Why life in the slow lane suits Norma just fine

HAVING brought up three kids, life has been understandably hectic for Norma Duncan.

But the mum-of-three from Alloway is savouring things at a slower pace now. And it’s not just because she celebrated her 65th birthday last week.

It’s because suddenly everything – from sitting watching birds in the garden of the Ayrshire house she shares with husband Colin to looking after their grandkids – is extra special.

Norma has been struck time and again by sarcoma but has successfully battled the cancer and refuses to let her positive attitude be chipped away.

However, as an Awareness Week tries to raise the profile of the bone and soft tissue cancer, she says faster diagnosis is definitely needed.

Norma, who worked in personnel for M&S among a number of roles before retiring, said: “It took nine months to be diagnosed despite having a big lump on my leg which had come out of nothing really.

“I went to the doctor and was told it was probably just a fatty lump and nothing to be concerned about. But it was on the back of my thigh and started to get numb and painful when I was sitting.

“It was only after I went back to the GP that I was finally referred to a consultant.”

A scan and a subsequent biopsy showed that it was “certainly not nothing” as had been mooted.

“No sarcomas are common but it was one of those known for hitting from middle age onwards and surgery and radiotherapy were organised.

“I grew up in an age when cancer was the Big C and so many people died, but once I had it explained to me I just felt I had to get on with it.”

Everything seemed fine in the aftermath until Norma found another lump appearing almost out of nothing, this time in her abdomen.

Further surgery followed, but it re-occurred once again.

On that occasion it was felt that surgery couldn’t be attempted again, so the best approach was chemotherapy.

That took place over a course of several months until scans showed the sarcomas had been significantly reduced.

But, last autumn, the sarcoma returned and this time it was felt surgery had to be attempted again.

Throughout the years, despite the surgery and draining treatments, Norma has stayed remarkably upbeat.

“Part of that is down to the fact that I have come through the treatments pretty well,” she adds.

“I lost my hair but I didn’t have other nasty side effects.

“I think I’ve been lucky at the treatment I’ve had and the Beatson in Glasgow and Maggie’s have been wonderful.

“I now find that I take the time to stop and look at the things that can be lost when you spend your life rushing.

“And I’ve loved seeing my three grandchildren, all of whom were born after the sarcoma.”

Sarcoma UK run a national support line (0808 801 0401) for all those affected. Visit sarcoma.org.uk