Darling, I'm right there with you. I've been diagnosed with 2 types of early cancer at once and am staring down the barrel of chemotherapy and then will have a breast removed later this year. I really think confronting your fear is one of the most important parts of the healing process. Yeah you could die early but guess what, Natasha Richardson was on a family skiing holiday in paradise and she suddenly died from falling over!! So having a few funky cells in your body does not necessarily predict the date you leave the planet AND you just have to come to grips with that. People die every day of sudden and unexpected things so in a way it's a gift to be reminded that your days on the planet are numbered, kwim? Then you can extract the very juiciest bits of life out of life, do the things that are most important to you, and let all the other cr@p slide.

I did some reading that really helped me - books about healing in general often talk about people who have overcome really grim diagnoses to go on and thrive and live long healthy lives. There are a lot more survivors out there than people who die. Think of people like Lance Armstrong, Kylie Minogue, Olivia Newton John. There are also some fantastic books by people like Petrea King, I suggest you look some of them up.

Plus there are other ways to help you feel empowered in creating your own state of health (instead of powerless in the face of this sinister 'thing' on your face). There are lots of creative visualisations on CD (check out Bernie Siegel and Louise Hay) which I'm using on a regular basis. I've started juicing vegetables, I'm seeing a Naturopath to support my baseline health, I'm chosing healthy 'alive' foods and incorporating more regular exercise in my lifestyle. I hope to be able to support my sense of wellbeing as I go through treatment with things like massage, aromatherapy, participating in support groups, fund-raising activities for cancer research, regular relaxation and meditation practice, crystal salt baths. Plus I intend to have FUN, laugh a lot, and enjoy myself. These things all create a positive biochemistry in your body that a) assist with healing and b) help you feel more positive and calm.

And yes, you will now always look at every spot and blemish and wonder. Yes is it appropriate for you to get them checked on a more regular basis by a specialist. Talk to your GP about finding someone really good who you can check in with every few months - they should record, measure and even take pictures of all your spots, so they can track any changes. But don't be gloomy or scared about this process. Like my breast (farewell my lovely!) think of it as insurance for your long and healthy life.