How my story begins: For a long time things didn't feel right as I was experiencing some pelvic and leg pain. In May, my doctor sent me for an internal ultrasound but nothing untoward was discovered. By December I was having a huge amount of watery discharge but because of the clear ultrasound I wasn't too worried. I spoke to my doctor again and went for another ultrasound. Something was very obvious this time but very high in the cervix which was why it was likely missed before. A mass around 6cm x 4cm was seen. Eventually after many other tests including MRI, PET scan and biopsy, I was diagnosed with cervical cancer.

Life before my diagnosis: I was a busy mum of four, my two sons were grown up but my daughters were only 9 and 14. We had moved from England to Australia in 1996 when our sons were 2 and 5 years old. We don't have any family in Australia so we had learnt to be very self sufficient.

How I felt after diagnosis: The day before I went for my results I wrote in my diary, '" have a feeling that tomorrow will change my life forever" and I was right.

I was told my diagnosis was unusual, a mixture of 3 rare and aggressive cancers. Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell and Serous, staged at 3B. All devastating on their own but a mixture of 3 brought in an unknown entity, the tumour was large and spread into surrounding tissue, it was clear I had a fight on my hands.

Telling my family and friends: Telling my family and friends was harder than I could imagine. I was diagnosed just before Christmas so my husband and I decided to keep it to ourselves until after Christmas. I clearly remember looking at all my family at my most favourite time of year thinking it was likely my last one with them all, it was so hard and still has an impact on my Christmases now.

I told my oldest son first, he sounded very shocked. My younger son was on holiday so we waited until he was back. My daughters were next and I was careful how I worded it -- I said that we are doing everything possible to get me better and we would tell them if they needed to worry. In hindsight I downplayed everything as I didn't want them to be scared or upset. I thought I was protecting them but really I cheated them out of being part of a really important time in all of our lives, especially mine.

I felt alone and terrified as nobody knew how bad it was and how much I was struggling. I'd do it differently if I could turn back the clock as I realise more now that people do want to help. Telling my parents was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do too, especially as they live so far away.

My treatment: Treatment didn't start immediately mostly due to it being Christmas/New Year time. In early February I had my schedule: 6 weeks of radiation every day, 6 weeks of once a week chemotherapy and 3 sessions of brachytherapy in a week. I was also put on a trial that started immediately after this treatment, which was once a week of two very strong chemotherapies which ultimately risked my life and had to be abandoned. It was all very grueling and I was very unwell for a lot of it.

How I felt after treatment: When treatment was finished I did feel relief but I also felt fear because I wasn't actively fighting this thing anymore and now I just had to wait.

What was most difficult for me: The most difficult thing for me was feeling isolated in my battle. Nobody seemed to know the terror, fear and pain I was in every day but probably because, like many mums, I put on a brave face and pretended everything was fine when it wasn't. My prognosis was not good and my mind was full of sadness that nobody would love my children like I did or that I wouldn't meet my grandchildren. I was scared how they would all cope without me and I didn't want them to be sad either.

What I did to help myself: I tried to keep busy and as positive as I could. I attended a few things at the cancer hospital and I joined a Facebook page with people going through similar things which all helped.

My life after cancer: After my final tests to see where I was at after treatment I was given an appointment to go to the hospital for results. I got a call that asked me to come in early. Again my husband and I kept that to ourselves and went in full of dread. Luckily it wasn't the bad news we expected, it was the best news -- the cancer was undetected!

Where I am today: It's now 8 years on and I am still cancer free. There are war wounds for sure, damage to my body and mind. Osteoporosis from all the treatment, internal damage from radiation, teeth issues from chemo and steroids, chemo brain and high anxiety when anything doesn't feel right.

On the other hand, I got to meet 3 grandchildren so far, my daughters are now adults, my husband and I are starting to have more adventures and I have an insight not everyone has -- that life can change in an instant so try your best to live life to its fullest where possible.

What I want other women to know: I want others to know that we are very intuitive and if you feel something is wrong then keep going until you're sure you've been heard by our medical team.

How I will try to help others: I often drop a quote or meme on social media reminding people to make memories and enjoy the simple things. I also give advice and hope, where possible, to others with similar battles.

Any additional information you'd like to share: Even if it looks like the battle is already over, still stand and fight. Miracles do happen and even though it doesn't feel like it at the time, there can be rainbows after a storm.