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It says here it doesn’t matter where you go in life, what you do, or how much you have

it’s who you have beside you.

That was given to me by a very dear friend Lorraine

I think it really actually sums up the Macmillan unit, totally.

Because they’re always beside you.

I was diagnosed in 2004 with multiple myeloma.

The illness was treatable but not curable

and the 'but' negated the treatable the treatable bit so

I was lying in bed thinking this is not curable, what does it mean?

I was very, very scared.

and that’s when Erica walked in

and asked me if I had any questions. I could hear myself saying this isn’t curable.

And she said I wouldn’t say it like that,

and put the leaflets down on the bed next to me

took my hand and then

very ably explained to me what was going on.

And I realised then yes, it was treatable

all of a sudden I had hope and I had something to fight for

and I wasn’t scared anymore and that's what Erica did for me.

When you tell somebody they’ve got cancer, or myeloma

you start telling them about the treatments

and what you have in store for them

and that robs them of the control that they have

they’re following that pathway.

So it is important for people to be able to cope

to have some control back over their life

and to feel that they’re involved in that decision making process.

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For you to have a control in whatever way it is

over what’s happening to you,

although you are also giving yourself to

the expertise of those around you

and to do that you really need to trust those people

and one of the ways that I found

that really encouraged that trust

was being treated as an individual.

Actually having cancer is a very expensive process

which you don’t realise.

We offer Citizen’s Advice Bureau,

addressing things like benefits,

financial support,

we help with housing,

finances, you know if people are unable to work

or haven't got a job at that particular point.

You know the support is evident when you’re in as a patient, around you.

I think what’s probably less known

is things like the helpline

for times when you just need somebody to talk to.

You can pick it up at anytime somebody’s there to listen

which has proved invaluable to me.

That’s invaluable not only for patients but for

family members for people involved with friends,

there’s so many, so many people that can use that help and support line.

That’s Alan and I on one of our holidays many years ago,

I think we were drinking sangria but you can’t see it at the bottom there.

If right now I could go back to the Patsy in 2004 that was lying in that room,

I would be saying this lady that’s going to come in

trust her, which I did.

Listen to what she’s saying.

Everything’s going to be alright because you are supported by an amazing group of people.

And they’re going find you, help you find your inner resources to be well again.

Trust them

and really look forward,

look forward to a bright future.

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Wherever your journey may take you

Call the Macmillan Team free on 0808 808 0000

For cancer support every step of the way

We are Macmillan Cancer Support 0808 808 0000