Hi everyone my name is Claire Quinn, I'm 31 (32 on the 9th June) and I am from a lovely city called Derry in Northern Ireland. So before I was diagnosed with cancer I was your regular 30 something, worked hard and enjoyed my social life (although through COVID it was zooms I enjoyed), loved trips with my husband and taking my little Shih tzu Daisy for walks. I worked as a Facilitator for disabilities teaching life skills and helping to run a disability youth club, I worked 12 hr days but I loved my work, the young people were like my kids especially as I've been working there for nearly 11 yrs. Before I was diagnosed with cancer I also had a lockdown wedding on 24th April 2021 it was the best day ever and we had it at my parents house in their back garden and honestly it was just perfect with 12 of our nearest and dearest.

My journey with cancer started on the day I was diagnosed July 16th 2021 although I had been going back and forth to the Dr's for blood tests but only high levels of inflammation was showing up. I had also been having severe sweats and really itchy skin to the point my full legs where covered in bruises, this was going on since before my wedding but i put it down to wedding stress. On one of those days I was in with the nurse I had told her I found a lump under my arm but it disappeared, she referred me to the GP just because I was a women and the area it was in. The GP examined me and found some swelling on my left breast and under my arm so he decided to refer me to the breast clinic for a further examination although he wasn't too worried, so I put it to the back of my head until the day of my appointment. On July 7th I was in for my appointment thinking I was just getting checked over and and a mammogram. My mammogram came back clear but when I was given an ultrasound under my arm they found reactive lymphnods and I had to get a biopsy. Fast forward nearly 10 days later I was called in for my results and because of COVID I was on my own, to be honest I still wasn't thinking about cancer. I was told that morning that they believed I had Hogdkin’s Lymphoma but I needed to do surgery to determine the stage I was at and how they would treat it. By 4pm that evening I was given my surgery date the 27th July and referred to the hematology department as I would be under their care from now on. A few days after my surgery I was brought into my consultant and told I had stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma and it was in my neck, chest, armpits, pelvis and bone marrow. I would go through an intense chemotherapy regime of 6 months. This was all happening so fast my emotions was everywhere, once I was told stage 4 my automatic reaction was terminal until it was explained to me better. I was scared, sad, angry and in a massive state of shock thank god my husband was there with me as I don't know how I couldn't have taken it all in without him. This was told to me on the Friday and they wanted me to start my chemotherapy on Monday.

The first treatment was so daunting and especially as I had to do it on my own due to COVID but the nurses over in the cancer center are angel's and couldn't have done enough to put me at ease. I was given my first and second treatment through IV but unfortunately my veins were not playing ball and I had to get the PICC line inserted (that's another story) but it was the best thing I got as everything was made so much easier for example bloods and treatment. My chemotherapy was called ABVD so I had 4 types of chemo in the one treatment and I got this every 2 weeks for 6 months. My first treatment I felt went well bar some mouth sores and a bit of tiredness but as the weeks continued the stronger the side effects got but you do come through it.

I have been told I am in remission from 28th February 2022, I got to ring (and break ) the bell and it was the most surreal feeling it just couldn't sink in but it has now and I'm so grateful for my treatment. I still have to take medication as I'm immune suppressed but I can manage a few tablets if it means no more chemotherapy and helps me fight infection.

As far as support I was so lucky to have my family, my wonderful husband and my close group of friends who helped me in so many ways. They checked in with me every day, brought me some self care packages and takeaway coffees. My husband used to take me out in the car to the beach so I could hear the sea it always made me feel better. Honestly everyone who was there for me couldn't have done enough for me. Now after my treatment I go to a local support group with other women who have gone through cancer or are currently going through it and its so nice to be with people who are in the same situation as you.

I wish I had of known the proper side effects of chemotherapy, maybe a few tips on how to deal with them such as hard sweets to suck on to help with mouth sores. I also wish that I knew my body would change with weight and surgery and how to learn to live with it. Thankfully through my support groups this has really helped me. I don't think the mental side of chemotherapy and cancer are spoken about and I think this would be really helpful to patient's and carers. As we know it's such a tough rough ride.

As for side effects they aren't nice to get but the main ones for me was the change in my taste, neuropathy and fatigue. There is certain things I still can't do due to my neuropathy and the fatigue is on a different level, that has got a bit better but I still struggle to get up early and small tasks tire me out. But I always say life is for living and enjoying so I will take the fatigue and deal with it.

To help with the side effects I always say rest, this is the best for you and your body knows when it needs to. No-one is expecting you to do much so take that much needed rest time. As for the change in my taste that was awful and all food was bland but I would have juiced every morning this meant I was getting the nutrients I needed even if I couldn't eat or taste. Try to pamper yourself I was fortunate enough to get reflexology throughout my chemotherapy and it really helped to aid digestion and also bring some peace, reflexology also helped with my sleep.

I am now more careful with what I put on my skin so I would use Aveeno moisturizer and Wild deodorant as they are free from paraben's and any other nasties. I'm also open to any recommendations. I lost my hair due to chemo and I use a product called grow gorgeous serum- it smells amazing, soothes the skin on my head and helps with hair growth.

My advise to anyone who is on this journey is be kind to yourself remember you are number one and everything else can wait. Spend quality time with loved ones, go for that long overdue coffee. Plan a trip even an overnight this really helped me to look forward, I've actually done this myself and finally booked my honeymoon for October. Try to be grateful and enjoy the little things in life.

I have an Instagram page @facingcancerwithasmile and I would chat about my journey on here and if anyone wants to reach out feel free to do so, I would love that.

Thank you all for reading my story, I hope it helps in any way.