Maria

My name is Maria i am 46 yrs old.

My first encounter with Cancer was when i was 28, I had Cervical Cancer which resulted in having to have a hysterectomy, I was very lucky to have my son George whom I treasure dearly.

Then in 2004 i found a lump in my right breast and was diagnosed with a grade 3 aggressive, oestrogen receptive tumor. After a Lumpectomy, 6months of Chemotherapy, and 5 weeks of Radiotherapy life began to feel good again, then on a routine check up i expressed my concern to my doctor about my right nipple, pieces of skin were peeling off and the nipple itself was black.

Quite quickly i had a biopsy then the devastating news came this time i had Pagets disease which is cancer of the nipple this time it meant a full Mastectomy which i had in 2006. Thanks to my wonderful Consultant and Surgeon i was spared having to wake up to no breast at all as he had done a L.E.D. Flap which involves cutting the back and bringing skin and muscle round to the front inserting an implant and closing the wound to form the breast of this he did a great job. I am awaiting nipple reconstruction in the near future.

I have always been a positive person and this was a great help during my dark days but i also had the love and support of a great family, loving friends, and my own cancer nurse who was invaluable. Even when all my hair fell out it was a positive we raised money for the cancer unit. [they do some great wigs by the way]

My message for any woman or man facing a journey with cancer is stay positive because there is the support out there.

AND THERE IS LIFE AFTER CANCER.