Stay as positive as you can

From Diane Simmonds

I was diagnosed in August 2006 with bowel cancer. A CT scan revealed it had spread to my liver. My prognosis was not good and I was given a Macmillan Nurse. I started chemotherapy and the first session was terrible. I reacted terribly, lost all sensation in arms and legs, couldn't open my eyes. To say I was sick is an understatement.

I was kept in hospital but allowed home the next day. It was quite a rough ride for the next 3 weeks. I then had to make the choice of carrying on, or giving up. I had too much to live for, so I carried on, and I'm glad to say I coped very well.

I have survived 5 years this week. I have stayed positive throughout and my oncologist is positive this has helped, as he doesn't know how I am still here. So my advice is to stay as positive as you can.