Perched on the edge of the hospital bed, I studied the consultant’s eyes, trying to predict what she was poised to tell me. ‘I’m so sorry, Sharon, but I’d estimate about six months,’ she said.
I felt my body deflate as I crumpled to the floor. A nurse wrapped me in her arms and helped me back onto the bed, trying to find the right words to reassure me. But how could I be reassured at this point?
It was December 2015, and the doctors had just told me there was nothing more they could do. The chemotherapy that was treating multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer, was making me so weak, and my heart was too damaged to have more treatment. I was dying.
Later, a doctor broke the news to my husband Danny, then 54, so I didn’t have to endure the agony of seeing his face. As always, just as strong as he’d been over the two months since my diagnosis, he’dheld it together.
He let me cry into his arms as we decided not to tell our kids. We wanted one last, happy Christmas, without any sorrow.
Between us, Danny and I had six kids. There were my sons Joshua, then 24, and Zachary, 18, and my daughter Jess, 17, from a previous relationship. Then there were Danny’s three – Christian, then 16, Tianna, 12, and Marcus, 11.
We’d been together since 2009 and had married in July 2014. Back then, we thought we had a long future ahead of us. I worked in accounts alongside helping Danny run businesses, including a bakery and restaurant. In our spare time, we enjoyed long walks and bike rides.
But, after our wedding, I became increasingly exhausted. As the months went by, I began to get breathless when I walked up the stairs, and suffered with random heart palpitations.
‘I do spin classes every week,’ I told the doctor. ‘This isn’t right.’ But my symptoms were initially dismissed as stress and anxiety.
Esta historia es de la edición December 28, 2020 de WOMAN'S OWN.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición December 28, 2020 de WOMAN'S OWN.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
'SEEING MY NAME ON TV IS SURREAL'
Loose Women newbie Olivia Attwood Dack on joining the hit show, marriage and career goals
THE MISSING PIECE
My earliest memory of my older sister Priya wasn’t one where she was present, but rather, the realisation of her absence.
WEEKNIGHT WINNERS
Rustle up these tasty family dinners with just five easy ingredients
SMILING THROUGH CANCER
Like most mums, when my kids are upset I’ll do almost anything to turn their frowns upside down, whether it’s making Max, 11, his favourite chocolate cake or putting on silly voices for Georgia, eight, when she’s had a bad day at school.
BRAVERY AMIDST SUCH HORROR
The Woman's Own columnist has her say on dinner time, posh grub and wet summers
RELAX & RESET
For farm-to-table food and a game-changing spa, head for the dramatic Dolomites
HELP! I'M TURNING INTO MY MUM
As the years pass, Heather Main, 39, realises she’s inheriting more and more of her mother’s traits
I WAS MISTAKEN FOR MY HUSBAND'S MISTRESS!
When Gemma Loveden, 38, lost l6st, a family member was convinced she was someone else...
Denise confesses I'MA MORNING SEX PERSON'
Never one to mince her words, Denise Welch is much-loved by fans for her refreshing honesty.
Cat & Ben SNUBBED!
Are the This Morning hosts feeling disgruntled after missing out on an NTA nomination in favour of Alison?