Page 24 - link magazine

24 The Link Magazine • December 2001
Dave Rogers Coping with cancer
pa .ete' awe '^ecazccra2 Two major cancer charities announced in November that breast cancer is now the most common form of
rI11
1 I
the disease in Britain. Deirdre O'Connell from Toothill describes how she has coped during the last ten
months since being diagnosed, and thanks everybody who has supported her and her family.
Interior and exterior'
decorating carried out to On 17 February 2001 I noticed a A mammo- paign'. A huge
lump in my breast. I went to my gram, ultrasound thank you to eve-
a high standard including:
doctor immediately. He tried to and needle bi- ryone who spon-
• Painting • Wallpapering extract fluid from what he said opsy followed on sored us.
• Coving • Tiling was probably a cyst, no fluid came 13 March. Finally I managed to
• General Maintenance out. He referred me to PMH and on 20 March I was work as much as
• Gardening assured me everything would be diagnosed with possible during my
NO JOB TOO SMALL fine. A few days later I phoned the breast cancer. treatment and col-
For a prompt friendly hospital and was informed to my My whole leagues were very
horror that I would be seen on 12 world collapsed supportive.
professional service
April, eight weeks later. I could around me. Staff Radiotherapy
Telephone: 875354
not wait that long and pleaded for at PMH were started in Septem-
Mobile: 07970 483393 an earlier appointment. I was seen very reassuring. ber which meant
on 6 March. The consultant took My mother, sis- travelling to Ox-
some cells from the lump. He also ter and children ford several times
assured me that I had nothing to were waiting at at Lydiard Park in June a week. I have fin-
@JFK worry about, especially as I was home. Keith, my ment now except for routine check
ished all my treat-
only 34.
boyfriend, and I told them the
BUILDING Keith at the end of the New York dreadful news. My poor mother ups and am glad to have my hair
marathon on 4 November had already lost two brothers from back.
SERVICES cancer. I told them I would be fine I think staying positive over the
and that life must go on as normal. past eight months has helped, not
Extensions, Alterations, On 4 April I had a lumpectomy. to mention the enormous support
The signs were good, but chemo- from my wonderful family and all
Renovations
therapy and radiotherapy would my friends. Keith, who travelled
All aspects of garden follow. I did not feel too bad dur- many miles several times a week
construction including fencing ing chemotherapy, but losing my to be with me, has been my guard-
hair was extremely traumatic. ian angel and of course my chil-
All general building work
During chemo I took part in dren, Gemma, 13 and Tony, 10,
Tel: Mr J.F. Keenan 'Race for Life' with my sister. It have been truly amazing. I am very
was a great day. We raised over proud of them.
(01793) 727824
£1,000 and it was fantastic to have Early detection of breast cancer
done something worthwhile. is so important. Statistics show 680
Hopefully I will take part again new breast cancers are diagnosed
next year. Keith ran the New York each week in the UK. Hopefully
marathon on 4 November raising one day there will be a cure for this
over £2,300 for 'Breast Cancer Cam- terrible disease.
Book now for the Moonwalk

Application forms are now available for the annual overnight
moonwalk marathon on 11 May through the streets of London in aid
of Breakthrough Breast Cancer and the Bristol Cancer Help Centre.
Pick one up at the Link Centre gym or Oasis main reception. Apply
early as there will only be 10,000 places.
For the last two years Swindon women walking under the banner
Superb Twin Peaks have been the largest group from any town in the UK - 100
in 1999 and over 200 last year. Will Twin Peaks 3 be even bigger?
A meeting for moonwalkers is being planned for Tuesday 15 January.
Specialist More details will be found in next month's Link.
Serving breakfast for Breakthrough at Cellular Operations in Peatmoor on 26
IJ Cleaning of October, from left, volunteers Dinos Papadakis, Eunice Salmon, customer
support staff Louise Rainbird and Tracey Castle, volunteer Lyn Tarbet, facilities
Carpets, manager Paul Dolphin, catering manager Emma Roberts. (The Budwiser in the
photo is a raffle prize) See story right
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