“Sometimes you don’t realise that such kindness still exists until you start a journey such as this.”

Diane from Edinburgh, an avid Scotland football fan, was looking forward to traveling to Germany to watch the Euros 2024. She was also due to celebrate a key birthday, her 60th, when all plans had to be put on hold after she was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer earlier this year.

In fact, Diane only discovered the cancer when she got a piece of food stuck in her throat and went for an endoscopy to have it removed. It was at that point that the tumour was detected.

Now, after four courses of chemotherapy, an operation to remove the tumour is scheduled to take place this summer and Diane is already planning on making up for lost time. Diane and her husband are currently looking to book a special holiday for 2025 – turning 60 for the second time!

As someone who enjoys wearing makeup, Diane was keen to sign up to a workshop and find out how chemotherapy might impact her skin. After attending a skincare and makeup workshop, she explained what it meant for her:

“It was a lovely afternoon and I came away feeling a million dollars, not just because of the workshop, but because it was my first experience (apart from in chemotherapy) of spending time with others on the same journey as me.

“I’d like to pass my grateful thanks onto Tess and Susan who ran our course, all the others behind the scenes who make these things happen and the companies who support the workshops for their generosity in supporting them with the lovely goodie bags.

“Sometimes you don’t realise that such kindness still exists until you start a journey such as this. I think the two ladies were excellent not only in their subject but that they let those attending talk about their own experiences along the road and were genuinely interested in all our experiences.”

Thank you, Diane, and we hope you enjoy a wonderful belated 60th birthday celebration next year!