Hannah and Charlie's story – our way to live with cancer is with brilliant support

Hannah: It was meeting Charlie that made me move to London. We were engaged, with plans to get married, but then lockdown hit. Not long after, I started to get my symptoms. 

Charlie: It moved very quickly, and Hannah ended up in A&E. Every-time we had a phone-call, the news just got worse and worse. 

Hannah: It went from being cancer, to being inoperable, to not being able to be cured quite quickly. And the chemotherapy was certainly a shock.

We were very lucky in that our friends told us to call Maggie’s early on. Our support started at that point, but my head was still catching up with the diagnosis – stage four bowel cancer.  

Support from Maggie’s

Charlie: They were brilliant. That psychological support they gave Hannah was a lifeline. 

Hannah: The biggest problem I’ve had is the fear. I was traumatized, it was very scary, and I became very anxious. 

Charlie: You could tell when she’s been on call with them because afterwards she’ll be like a different person.  

Hannah: A diagnosis is like a pebble in a pond, the effect it had on me was huge. But Maggie’s helped me to start to take back some control. 

Charlie: Speaking to counsellors or psychologists is not something I’d done before, I’ve always dealt with stuff by myself. But I started to realise that I needed some support too. I felt so low, and full of doubt. Maggie’s got me out of that downward spiral. 

Getting married 

Hannah: The past year has been one of many different emotions and experiences. We entered a world we knew very little about, and now feel like experts in. 

Charlie: It’s felt like I’ve learned how to find some stability and calm in and amongst what is a mad, mad, mad storm. Coming to terms with how difficult our life will be was not necessarily an easy thing – it definitely takes some adaptation.

I couldn’t have gone clubbing forever, but it would have been nice to have been able to choose when it stopped.

Hannah: A year on, we were really lucky to get to go away, get married and celebrate together. Spending time with friends and family, and going on our honeymoon, felt absolutely joyous.

I’m in a different place now. It doesn’t mean it’s not scary, but it’s a different place to what it was. 

Charlie: It makes you realise that, no matter had bad things are there is still some sort of hope and you can still have a life.

Hannah: There’s times now when I sit with Charlie, we might be in the garden having a drink, or there are times when I’m with family, and I just think I’m happy.

At the time of diagnosis, I didn’t think I’d ever feel like that again. 

We're here for you

If you or someone you love has cancer, we are here with you.

Come and see us at your nearest Maggie’s, call us on 0300 123 180 or email us at enquiries@maggies.org.