Hello, my name is Lauren and I am 35 years old from Preston. I am a Primary school Teacher and was working overseas when I was diagnosed with cervical cancer.
I was living and teaching in Armenia at the time. Â I left my job, my apartment, packed up my life and moved back home to the UK in the space of five days.
I was referred straight to hospital for scans to be repeated and to confirm I had cancer. By the time I was diagnosed by The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre I had Stage 3C1 cervical cancer.
The moment I found out I had cancer; my entire body went numb. I had prepared myself for the worst-case scenario, but when the time comes you are never prepared. I was shocked, scared, upset, a whole world of emotions crashed over me. My whole world collapsed.
However, the staff at Clatterbridge were amazing. Even during the most difficult times they stayed with me, validated me and went and made me a brew and biscuits, as well as making me laugh. Â There was one particular time that it was difficult to insert a needle for treatment, I was so exhausted and they were just so caring and kept me going.
At the end of my radiotherapy the nurses were there with me when I rang the bell. When I finished my chemotherapy, they celebrated with me when I rang the bell. My treatment happened during COVID so I wasn’t allowed anyone to come in with me to my appointments. I went through everything on my own. Had it not been for the lovely staff in Clatterbridge it would have been so much more difficult.
I chose to take part in the Glow Green Night Walk this year because it is my fifth year in remission and I wanted to raise money for Clatterbridge for all their hard work, as without Clatterbridge I would not be here today. So, thank you for everything you do!
If you want to join our first ever Glow Green walk in Chester then you can.
