Anyone could be forgiven for being floored by the devastating news these women faced. Yet they have emerged from the storm stronger than ever...
‘I was told I had a week to live’
NICOLA POOLE, 50, is a specialist family lawyer and managing director of law firm Hedges Law. She lives in Oxford with her husband, Wayne, and four teenagers.
I was nearly 40 when I started losing weight and experiencing night sweats. I’d wake up wringing wet, as if somebody had poured a bucket of water over me. I had a blood test, but was so busy with two boys under two, I didn’t think any more of it.
Then my GP rang saying, “You need to go to hospital now and pack an overnight bag.”
It turned out my blood count was on the floor. At first the doctors thought it was leukaemia, then lymphoma. They tested for TB, Lyme disease, Weil’s disease and AIDS, but couldn’t find the cause.
My symptoms continued to get worse. I had a fever and shook so hard that my teeth rattled. I felt sick and my weight dropped to below 6st.
On New Year’s Eve, it was my son’s first birthday. I didn’t smell or look like Mummy and he was clawing to get away from me. It broke my heart.
After 10 weeks, I was transferred to a cancer ward and told I had a week to live. It was crucifying thinking about leaving my children.
I cried and cried, but eventually I had to accept I wasn’t going to make it, and felt absolute calm.
The doctors decided to start chemotherapy the following day. Late that night, the door opened and two consultants came running in saying, “We have amazing news! You don’t have cancer, you have Leishmaniasis disease. It’s a potentially fatal but treatable disease caused by a parasite.”
I couldn’t take it in. It turned out I’d contracted it from a sandfly bite on holiday in Greece.
When it sank in that I wasn’t going to die, it was as if someone had removed a steel band from around my chest. The relief was indescribable.
This story is from the July 2019 edition of Woman & Home.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 2019 edition of Woman & Home.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
15 Ways to Improve Your Memory - Make yours fault-proof with these easy lifestyle tricks
Hunting for your reading glasses only to realise they’re already on your head is frustrating, and we’ve all marched purposefully from one room to another – instantly forgetting why we’re there. Maybe you’re forever losing your keys or get embarrassed when you can’t remember people’s names? Memory lapse is common with age – decline can start from as early as 45 years*, while almost 40%** of people over 65 will notice some form of forgetfulness.
How Healthy is Your Gut? - This month, our fitness expert Annie Deadman on discovering what's really going on inside your body and how to keep it in the peak of condition
The microbiome will be host to both good and harmful bacteria, and the swing in favour of one or the other can influence whether or not you fall victim to conditions such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, coeliac disease and other inflammatory disorders or hormonal issues. These include polycystic ovary syndrome and high cholesterol, as well as what we might consider more common ailments like digestive issues, mood swings, constipation, migraines and general lethargy. The power that a healthy gut can wield over our wellbeing is enormous. And just like no two fingerprints are the same, no two microbiomes are the same.
Cancer Was Just a Job Until it Happened to Me - Author, speaker and health content creator Dr Liz O'Riordan shares her journey from consultant breast surgeon to cancer patient
Working as a consultant breast surgeon, it was my responsibility to tell around 10 women a week that they had cancer. It was an emotionally intense job and could feel like you’re being paid to break women. As a clinician, you have to develop a sense of detachment, otherwise you’ll crumble, but this wasn’t always easy. Sometimes, particularly after seeing young women, I’d cry in the toilets. There’s no counselling and very little training for breaking bad news. It’s just part of the job – until it happens to you.
I Look Forward to Being a Very Elderly, Eccentric Woman' - Comedian and podcaster Katherine Ryan, 41, lives in London with her three children and partner Bobby Kootstra
Comedian and podcaster Katherine Ryan, 41, lives in London with her three children and partner Bobby Kootstra+ Katherine Ryan's tour Battleaxe is coming to venues across the UK from September. Book now at livenation.co.uk
'My Marriage is Definitely Not Over!' - As she approaches her 10th year on television, Nadiya Hussain opens up about racist threats to her life, her untapped dream of becoming a teacher and why rumours of marital demise are rubbish
Nadiya Hussain cover shoots bring sunshine – meteorologically and metaphorically. It’s a scorching June day in north London when we gather to celebrate the publication of her ninth cookbook, Cook Once, Eat Twice. As the title suggests, she’s helping the nation save time and pennies through meal-stretching recipes that savvily spin leftovers.And sweetly, it was the celebrity cook and author’s eldest son Musa’s plans to leave the family home in Milton Keynes to go off to university that inspired it.‘As soon as he started to talk about uni, I thought, “This will be the book that he’ll want to take with him to help him be more mindful of how he cooks, how he eats, how he saves, how to be frugal and how to use up leftovers – how to be smart in the kitchen,”’ explains Nadiya, 39, adding that the previous night her trusty sardine arrabbiata sparked an outpouring of gratitude from her firstborn.
A New Normal - The Princess of Wales is looking to the future, putting family first and ditching her to-do list
The Princess of Wales has always felt the pressure. Marrying into the most famous family in the world has been far from easy, but capable Catherine seemed to take it in her stride.Though the glamorous carapace, whether decked in Alexander McQueen or Zara, has hidden a more anxious young woman who didn't want to put a foot wrong. This past year has arguably been the toughest of Catherine's life - dealing with major abdominal surgery followed by a cancer diagnosis and treatment. But it has also given her the time to reprioritise and reassess what really matters.
'DON'T CALL ME A HERO'
Seeing the plight of innocent children in Gaza, Dr Ana Jeelani knew her medical skills could save lives – here’s what she experienced
Freewheeling in TUSCANY
A cycling holiday through medieval cities and lush scenery is a great way to absorb culture and get off the beaten track
Nostalgic BAKES
Unlock childhood memories with these fun sweet treats
Lighter DINNERS
Big on flavour and easy on the calories
