Two days after feeling the lump I was told that the melanoma had recurred in the lymph nodes in my neck and two days later I was in hospital having my second child; a beautiful little brother for Riley (4 years). We called him Max.

I had a harrowing wait for three days to have the CT scan to stage the cancer, and was really relieved to be told it was stage 3 and there was some prospect of a cure. I was so distressed at the prospect of leaving my two little boys without a mother so young being told it was stage 3 was such a relief.

A week later I had 38 lymph nodes removed from my neck. This was a really rough time. The neck dissection was major surgery and I had just had a c-section, and I had a newborn. I also spent my son's 4th birthday in hospital. Melanoma was present in a number of lymph nodes, and one was particularly large, with the melanoma spreading beyond the lymph node capsule. Not as good a result as I had hoped for.

I have just finished 4 weeks of daily radiation and I am really glad that is over. Poor little Max has spent almost every day since he was born at a doctor's surgery or hospital with me and my four year old has hardly seen his mum since Max was born, or if he does he's told to leave me to rest - he is confused about what is going on. We've all been on an emotional roller coaster.

It is three months since I found out the cancer was back. Max is now 12 weeks old, I have just had my 38th birthday and I am about to go to my first meeting of the Brisbane MPA group for some inspiration about how to get on with things without this dreaded cancer dominating my thoughts. It's difficult to feel cancer free when you have such a poor prognosis but I am really looking forward to feeling better, spending time with Max and Riley and getting on with the lovely things I had planned for my maternity leave with the boys. My husband is even talking about traveling around Australia next year in a Winnebago. Apparently thats what you do!!!!

My family and friends were absolutely wonderful from the day I found out - cooking meals, doing up a roster of people to take me to hospital and cuddle max while I had treatment so John could stay home with Riley, taking Riley for play dates with their children, washing, cleaning the house and just generally being supportive. The staff at the Mater hospital where I had Max, the neck dissection and radiation were all wonderful too; what strong and compassionate people they are to deal with this day in and day out!