Natasha, United Kingdom

Cancer turned my world upside down Christmas 2022.  I was left spinning, but with support of my incredible Clinical Nurse Specialist, my world was stabilised.

Hearing the words "you have cancer" left me confused and frightened - not knowing where to turn.  Trying to process those words was a mammoth task, but I was determined to fight this disease.  However, just a month later,  just as I was due to start treatment, I heard the words "the cancer has moved to your brain.  You are now stage 4: inoperable and incurable." 

This was the point my world flipped upside down and started to spin out of control.  I felt like I had created this storm of chaos around me - my family and friends were left panicked and reeling.  I had created this chaos, I was the eye of the storm, I was responsible.  

It was the words of my beautiful cancer nurse specialist who calmed me and helped me see through the fog and panic.  She explained that yes, the cancer was now stage 4, yes it was deemed incurable, but that I could learn to live with it, possibly for many years.  She gave me hope.

Now two years later, I still hold that hope close.  I have learnt to live with my diagnosis.  I have had some incredible experiences in the past two years; my life has been filled with love and support from the most wonderful cheerleaders a girl could wish to have.  

The cancer has stabilised for now, as has my world.  I can't take this for granted though as who knows when my world will be flipped upside down again.