Note from the Editor

Four years ago I was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer at the age of 36. During lockdown I was shielding with my young child as a single parent, adjusting to living with cancer. Younger adults living with cancer are often juggling young families, taking care of their homes and relationships whilst receiving chemotherapy and ongoing maintenance treatments for their long term illness. Often they have needed to give up their career temporarily or permanently due to the physical or psychological impacts of cancer and, more recently, required to shield as a vulnerable person during the pandemic. In addition many women face decisions about fertility and some, like myself, are put through early menopause which has its own physiological symptoms to contend with, as well as consequences on mental health

I continue to work as a Dramatherapist utilizing the power of story to heal and empower diverse clients with a range of presentations. My own experience was that provision of accessible, creativity based therapeutic support for people living with cancer my age was limited. A majority of services are offered during day time which is difficult when trying to juggle work, home, being a parent and weekly hospital treatments.

My experience seemed like a perfect opportunity to trial an innovative pilot project and evaluate the response! Thank you to Literature Wales for the opportunity and for their kindness.

As facilitator I offered six monthly workshops as an opportunity to explore common themes through words; a story; excerpt from a play, poem or song lyrics which expressed what it is like facing death, fearing the unknown, noticing the changes in our body, and planning the future. There were opportunities to work alone, in pairs, and to share our writing. The main focus wasn’t to write the best you could, but to express ourselves and be creative. The power of these words was founded in the supportive safe space these women created for each other. The rawness, honesty and humor is breath taking at times. I want to thank Rachel, Jill, Lorraine and Charlene for all their time, love and belief in the project as without them this book would not have been possible. Charlene died during the lifetime of the group and this book is dedicated to her.

St David’s Hospice has been a sanctuary for me. I had been in ongoing discussions with St David’s thinking about accessible ways to support young adults. I continue to receive a lot of support from St. David's and this project is in partnership with them. In particular thank you to Andrew and Corraine for listening and believing in us.

I am also very blessed to have the support and encouragement of my friends and family, love really is a healing force. Thank you.

Together we have created ‘Staying Alive: A Book of Hope’, sharing our experiences through creative writing to offer strength, wisdom and tenacity and share our vulnerabilities. During chemotherapy my personal experience was that I wasn’t well enough to read, but I listened to books and music, therefore we also plan to record it as an audio book. This book will be made available for young adults at point of diagnosis or news of further treatment but also as a lesson for the wider public on how to cope with the impact of a pandemic, chronic illness and fatigue; when simultaneously facing death and staying alive.

Seren Haf

June 2022 the world stopped and irreversibly changed.

I’m Rachel Woods, a 53 year old, feisty, nature loving, horse mad, Welsh Woman, who loves my husband Steve.

Riding pillion on Steve’s Harley doesn’t come close to galloping my Welsh Section D, River, through the ancient woodland of Wentwood.

In December 2018, I was told I had Breast Cancer.................

Four weeks later I was told my Breast Cancer had also been found in my liver and bones. It had metastasized, advanced, was incurable, is terminal. Its called a ‘denovo’ diagnosis, I forfeited Primary and galloped straight into Secondary Cancer!

My first year following diagnosis was so far the most shocking of my life, if you are reeling with a diagnosis, just hang on, one breath at a time and access the support services that are there. Such as, Breast Cancer Nurse, Counsellors, GP, Financial and Benefit Advisers, Hospice Support Workers, Chaplin, grab it all, see what and who can support you, find out what works for you. Over time you will build a strong team that provide a foundation to manage your Cancer.

I receive treatment every three weeks and I have bloodwork and scans every three months. Living with incurable cancer is a constant dance with uncertainty, an emotional rollercoaster, hoping you remain stable ,whilst preparing yourself for the day you are told your cancer is on the move again. I hope that our poetry and writing provide you with an insight into living with Advanced Cancer. Offering support, comfort, courage and hope to not only those of us living with Cancer, but to their partners, older children, relatives and friends.

‘My name is Jill and I am a 50 year old married Mum of one. I was diagnosed with primary breast cancer in 2006 when my daughter was 14 months old. I had multiple surgeries, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and hormone therapy.

I was diagnosed with secondary cancer in 2019 by chance following routine blood tests. I am having continuous chemotherapy, hormone and bone therapy and have retired from work as a physiotherapist due to ill health.

I try to to live in the present and embrace every day to make memories and have a good time!

I am lucky to have an amazing husband, daughter, friends and family that support me in many ways. I’m also very lucky to have my NHS teams always giving me excellent support, care and kindness. I have always loved writing and poetry so being able to contribute to this book fulfils a dream for me! The creative writing group allowed me to voice my feelings in a safe environment, enabling expression of emotions, thoughts, and fears. And I made some lovely new friends!’

Hello, I’m Lorraine, a 38 year old, wife and mum of two.

My Cancer Journey started in 2011, when my son was just 7 months old. I had pain and weight loss but cancer was never thought of as I was too young! At this point I was 28. My cancer was diagnosed following an emergency ambulance admission and subsequently emergency surgery. The tumour had blocked my bowel causing it to perforate. I was gravely unwell, I fought for my life and I won.

I was cancer free for approximately 6 years. Due to my life saving surgery I have adhesions in my bowel, which can cause blockages.

The CT scan was requested to explore this but found multiple lung nodules which following a biopsy was diagnosed as incurable metastatic bowel cancer (dam!).

Prior to the cancer, I studied speech therapy at university and was working in this profession. I mainly worked with adults who had experienced speech, language, communication and swallowing difficulties due to an acquired neurological disorder, such as Stroke, MS, Parkinson ’ s.

I grew up with three sisters, we continue to have a close relationship and none of them have developed cancer (touch wood quick! And thank goodness). They all work and have their own families.

My dad is retired and is very supportive, helping me with the children and taking me to chemo and appointments if needed.

Sadly I lost my mum 6 years ago due to complications caused by MS. I miss her dearly.

I’ve been happily married (although my husband may disagree!!) since 2009. My husband is an amazing man, he’s very supportive and I feel so very lucky to have him in my life.

I am a mum to a 10 year old boy and a 7 year old girl, plus I must not forget my fur baby Lumi he is 4 years old and is a Cane Corso.

Currently I’m on a treatment break, so basically when my lung tumours are stable, I receive 3 monthly scans. If progression is found then I go back on chemo for approx. 6 months.

I hope you enjoy my contribution. I’ve never written creatively but have embraced this opportunity and have benefitted greatly.

Some take home messages from me is to be kind to yourself, rest when you need to, eat when you feel able and hold your loved ones that little bit longer, enjoy spending time together be in the moment, house work and chores can wait.

Much Love XX