I write this article with a certain amount of trepidation and a great deal of gratitude. The trepidation comes from publicly putting down in words for the first time the devastating lows and the ecstatic highs my family and I have experienced during the last twelve months as a consequence of my diagnosis and treatment for cancer.

. The gratitude is as a consequence of the support both physical and practical, the love, tenderness, generosity of spirit and unswerving tolerance and understanding that have been extended to me by family, friends, colleagues and customers and the hugely talented medical team at the CHU (university hospital) in Limoges, under the direction of Professeur Tubiana Mathieu (Oncology) and Professeur Aubard (Gynaecology) that cared for me and gave me back the capability to be strong again.

I hope that by relating the story of my past year others who may find themselves, or a loved one in a similar situation will take heart and strength from it. This is the story of my experiences of the French health system which, in my case, operated efficiently and effectively. I hope and trust that the same system is giving the same care and dedication to anyone out there who needs it at this moment( to those of you who do - keep strong, keep positive and trust the system - it works, ask questions - they will answer them) or will do to those of us who will rely upon it in the future.

I was diagnosed in October 2007 initially with cancer of the uterus but after extensive examinations, numerous scans of varying lengths with confusing acronyms like IRM and PET, blood tests and an operation to remove ganglions from my neck, advanced secondary cancers were identified in the left-hand side of my body at the beginning of November.

My treatment began in early December when I was admitted to CHU Oncology dept for my first 3 day session of Chemotherapy. It is said, although in quite a different context 'You never forget your first' I will never forget the name of the nurse who introduced me into and guided me through this bewildering, frightening world that was to become a major part of my life during the next six months; Veronique; I thank my lucky stars she was the one who was to be my mentor.

She made me feel calm, safe completely reassured and positive and she took away my fear by explaining each and every stage and possible side effects in clear simple French . She answered all my questions with complete honesty and kept me supplied with hot chocolate, cheerful optimism and, on occasion, a box of tissues. On my subsequent visits for treatment, all of which required a 3 day stay in hospital, I was cared for by many other nurses who all displayed the same sensitivity and patience as the wonderful Veronique and for that I am eternally grateful. The department also employed a beautician who, free of charge, would gently massage away tension and anxiety, administer reflexology , give a Indian head massage or a relaxing and revitalising facial.

After my 3 day stay in hospital (daily chemo plus a continuous 5 day intravenous canister of chemo, in what I can only describe as a bum bag and belt which I affectionately called Chemo Kev) I came home but still had Chemo Kev attached and had to take anti sickness drugs for five days. The district nurse came to the house at an exact appointed time to disconnect me and give me two weeks of freedom before I had my next session in hospital.

In January I had repeat scans and was over the moon to be told all the secondary cancers had been successfully zapped and had disappeared. The primary cancer had shrunk to such a size that I was now ready for stage two of my treatment - Radiotherapy and joy of joys I could start having my chemo at the day hospital - in at 9 and home for tea!