheelchair for 3 months) and I horseride too. Don’t think about dying, concentrate on living each day as best you can. Eat well, enjoy a treat, laugh a lot and be daring!