'In March 2000 I was first diagnosed with T cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. I saw it as a battle: I was 35 years old and not about to give in. I underwent 8 months of chemotherapy, survived that, even managed to keep working part time, and on 28 December 2000 finished my treatment.

'All was well until 2004. It started with an annoying cough. Then the weight started to fall off and I lost my appetite. By the end of June 2004, it was confirmed: the lymphoma had come back. I was admitted to hospital on 4 July for chemotherapy. Losing my hair again was a pain: I'd only just grown it back! I had an autologous stem cell transplant in September 2004, and the rest of the month saw me in an isolation room, as obviously I had immunosuppression. All the staff were great and, although it was tough going, I never lost sight of the fact that I was strong enough to beat this and see my daughter grow up.

'I left hospital at the end of September, ahead of schedule, as I had my brother's wedding to attend. I'm still here, still smiling, still laughing, still living life to the full (energy levels permitting) and watching my daughter grow into a beautiful young woman.

'It is such a pity that it takes something as drastic as this to make you appreciate what's important in life. I have had to endure the lesson twice and have certainly learnt it now! To everyone with this disease, a positive attitude is so important. This is a disease that does not belong in our bodies: it has to go. See the chemo as the marines going in on a search and destroy mission (some of the good guys [white cells, for example] get killed in the cross fire, alas) and believe that you can make it. I have had 5 years more than most expected, had untold hairstyles! and now appreciate life for what it is: magnificent!'