My biggest fear was how big was the tumour? Why hadn’t I had any symptoms?
45 stories for 45 years. Throughout 2026, we’re sharing the stories of our clients, volunteers and staff who make the Wessex Cancer Support community what it is.
Through our community’s lived experience of cancer, we can provide our clients with the tailored support they need.
For this edition, our client, Tecla, shares her story and experience.
I’d missed a routine smear test so went to my GP to ask about it. They couldn’t find my name but I insisted I was due. It turned out the paperwork had gone to my old address. After the test, I had a notification online at two days’ notice to go to the Princess Anne Hospital for a biopsy.
During the procedure, the surgeon told me to prepare myself; he thought there was ‘something’ there so he used a camera to check.
When the appointment came through to get the results, I asked my landlady to come in with me because I was scared. But I felt I knew even before I was told.
The moment I actually got the diagnosis, the most challenging thing was that I was a single mum so I knew I had no one to support me. I’d come to the UK to work but I knew I would be affected by treatment so I was imagining the worst – bills, not working, no support; it was terrible.
My biggest fear was how big was the tumour? Why hadn’t I had any symptoms?
Fortunately, the consultant confirmed that they didn’t think it had spread so we talked about my treatment options.
It all happened really quickly; from diagnosis to first treatment was August to September. I had prepared myself and but hadn’t even told my colleagues, my way of managing it. I was worried about what would happen with work, how my son would take it, if I’d lose my hair with chemo.
It was a scary time.
The most positive thing was that I had caught it early and was quick to treatment. I had support from Macmillan and Maggies, and so many Doctors were they to support me. I told myself I was lucky to be here in the UK with the NHS, rather than in my home country; it would have been difficult even to get to the MRI scan, never mind to surgery. I was grateful it happened so quickly.
I came across Wessex Cancer Support later than when I really needed them!
I was talking to a friend from church who said I should talk to her friend Wendy who had lost her husband due to cancer. She brought me to Wessex as she knew they would offer what I needed; although I had finished the cancer treatment, I had developed lymphoedema and I was really down.
I was so scared to talk about it but Wessex Cancer Support have given me so much. I am in a much better place mentally. When you have cancer, it probably won’t be painful; what suffers most is your mental health. The pain comes when people make decisions for you but Wessex reminds you that you are OK to make your own decisions.
And I love the activities that my Wessex Cancer Support Centre organise.
I love to walk, for example. Love the coffees in Centre; I love singing and have joined a choir. Mentally, I think I scored about 2/10 but I think I’m now 9/10; I’m doing so much better!
I would like to share my story and say to anyone who reads this: a cancer diagnosis is not the end of the world, it doesn’t mean you will die, you can still continue to have a life. It’s not an easy road, there will be a lot of appointments, a lot of medication, perhaps a change of diet or something else, but follow the medical advice you are given and stay positive. Do the things you really enjoy doing when you can.
To family and friends of people with cancer, we’re not OK just because the tumour has been removed. Cancer comes in stages and it’s the mental part that’s easy to miss when it comes to support. Wessex Cancer Support have people who are trained to offer this sort of support.
I made a friend during radiotherapy – she was 81 but our treatments were often at the same time – and it was really good to talk.
If you speak about, it becomes lighter; I’m writing a book to help share my feelings and express what I went through. Sharing with others, encouraging others can help make somebody else better.
I came to the UK as a carer and had worked with people with cancer before. But now I’ve changed how I work because I understand what they are going through, from my own lived experience. I think I would be a better person to support someone through chemotherapy because I know that your hair will grow back – but I might tell them “Cut off your dreadlocks and keep them somewhere safe!”
Our community provides a safe, supportive space for people affected by cancer. Through our emotional and wellbeing services, we provide the support to our communities in Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
We’ve been here for you since 1981.
You can call or email your local cancer support centre today, or drop in to speak to our friendly team.
And if you would like to learn more about volunteering and becoming part of #TeamWessex, you can find out more and apply here.
