Patient Case Studies

Margaret Goodfellow

Being diagnosed with cancer was the worst thing that could have happened. But, twelve and a half years later I am still here to tell the tale. I have lasting memories of what happened because I have a prosthesis and have to wear a compression sleeve when doing anything strenuous due to having lymphoedemia in my right arm. In saying that neither of these things stop me doing anything. I was at the Falkirk Wheel to help at the abseil recently and when I got the chance I completed the abseil myself.....not bad for a first timer. Cancer has affected my family's life as well as I lost my mother to breast cancer and my father to liver cancer. This is why I am more aware of the lumps and bumps that make up me and get things checked if something doesn't seem 'normal'. I am living proof that if you know your body and get unusual things checked then the result can often be a positive one and any treatment can be less invasive.

My diagnosis and treatment were handled really well at the Western Infirmary. In saying that, April to the December of 1997 were the longest months of my life. I would have been lost without the help and support of friends and family as well as colleagues. I continued to work during that time as I am not the type to just sit at home. My chemotherapy was at the Beatson when it was still at the Western. It wasn't pleasant and I was very pleased when it was over.