Having cancer is horrendous but i’ve also made some friends for life
WOMAN SPEAKS OF SUPPORT SHE RECEIVED FROM HER COLLEAGUES
LAURA Turnbull was working in a dream job at a veterinary practice in India when she discovered her cancer had returned.
The veterinary nurse, who was first diagnosed with breast cancer during her studies four years earlier, had to fly home to Huddersfield immediately.
During her year-and-a-half at the practice, near Mumbai, Laura had fallen in love with a stray named Toby.
So she was very sad to leave her beloved pet in India after discovering she had incurable secondary cancer.
But her colleagues at Vets4Pets, Sarah Nicholson and Sheli Dobbie, raised enough money to fly the rescue dog to the UK.
And it wasn’t the first time a colleague had helped Laura through a difficult time.
Laura was just 27 and in the middle of her studies to qualify as a veterinary nurse when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
While her college suggested she take time out Laura was determined to finish her studies – and so was her colleague and clinical coach Sarah.
Sarah, who had only known Laura a short time, put in extra hours to help Laura throughout her treatment which involved chemotherapy, radiotherapy and a mastectomy.
She would help Laura with assignments during chemotherapy enabling
Laura to achieve the highest mark in her class.
After such support Laura, Sarah and Sheli are friends for life.
Laura, 31, from Shelley, said: “Although cancer has been horrendous, it’s brought a lot of good into my life. I didn’t realise people would be as good as they have been. Here are two people who I wasn’t originally that close to who are now my best friends.”
While her cancer is incurable it is also treatable and Laura is back working at her practice in Leeds.
She added: “It was support I never expected. Without them, I wouldn’t have got my qualification that took me to India, the country I fell in love with and wouldn’t have brought me my dog Toby.”
Sarah said: “Hopefully it will help people by showing them how to support their friends. Stay positive – that’s what we always say.
You need a good support network to get through these things.”
Laura’s story is one of the true stories of 11 women affected by breast cancer publicised by Marks & Spencer and charity Breast Cancer Now for Breast Cancer Awareness Month which runs until October 31.
Each woman received invaluable support, sometimes from unexpected quarters.
Delyth Morgan, chief executive of Breast Cancer Now, said: “The stories of these 11 women remind us that whilst this devastating disease is impacting the lives of so many women, men and their families every day, it is the support of those around you that can make a real difference.
“From reaching out to a loved one, to buying a product from the M&S range to help raise vital funds, together we can make a real difference to the lives of all those affected by breast cancer, now and in the future.”
M&S is donating 25% from selected sleepwear products to helpfund breast cancer research. 16
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