“We all came away feeling really special: it was not about needles, hospitals and cancer, it was about being made to feel good, and being part of a group where everyone understood each other.”

Diane, who lives in Birmingham with her husband and a gorgeous cockapoo called Stella. Diane who was formerly a head teacher for children with learning difficulties, was also one of our beneficiaries who was brave enough to volunteer to take part in the BBC One Show’s documentary about celebrity professional dancer Amy Dowden, who had recently undergone cancer treatment herself. The show was broadcast early in spring 2024 and Diane wholeheartedly enjoyed the experience meeting the team from the BBC.

In 2019, Diane had spotted a lump in her breast, but after a mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy the lump was found to be a cyst.  Unfortunately, the biopsy also revealed that Diane had lobular cancer.

Diane had to decide to retire early due to ill-health.  Now with secondary cancer, she has regular scans and takes medication which does have side effects, including extreme fatigue and nausea. However, Diane continues to grab life by the horns: this spring, she went on a three-week holiday touring across the United States to see friends and relatives.

Diane says: “People with secondary cancer can feel as though they aren’t getting the same support and they have to look harder to find the support available to them.  We can feel a bit isolated.

“I found out about the workshops through a poster at the hospital and was assured that the workshop was open to me, too.  There was a real mix of people attending and everyone was so welcoming.  It was being held in the beautiful surroundings of Fisher House UK, near the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, and being in such a gorgeous setting was so comforting. We all came away feeling really special: it was not about needles, hospitals and cancer, it was about being made to feel good, and being part of a group where everyone understood each other.

“Another advantage was that, like many people who face cancer, my financial situation was affected, so it was lovely to have a treat that I didn’t have to pay for. And, of course, keeping the fabulous products meant you can continue to treat yourself back at home.”

We are delighted that our workshop was a support to Diane and we wish her all the very best for the future.