Our guest blogger this week Sara Cutting (aka Chemo Snood Head) talks about sharing her cancer story with local candidates over cake.
When I was diagnosed with breast cancer last July, I didn’t even give it a second thought that my treatment would not be taken care of by the NHS. I’ve always taken the NHS for granted. I, along with us all have watched Breaking Bad or other Hollywoodised fictions and truths from across the pond, of financial ruin and destitution from a cancer diagnosis.
I, on the other hand live this side of the pond, and from day one of my diagnosis, through to surgery, followed by six rounds of chemo and then a “grand finale” of four weeks of daily radiotherapy, never once did I feel that my care was being compromised due to lack of funding or the implication of areas of the NHS being manipulated by privatisation.
So when the invite came from Macmillan to join them one morning to have “Cake with Candidates” I jumped at the opportunity not only to eat cake, but to talk to my local candidates about my positive NHS & Macmillan Cancer Support experience. I was able to explain to my Labour candidate, Purna Sen from a first-hand position how incredible my treatment had been. How safe and held I felt throughout the whole process. I was also able to express my fears that if my cancer was to return, how worried I would be at the prospect of any changes in NHS cancer care and how they may impact on my treatment and subsequent recovery. I felt listened to and I felt that my story had had a real impact on Purna and her team and it was an extremely positive and empowering thing for me to tell her my story.
Cancer is a Diva that came along and took over my entire family’s life. The impact is not just about the physical trauma of surgery, chemo and radiotherapy. The emotional, financial and practical implications are what makes this Diva so demanding and where a NHS and Macmillan collaboration save the day. Without the clinical expertise of my surgical and oncology team with the adjunctive support of Macmillan, I wouldn’t have made it to where I am now and moving forward.
The Diva doesn’t move out when the treatment stops, she’s still living in our house and the ramifications of her overstayed visit are very real. With the continued support of Macmillan Cancer Care alongside knowing that the NHS team are still available should I need them, we will gradually send her packing in order that we can re-build our lives.
Sara Cutting
Chemo Snood Head
#NowGoCheckYourTits
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