'I was told I have 3 years to live - 6 years later I'm hugging my kids so tight'

11 January 2024 , 14:40

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Roisin is cherising life with her children (Image: Roisin Pelan)

Six years ago on this date, I was told to 'aim for three years'.

The trauma of going anywhere near that memory for too long is crippling. The agony of being told that I would have to leave my daughter Ivy. She was three, I meant everything to her.

I remember so painfully, the feeling of absolute despair. There wasn't anyone on earth, not one person who could tell me everything would be okay. I remember I pleaded and pleaded but not for anything in particular. I just shouted painful "pleases" with fists of my husband Michael's jumper in my hands. Strangely, not asking for help, because I already knew there wasn't any. It had got to the point of no return and I knew it.

My diagnosis was stage 3C breast cancer, which was apparently quite a rare stage to be in as it hasn't spread to any organs or bones, but it has spread beyond the breast. In my case, my supraclavicular node, above my collarbone, the nodes from the mammary chain up into my neck and behind my breast bone.

Thank the lord for the internet and for stories of hope. HOPE, that one little word, means EVERYTHING to someone who feels like they have none. I would love these words to reach someone who needs to hear them today and that someone can find some hope in them - just as I have from so many other people on the internet!

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Photo 1: just after my first diagnosis Photo 2: just after secondary diagnosis Photo 3: loving life Photo 4: Thankful (Supplied)

Six years after that awful day, I'm sat up in my little Fightypants office, with a nice cuppa next to me and some winter sun shining through the window. I'm alive and well. I'm living SUCH a wonderful life, running a business, travelling the world with my little family, finding new adventures to tick off my 'Living List'... and still bringing home the clear scans!

I am forever grateful for every day I get to spend on this earth with my babes.

Roisin Pelan