Mum-of-two Melanie O'Neill was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer seven years ago. 

Here she shares the latest stage of her journey. 

JUST when things were running smoothly (well as smoothly as they could under the circumstances) I was delivered another blow.

Reducing my treatment dosage in December meant my blood was able to recover better after being deferred for treatment too many times.

Although this allowed the cancer to creep back into my skin, it hasn’t gotten any worse or better since then, so it remains on my arm but is stable.

So after celebrating clear scan results and an even healthier heart I was given the news that I couldn’t have the treatment as my neutrophils were far too low and could I come back next week?

I was absolutely gutted as my bloods were still out of sorts on a lower dose and unable to recover.

Confused I asked lots of questions and the nurse told me the doctors would be having a meeting to discuss me the following week to try to work out why this was happening.

I was even more gutted that 3 weeks previous I had invested in making Liposomal Vitamin C after a friend introduced me to it.

It had given me so much more energy and rectified my blood count on the previous visit to Christies for my 3 weekly check-up.

So now my white blood count had dropped I was left utterly confused as I scribbled a list of questions to direct at the doctor on my return.

Just as my disheartened tears dried on my cheeks I realised that again I was worrying about the future.

The what ifs.

Seven years on and I still hadn’t learnt my lesson that anything can happen and what does happen, happens for a reason.

It brought me back to the present moment with a bump as I began to think about how much my life had changed in 7 years and how much I have achieved and the exceptional memories I have made.

Visiting Disney, Lapland, parties, friendships and teaching my kids how to love life with my biggest achievement and most heart-warming memory was performing with them both at the Rainbow Ball in front of 350 guests.

Watch: See Mel's routine by clicking here

Something I can watch over and over again and never get bored as it makes my heart swell with pride considering the many obstacles I overcame, conquering my many fears and proving to myself and others the joy that can be found in life if you search hard enough.

Right there the fretting stopped.

I have too much to enjoy in my life to waste time worrying over the future which is merely an illusion of my thoughts as it hasn’t happened yet.

Refusing to carry the weight of the world on my shoulders I have a dance lesson to go to and a weekend away with friends for the bank holiday to enjoy.

In times of worry I also think things could be a lot worse than they are and I’ve had far worse moments to deal with.

My mantra for this week is “I am a machine, I will get through this. All will be well”.

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Readers who submit articles must agree to our terms of use. The content is the sole responsibility of the contributor and is unmoderated. But we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention. If you wish to complain about this article, contact us here