The Fight of My Life: The Inspiring Story of a Mother's Fight against Breast Cancer

A former nurse and mother of three children—two with special needs, Barbara Clark was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in February 2005. During her treatment, she found that there existed a drug, Herceptin, that would double survival chances for her particular form of cancer from 14%. However, it wasn't available on the National Heath Service (NHS) and therefore, for Barbara, unaffordable. In the midst of aggressive chemotherapy, Barbara, incredibly, found the strength to fight not just the NHS but the government, and to win the right to be prescribed the drug on the NHS, not just for herself but for thousands of other women. This book tells the story behind those headlines—how she first found her cancer, and what it was that gave her the will to battle on and take on, not just the disease but the authorities who were prepared to let her die for want of a drug. Barbara's reasons for living are her three children, and their stories and how they dealt with her cancer are uplifting and inspiring. Herceptin has treated Barbara's cancer, but it doesn't guarantee a complete cure—rather, it buys her more time to care for the people who are most precious to her, to help other women, and to pursue her passion for life.