Molly's story: Embracing life with a terminal illness

25 Sep 2024

Molly was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 when she turned 50. After surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy she was given the all clear in 2016. But, after going to her GP for unrelated tests in 2020 she was told the cancer had returned and spread to the bones in her pelvis.

"I found out on the phone when I was out running during lockdown. It was quite a shock and I had a lot of different emotions. You go from feeling fairly normal one day and not really thinking about it to suddenly being in a really bad place. That’s why it’s been so great to have a really good healthcare team around me.

When it got to a point where I was in a lot of pain the doctors put me in touch with Sue Ryder and I was assigned Vicki, a Sue Ryder nurse. I know I can call her if I need anything and sometimes she just listens to me when I need a cry. She has just been so good. I know that Sue Ryder Manorlands is going to be there for me through my whole journey, the good and the bad, which is so reassuring.

Vicki has talked to me about what I want and it means I have been able to put things in place. I know with Sue Ryder I will have an ongoing need for their help and I know that when it comes to it I would like to go to the hospice.

While I’m here I’m going to try and do as many things as I can. I’ve put together a list of things I want to achieve. I had always wanted to plant a tree so my friend arranged for me to plant a beautiful oak tree – called Cedric – in the woods. Another friend organised for me to have a zookeeper experience for a day at South Lakes Zoo in Cumbria and I got to see the white rhino which was just lovely.

One of my doctors told me to embrace each day and don’t try to look too far forward so I try to follow that advice. And that’s where Sue Ryder has been so reassuring."