IF I’d thought about cancer, I’d always imagined someone else being told, rather like that bloke on the telly in the Macmillan advert. When it happened to me, after the initial shock, it took a while to sink in.

I’d always thought the very early mornings must be the worst but, in fact, I find this to be a good time when I’m warm and comfy in bed and watching the birds, especially the sparrows, the cheeky little sods. Much as I love them, however, they continue to crap on my car.

My diagnosis of bowel cancer came after a prolonged period of increasing tiredness when everyday tasks became a real effort. Subsequent blood tests showed low iron content and further tests confirmed the cancer.

I would strongly recommend anyone with similar symptoms to see their GP and when the test kit comes in the post, use it. I didn’t.

Anyway I’m due to have surgery, not at Holby City thank goodness, but I find as the day draws near I’m reminded of a line from an Elvis Presley hit: “I’m all shook up, I’m itching like a man on a fuzzy tree.” Does anyone know what a fuzzy tree is?

I must say as a last word that all the people I’ve seen have been wonderfully kind. Thank goodness for the NHS.

VJ Connor, Bishop Auckland