World Cancer Day

Today is World Cancer day. Whether it’s you, a friend, family member or someone you’ve heard about, we’re all touched by this disease in one way or another.

Some of you may already know my story, but to provide hope to those who need it most, I must keep sharing.
Lets rewind to 2014…

It was Friday 14th of November, 6pm to be precise. I’d rushed over to The London Clinic Hospital from Uber, where I was working as a Marketing Manager. I was thriving, happy and especially excited to be part of something that was making a serious stir around the globe. Having also just returned from the USA, with that extra boost of vitamin ‘sea’ and D, I had a spring in my step!

Sat in the consultancy room with Hematologist Dr Mike Potter for the first time, I waited anxiously for my parents to show…some things never change🤦🏽‍♀️. And in the meantime, I proudly boasted about my immaculate health record and, despite the ‘winter’ cough I had been dealing with, which I was sure I’d caught from the germ-infested airplane on route back home, how I’d been feeling healthier than ever!

Having discovered a lump in my breast a few weeks prior whilst in Miami, and been reassured it didn’t look ‘sinister’, several tests followed, and scans not only confirmed the lump in my breast was in fact a tumor but unmasked something even uglier. An even larger tumor in my chest, causing severe pressure on the blood pumping to my heart. Gasp! Remaining ultra-positive and hopeful, I never imagined I’d hear the words that came out of his mouth next… “This is very serious Natasha. You’re extremely sick, your life is going to change drastically, and you’ll need to start treatment, tonight!”

Without even a second to process the news I was on a hospital bed, being pricked & prodded like a cushion-pin.
At this stage no one had dared mention that horrid word, the one that causes fear, doesn’t matter who you are…
And the results were in; Cancer of the blood, bloody HELL!

Upon hearing the ‘C’ word, I was adamant I was a ‘goner’ and my only wish was to exit feeling happy, at peace and in ‘style’😂 with my family and friends by my side. That’s all! Actually, I also craved one last dinner at my family home, it was a Friday night after all, “what difference would 12 hours make?” Despite the look on Dr Potter’s face, I wasn’t in the mood to back down and nor was he! And that was the start of a special bond between Dr Potter and I. He was truly dignified and straight-up, no bullshit. I instantly felt he was someone I could trust. Then and there I handed my life over and he never let me down! 🙏🏻🙌🏻

Two and a half years of chemo and in the midst of that, a reactive depression (aswell as PTSD), it was all too much! I lost complete sight of who I was, stars had vanished, and I didn’t wish to exist in this state of shear darkness anymore.✨

Five years on, zoomed out far enough from the trauma, I cherish the innumerable things that I learned and now live by daily, and I want to share them with you…

However dark your ‘trial’ may seem, your challenge amounts to be the greatest gift. A blessing to help shape your growth, propel you upwards, and bring you closer to your soul’s purpose! I am forever grateful to G-d for granting me a second chance at life. Not everyone gets that chance. For those mid-fight, please keep fighting! I know it’s a lonely, dark and often debilitating road, but there’s an abundance of light waiting for you, and it will be worth it in the end, I promise. ✨🙏🏻💛

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