Leukaemia CARE’s patient and carer stories are always inspirational. We catch up with four of our interviewees to find out how their lives have changed since we last spoke to them

Lynda Watt: diagnosed with hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2004, interviewed in Autumn 2009

“I feel 100% more positive now.” says Lynda. “Having hodgkin’s made me reassess everything about my life.”

After her diagnosis, Lynda discovered a love for the outdoor life. She goes biking, has undertaken the 190 miles St Bees to Robin Hood Bay coast to coast walk, has taken up skiing and intends to run in the London Marathon next year alongside her two brothers. “I think they’re coming with me to make sure I get over the finishing line – even if it means carrying me,” she jokes.

Lynda also believes that her diagnosis has given her a better understanding of how to help the patients she looks after in her job as care manager. “I feel that I’m much more empathetic now,” she explains.

Lynda’s empathy has reached out to help children affected by the Chernobyl disaster of April 1986. “I decided to have two children, aged eight and nine over from the Ukraine to stay with me this year. It was absolute mayhem,” she laughs, “but one of the best things I’ve ever done.”

Lynda has since paid for the children to come back for another holiday and visited an orphanage in the Ukraine in August. “It was a huge adventure and both heartbreaking and rewarding,” she says. “I’d never have attempted anything like that before I was ill so, I can honestly say, that having hodgkin’s really has changed my life.”

Peter Boraston: diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma in 1999, interviewed in Spring 2008

Once told that he could only expect palliative care, Peter very unexpectedly went into remission following treatment and has made sweeping changes to his life since our last interview.

Peter has retired from the navy, set up his own company, returned to visit the Falklands where he was once based during his naval career and has accompanied a diving expedition to Cornwall. “After my trip to the Falklands I felt so well. Lots of exercise and fresh, clean air worked wonders. The fact that I could do some of the things I did eight years ago was a great morale boost.

“I obviously lost a lot of weight and strength when I was ill so I’m now working at building muscle bulk and putting on weight,” he explains.

Looking forwards Peter, a huge fan and supporter of Leukaemia CARE, hopes to continue to work with the charity and also get involved with NICE panels. “I’ve sat on one patient panel which was really interesting – working with NICE would be the next step and help me to give something back,” he adds.

Bev Fox: carer for two husbands who died of cancer, interviewed in Spring 2008

Bev’s last interview focused on how she had managed to get her life back on track after caring for and losing two husbands to cancer. Last year she suffered a stroke which, she says, made her reassess her life.

“I’ve made a complete recovery but it really made me think about my future,” explains Bev. “I’ve always wanted to be a counseller so I decided that it was time to get on with training to be one.” Bev is now on level three of a counselling course at her local college and will start a two-year diploma next year.

Bev also married Geoff earlier this year. “I got married again on 24th April in Llandudno which was just fantastic,” she recalls. “Two friends run a hotel and organised the reception for us – we took our guests there in a vintage double decker bus.”

Bev became involved with Leukaemia CARE when her second husband became ill with leukaemia. And although her stroke interrupted her valuable work on Leukaemia CARE’s CARE Line she is about to start volunteering again. In fact, there must be something in the genes as her elder son, Guy, is also an ardent supporter of Leukaemia CARE, raising sponsorship money through running for the charity and taking part in a sky dive.

“My two sons, A-Level results permitting, will be going university in September and my daughter will start a performing arts course. So this year will see even more changes for all of us,” says Bev.