Robin McCullough admits her reaction when diagnosed with cancer was not typical.
"I was actually thinking how fortunate I was," the Tauranga pensioner said.
Mrs McCullough's husband was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer 11 years ago. The cancer was so invasive, he only survived two rounds of chemotherapy in three months before he died.
Mrs McCullough was his primary caregiver in those last months, so when she was given a slightly different diagnosis of lung cancer in January 2012, she was grateful.
"I was relieved it wasn't the same type of cancer my husband had and that we had found it early. I knew I had a better chance than he did and that gave me hope."
Squamous cell carcinoma is a malignant form of cancer. After gruelling rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in Tauranga and Hamilton, Mrs McCullough is now in a cancer survivor limbo - waiting between her last treatment from last year and next July when the doctors will "officially get excited".
But the adjustment to waiting is tough.
The 70-year-old confessed she fell into a black hole of depression following her last round of chemo.
"When you've had people crawling all over you and suddenly there's nothing, they say 'we will see you in three months', it's a bit strange," Ms McCullough said.
"I live alone and it was difficult with my family not being handy. They are very supportive and visited when possible but that meant I had to take responsibility for getting myself through. My liaison nurse at the Cancer Society in Tauranga kept in touch and gave me advice on how I could do it, she was amazing. Every time I stumbled she was there to pick up the pieces."
Mrs McCullough's brother-in-law and nephew have also died from cancer.
She did not realise she was suffering from depression when the cancer liaison nurse noted Mrs McCullough needed help.
"She actually offered counselling funded by the Cancer Society," Mrs McCullough said. "There's an amazing amount of services offered by the Cancer Society and the hospital if you know where to look."
The problem was, not many people realised it.
"The Cancer Society are not actually allowed to approach patients, it's a privacy thing. Clients are not allowed to be referred to the Cancer Society so you have to do it yourself."
Mrs McCullough said the experience of caring for her husband taught her the importance of being proactive and seeking what help was available.
She hoped her story would help others in realising support was there for anyone suffering from cancer.
"I wish I had known more about what the Cancer Society offered when my husband was ill - maybe I could have given him so much more comfort and support.
"There is an amazing amount of help available if you just go out and get it."
The Cancer Society's Tauranga branch is at 98, 14th Ave (tauranga@cancersociety.org.nz). More information can be found at cancersociety.org.nz.
Daffodil Day donations
August marks the beginning of the month-long annual appeal for Cancer Society of New Zealand, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
To donate to Daffodil Day, look out for the volunteer street collectors who will be in and around town on Friday, August 30. Alternatively people can make an instant $20 donation by phoning 0900 311 11, which will automatically be charged to their telephone account. People can also text from their cellphone, by texting 'daffodil' to 305 to make an instant $3 donation.
More information is available at www.daffodilday.org.nz where you can also donate online.