Sonia, United Kingdom

I have battled both breast cancer stage 1 and womb cancer stage 3c. Cancer? you hear of everyone else getting it from afar, friends but when it invades your family it a total different ball game. I am black British fairly fit and come from a family of 9. 6 girls and 1 boy we are all now in our 50's and 60's. My first experience at 44 years old I was only looking in mirror one day and thought what if I get breast cancer. Didn't think nothing of it then although I did feel 'something' in my left one. I only went to the hospital to check a fatty lump in my right armpit. The doctor examined both breasts and then started acting a bit like something wasn't right. I ended up having a a mammogram/x-ray on the same day. Four days later I was called back and advised I had breast cancer in the left one stage 1 -2. 7 years later I was diagnosed with stage 3c womb cancer. This was an aggressive form of cancer and I was losing weight quite rapidly but prior to this years ago I had my 'ovaries out so the symptoms of bleeding couldn't be because I was on my periods. Before the bleeding I noticed I was putting on weight especially around my waist and my belly felt quite solid. I was a getting hot flushes but all the windows air con was open/on. One day I felt quite lethargic and on the evening I started bleeding quite a lot ..like non stop.. went to A & E..but they sent me home as it had eased up. I was booked in for a referral X-ray and I knew then something was seriously wrong as they the way the person was typing information and I even asked what's that on the X-ray, but they cant tell you. 3 days later I was called into the doctors to break the news I had womb cancer. Everything was happening so fast X-rays, consultations etc.. They advised me the cancer was aggressive and had spread outside my womb.

For Breast cancer I had a lumpectomy and radiotherapy for 4 weeks. I did cry when I was told and the consultant asked me what I was thinking/feeling. All I thought was I'm going to lose my hair and die. Lose my hair? that should have been that last thing on my mind, but it was so surreal that its like you're watching you going through it (hope that makes sense). I have a big family so I was well supported by them and my friends. The hospital breast cancer nurses were amazing and follow up treatment was good. I recovered quite well and was back at work within 6 months. For my Womb cancer I was booked in a month later to have full abdominal hysterectomy, then 5 rounds of chemotherapy, 10 weeks of radiotherapy as they target the areas separately, and 1 round of bractherapy. I didn't worry about hair this time!!. Lots of nice wigs about.

I spoke to Macmillan nurses quite a lot over the phone and they were really helpful in understanding my feelings. I also joined a Macmillan online forum as I was off work for a long while just to hear others as I never really heard of womb cancer, ovarian/cervical yes. During my Chemo I tried to plan days around it. Like a couple of days before chemo go shopping get what I needed to eat in. The day of chemo I just did nothing. The day after chemo I felt a bit okish so did a bit of pottering around but the 3rd day after chemo it took its effect and felt like I was hit by a bus but I was ready as I already knew what was coming after the first round of chemo. My family/friends were great although still worried. I think I am quite strong mentally and I know some of us aren't but its good to try to talk doesn't matter what about talk trash tv if you want, about the weather. Maybe on line or a support group. I also did a couple of walks when I could but nothing drastic.

I felt I was taken good care of on both occasions, even the consultant said to my mum before my womb cancer op don't worry we will look after your daughter. The only thing before my op one doctor because he felt he was working under pressure made a comment 'he cannot work miracles'. This was resolved through speaking to other bodies at the hospital. I cant really be negative about the system as through another routine mammogram they spotted a small pea shaped lump which the doctor said it had to come out.

Don't be afraid to ask questions to the doctors/consultants/nurses even if you feel it may be a silly question. Maybe you or a friend/family to write questions down beforehand. If you have been diagnosed with Cancer you don't feel like talking face to face there is plenty of support online or leaflets/book. I had financial help from Macmillan also to help with travel costs. Try and carry out normal activities where possible even if it is a walk around the garden or step outside to get fresh air. If you don't feel like it rest. Your body has been through a lot so try to balance out what you can do. If you have children try to explain what's happening/what steps are being taken to get through. Please remember you are not alone.