Our blogger Melanie O'Neill has two children and was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer eight years ago.

Here she shares her latest thoughts living with cancer.

I AM sat in the newly installed M&S café at The Christie hospital awaiting my blood results to see if they are at an acceptable level to go ahead with my treatment.

It’s currently 7 weeks since my last treatment dose as the doctor wouldn’t allow me to have it last week as my tongue has been covered with ulcers.

On returning this week, I was privileged to see the doctor for half an hour instead of the usual 5 minutes.

Introducing herself she warmly informed me that she was the doctor not in charge but looking after the administration and care for the people remaining on the Synthon clinical trial.

As she had never previously worked on a Wednesday morning, our paths had never crossed so being the only patient at The Christie left on this particular trial (being 1 of 3 left in the UK) she had changed her shift so she would now be working Wednesday and I would finally get to see a familiar face and hopefully build a rapport which I have never had the chance to do, seeing different doctors at each visit.

She was warm and friendly and she talked about how well she knew me having read all my notes over the last 2 years and how nice it was to put a face to a name.

READ > The first picture of the day I became a mum

She hadn’t realised I was applying hydrating drops to my eyes hourly as my reminder of The Greatest Showman theme tune rang on my phone, mid discussion.

After apply the drops, she appeared astonished how I carried on regardless.

Upon raising her concerns, I replied that there were far worse things I could be going through and I was grateful I only had to deal with eye drops when other people at the hospital were suffering having far worse symptoms.

I went on to tell her that even though I have to put drops in my eyes frequently I find it a small price to pay as in the bigger picture, this treatment is keeping me alive.

After examining my ulcerated tongue once more, she anxiously made notes and informed me I wouldn’t be having my treatment again this week due to the appearance of my tongue.

I was gutted but what could I do? It was out of my control.

She continued to tell me how she may have to refer me to a mouth specialist who may want to perform a biopsy to establish what it was that was covering my tongue.

My bum cheeks clenched as I gripped tight hold of my scarf which was lay scrunched up on my knee. Ouch.

The thought of a needle in my tongue made me squirm. I took a deep breath as she left the room to get a second opinion.

She returned with the doctor in charge of the trial

Last week I was prescribed antibiotics as the doctor that day, thought it was a viral infection that had caused the extremity of the ulcers but today I was prescribed a 2 week course of antifungal tablets along with antifungal medicine-like syrup along with numerous other additions like mouthwash and paracetamol and then proceeded to give the choice to me as to whether I wanted to have my treatment today or delay it further.

Not wanting the implications of not having my treatment for a further 2 weeks, I happily told the doctor I wanted to go ahead with the treatment today and that I would be in touch should my symptoms become worse.

So after having an eventful day, I reflected on my eventful week.

I finally made it to watch one of my all-time favourite singers Gabrielle after not being able to attend 2 of her concerts through being in hospital and reluctantly having to sell the tickets on Facebook.

Both times I had let Nic (my best friend) down so having bought the tickets as a birthday gift, I prayed nothing would go wrong before the night and we would finally get to go.

The night was extra special to me having missed 2 shows already I secretly feared I would never get the chance to go again with Nic or anyone else for that matter. But I was wrong.

Worrying over the worst was a complete waste of time as we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, dancing the night away feeling carefree singing songs from our youth when we once were.

On top of that, just as I thought it couldn’t get much better, I felt privileged and grateful to watch my eldest daughter Lois, star in her first performance for her acting school First Act, in Willy Russell’s play Our Day Out.

I was blown away by the talent of the young students and how their teachers were able to create a story with minimal props and costumes yet delivered an amazing version of a funny yet tearful account of a heart-warming adventure.

Having laughed and cried I left the theatre on a massive high with Lois winning the raffle too.

Something tells me I’m going to be skint this Easter rewarding both my kids for their accomplishments as Darcey was awarded Most Academically Improved at school.

I feel blessed to still be here to experience seeing all of these things when I’ve lost so many close to me along the way.

I never take a moment for granted and look forward to spending a great Easter with my loved ones, spoiling my kids and not fearing if I’ll see another Easter because I’m certain that I will.