www.LetsFightCancer.co.uk

This is Helen's story of how she came to be diagnosed and how she's coped with living with cancer at the tender age of 23.

"Well, I am writing this in the most luxurious surroundings. Looking out over Grey skies, with lovely paper bed linen in a very clean, almost sterile environment. For those who don’t know, I welcome you to the Radio-Iodine Room at the QE. 4 days in complete isolations – sounds like bliss to any hectic individual I know, and it would be if, a) I wasn’t radioactive and b) I hadn’t been without a thyroid for 2 weeks!  So whilst glowing faintly in the corner, I thought I would share the ups and the downs of being 23 and living with cancer.  I was diagnosed on the 29^th June 2004 and that day literally changed my life forever. At 20, I was in my 2^nd year at University reading Marketing. Id been complaining of a sore arm, so much so I was packed off to A&E. it was there I met a man who gave me the opportunity to save my life, that having not met, I wouldn’t be here writing this story.  After checks to my arm, prods and pokes he asked me if it could be anything to do with my Thyroid problem. To which, in a typical Spencer retort I quipped “I didn’t know I had a thyroid” (I thought you got one of those in the menopause) OK, so Biology wasn’t my strong point.

24 hours later, I was seeing the top specialist they could find. I had blood tests, copious amounts of blood tests, and then a Fine Needle Aspiration. In hind sight it was a walk in the park, but at the time it was torture. i had begun a chapter of my life that I have yet still to close.  2 weeks later I would find out the results, his words were “It could be anything from Glandular Fever to Cancer”. 2 weeks of waiting equals 2 weeks of searching equals 2 weeks of downloading everything I could find on Google. Self diagnosis began and in reading the symptoms of Thyroid Cancer – I had a pretty clear idea of my fate.  Driving back down to Birmingham to get my results was a daunting but by no means terrifying experience. By the time I had found out, my next true memory is travelling home singing “Always look on the bright side of life” For those of you who have suffered the misfortune of hearing me sing, you can imagine the torture my parents had to endure on the journey home to Cheshire. Their baby girl had Cancer. I Had Cancer. 

2 surgeons, 1 oncologist, a team of experts, 5 operations and 6 lot of radiotherapy later and I still have cancer, but I’m OK with it. So I have a scar, a pretty big scar, if it was all straightened out into a long line then id ‘guestimate’ its about 28” long and frames my neck and décolletage beautifully!  But I am also 23. I have fat days (mostly due to medication issues but still) I have bad hair days but I also have really good days. I have the support of my Family, my Partner, and my Friends. I have developed such an amazing network around me, the days I cant keep going, other people keep going for me. Whether I make it back into remission or not, I will have a tremendous life, filled with love and happiness all due to one man – Mr John Watkinson. Literally a life saver (on more than one occasion) JW and his team have worked endlessly to ensure that I get the best possible care. I might never beat cancer, but I will always fight it. It inevitably changes your life, but it doesn’t have to ruin it. 

I’m raising money next year on the 2^nd Feb 2008 in true Spencer style by throwing a HUMONGOUS Ball in aid of Get Ahead. So use your head, think about neck and head cancer and if it affects you, or someone you know or have indeed lost, then get a wiggle on up to Cheshire and have the night of your life. Life is meant to be full of challenges, or at least that’s the way I look at it.

Cancer is a terrifying rollercoaster, but then so is life. I send my love to all those who have lost their battle – Dave, this ones for you mate, and to all those who have won – Andy and Big Col, I admire you both – and to those who like me, are somewhere in between. Good Luck!! "

Love always H xx (BSc Hons by the way!! )