"If you can still do it, do it"
Kerry, who lives with secondary progressive MS, talks about her journey with cancer and other health issues over the last year. She also shares exciting news on the upcoming publication of her first book, and her wisdom for others living with MS.
Cancer diagnosis
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2022 and a month later I had a mastectomy.
I've often asked myself “why me?” about my MS. But having cancer as well? I must admit, it made me feel that life can be so unfair. But with time, my attitude changed. I thought that if I’d coped with MS for over 20 years, I could cope with cancer too.
Getting covid
During a visit to the hospital to get a CT scan – to see whether the cancer had spread to any other organs – I found myself fighting for breath in the hospital corridor. I had to ask my husband to stop.
He’d had a bad cold and we decided we should take a COVID test. We both tested positive. We’d managed to avoid it all this time but had finally succumbed.
I admit I was quite frightened. I didn’t know if I’d have extra problems to deal with because of MS.
Bladder infection and hospitalisation
At this point I suspected I'd also started getting the first symptoms of a bladder infection. I recognise the tell-tale signs as I’ve had so many of them. I was right and this one turned out to be the worst one I’ve ever had.
We self-isolated, ready to face whatever COVID had to throw at us. It’s at this point that things start getting a little hazy. I remember my husband told me I was delirious and talking gibberish. He wanted me to go to hospital but I kept refusing. It became obvious, even in the state I was in, that I needed to go to hospital.
The ambulance arrived and I was taken to York District Hospital. The first few days in hospital were a blur. I remember very little about it.
After a couple of days, I started to become my usual lucid self. Sadly, my experience in hospital wasn’t good. I was being given the wrong antibiotics for my bladder infection and they didn't listen to me when I tried to tell them.
Eventually I was able to go home in time for my birthday on 17 December and for Christmas. However, a junior doctor at the hospital had fitted my new catheter incorrectly and it was causing me pain. I had to call the district nurse to come out and change it, waiting until the early hours for her to arrive. Thankfully, I got a prescription for the right medication that morning too and started the tablets straight away.
More positive news
Just before Christmas, a nurse from the breast clinic in York Hospital phoned me to tell me that it was good news – the scan I had earlier in December showed no signs of the cancer spreading to other organs. Fantastic!
At the beginning of January I saw my oncologist, who explained the options for dealing with the cancer. Because I have MS and am permanently in a wheelchair, we decided against radiotherapy. It would be too difficult for me to get on the couch and hold my arm up for any length of time.
I was fortunate (if you can use that word) that the type of cancer I have is oestrogen fed. This meant I didn’t have to have chemotherapy. For that I was grateful. All I have to take is a tiny tablet to reduce oestrogen levels once a day. It could have been much, much worse.
Book publication
Another bit of good news - this time it’s about the book I wrote during lockdown. At last, the book is now in print! I am so proud of myself. Who’d have thought I’d be an author!
My message to all fellow sufferers of MS, and my mantra in life, is “if you can still do it, do it”. If I can deal with all the things that MS throws at me, well I can face cancer too.
Kerry's debut novel "Decisions" is out now.
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