Thread by @bloodcancer_uk

📆 Today is #CancerSurvivorsDay 📆

Here at Blood Cancer UK, we want to use today to raise awareness of what #survival means to those who live with slow-growing (chronic) #bloodcancer, and share some of their stories.

Read the rest of our thread to find out more.... 👇

👨‍👩‍👦As many of our community will know, surviving blood cancer can be a very different experience to overcoming some other types of cancer.

🔎For those with chronic blood cancer, 'survival' means learning to adapt and finding new ways of living to accommodate ongoing symptoms.

😴 This is the case for Erica, who has chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and experiences extreme tiredness (fatigue) as a result.

❤️ For Erica, survival means learning the triggers of her fatigue and knowing when her body needs rest. She says: "Fatigue won't stop me enjoying life."

Read more: bloodcancer.org.uk/support-for-yo…

🤸 For Katie, who has chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), survival has meant adapting her old exercise routine to one that works for her now.

"It really helps my mental health and it gives me time for me – a chance to smile and enjoy life." 🧡

Read more: bloodcancer.org.uk/support-for-yo…

🤕 Meanwhile for Mike, who has CLL, survival means finding a 'new normal' after his nerve damage:

"I have re-learnt how to use my body. It can be very, very frustrating but I have learnt to live with the frustration."

Read more of Mike's story: bloodcancer.org.uk/support-for-yo…

And finally, for Paul (CML), survival means learning to cope with feelings of fear and guilt:

💬 "I fear that the treatment will stop working. With one weapon in the armoury gone, what would I have left to fight this?"

Read more of Paul's story: bloodcancer.org.uk/support-for-yo…

For those living with chronic blood cancer, survival can take many different forms, and involves finding solutions to daily problems. ❤️

If you're a survivor, or know someone who is, then we'd love to hear what survival means to you. Reply to this tweet and let us know 😊