Friends and Family

Before my mother died, she told me that my godparents would support me if I was alone. At the time, it didn't seem that I would be alone, but, as it turned out, I am. And my mother was right. My godparents and their family have been fantastic; I don't know how I'd have survived without them.

Why am I telling you this? Because, yet again, my godmother has called me to say she'll go to the hospital with me for my check up appointment. Having been by myself when I had my diagnosis and throughout my radiotherapy treatment, this offer means a lot to me. Sitting in waiting rooms, it's good to have someone to talk to, especially when you're nervous. I'd had friends with me on a couple of occasions during the lead-up to diagnosis and fantastic support when I had to have surgery, both before and after, but, unluckily, nobody was there to talk to me when I got the news that I had cancer or on my daily trips to the hospital radiotherapy centre.

If you have a friend or relative who has nobody else, or who you know won't ask for help, offer to go with them if they have to go to a hospital appointment, whether for tests, results, treatment or check-up. Just because they don't ask, it doesn't mean that they wouldn't like you to be there; indeed, they might be longing for someone to make the offer - they probably are hoping someone will suggest coming with them, but don't like to ask for fear of causing embarrassment or concern. So, don't wait for the request - make a pre-emptive strike and volunteer to go with them; after all, you might need someone to accompany you one day... Better still, if you ever should have to be treated for cancer yourself, having already been to the treatment centre and seen what happens, you'll feel more confident about your own treatment.