Finding the strength within

I used to get told how brave I was or I strong I was when I was ill.

I never used to feel very strong or brave just scared, alone and most days quite sad.

But looking back I think I was stronger than I ever probably thought I would be - I had this inner strength that I had never had to utilise before so until I had cancer never knew it was there.

I also think I shut a big part of myself down just to get through.

I think it is those around us that do our grieving and cry tears for us while those of us affected by some illness or tragedy keep our heads down and get through it the best way we can and hopefully make it out the other side not too badly bumped or bruised just slightly frayed around the edges ready to take on life again.

This photo was taken in the last few months of my treatment – I was tired, ill and probably at my lowest point of that year and not feeling very strong at all. (Image taken by Ali Shipard)