At the start of October I had my second surgery so I could go on
to have my treatment. At the end of February 2008 I under
went radiation treatment, where I was in a lead lined room in
isolation for about 5 days with no one being aloud to come in to
see me. People had to stand behind a lead shield behind the
door ages away from me for only 30 minutes a day.
I was very sick while having treatment and Mum and Dad couldn't
come near me to give me a hug or anything for a further two weeks
after I got home as I was very radioactive.
I received one pill for my treatment that had been all
around the world to make it and it had a 12 day admidatration
period. I also had to wash my clothes and dishes separate
from everyone else.
Two and a half years later and I have yearly checkups with
regular blood tests.
CanTeen has helped me immensely in coming to terms with being a
cancer patient, especially while I was at school. I have been on
various CanTeen National programmes, becoming a Teenlinker (peer
support programme for young people who have experienced cancer) and
I am now the Vice-President for our Southland CanTeen Branch.
CanTeen has helped me mentally and emotionally and developed my
confidence, self esteem, motivation, and I have made long lasting
friendships. Not only has CanTeen supported me but they have
also supported my now 15 year old sister who is also a member of
our Committee.
CanTeen has given me a positive out look on life and that even
though you may have cancer still try and live life
to the full and keep it real. These are two
of CanTeen's six values that we all try to live by that have helped
me greatly. Living by these six values has recently helped me once
again as my Dad was diagnosed at the start of July 2010 with Ana
plastic Large Cell lymphoma. This is a type of Non Hodgkin's
Lymphoma. He has just started chemotherapy and will be on that for
the next six months.
I would like to thank CanTeen so much for their support over the
last two and a half years and their on going support for the
future!!