When Robyn Free learned the news her cancer had returned in May she decided she would "make each day as meaningful as possible".
After spending years "fighting for treatment" through the ongoing pandemic, the 73-year-old undertook numerous surgeries and chemotherapy to successfully be cancer free in July, 2020
Ten months later, lymph nodes revealed her worst fears had come true and the cancer had returned. Since that day Robyn has made the brave decision to "make the most of the time" and turn down the option of further treatment.
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"The reason I have chosen not to have further chemotherapy is because I am already struggling with the shortness of breath on exertion/worsening emphysema caused by damage to my lungs via chemotherapy. It is getting worse and will get worse and I do not want to to risk further damage to my lungs for the sake of a possible few more years of life," said Robyn.
Devoting her life to now fulfilling her "bucket list", Robyn has managed to outwit four chasers to win a cool £40k, bought a shiny Montblanc pen and become an author of a new children's book aimed at supporting young people with abandonment issues and trauma.
In 2019, Robyn Free was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and went "back and forth" between medical professionals as she fought to have treatment.
With the risks of catching Covid, Robyn said she was advised not to undergo chemotherapy at that time. But, having spent 25 years as a nurse, she recognised the need for the treatment and argued "I did not have Covid but would die of cancer if not for chemotherapy".
After having radical surgery early in 2020, Robyn's left lung collapsed and she was left still fighting to have the potentially life-saving treatment to address her cancer.
Seeking multiple second opinions from other doctors, she eventually had the chemotherapy in four sessions by July, 2020, where her oncologist revealed there was no longer any evidence of disease.
However, in May this year, the cancer returned and the Trebanos-born resident "knew what lay ahead" when she decided to avoid further treatment and live as good a life as possible.
"I knew it was back, when you're a nurse you spot the signs. I was disappointed and there are days today that I wish I wasn't here. That isn't who I am today, I learned to keep myself busy and it's encouraged me to start ticking things off my bucket list.
"A lot of people question why me? I just question with why not? I had been through so much pain and discomfort through all that time I just decided to try and make my last days as comfortable as possible and leave something positive behind."
Acknowledging the challenges she faced, Robyn said she wasn't letting anything stop her.
"You have good and bad days, people don't understand that people who have suffered from cancer have extreme fatigue.
"I've learned to live with it, I'm not at the point where I need permanent care but I understand that is coming. I have issues with sickness in the morning which doesn't help when trying to swallow medication and I can only spend a few hours of the day moving and doing things.
"What drives me day-to-day now is trying to help others and make the most of the days to come" she said.
In September this year, Robyn was invited onto ITV spin-off show 'Beat The Chasers' after initially being offered the chance to go on main programme, The Chase, back in 2011 but being unable to after deciding to drive and live in Turkey with her two Turkish van cats.
"I had always wondered what if I did go on the show all that time ago, would I have won? My daughter joked I would be good television and I decided to reapply but managed to get on the spin-off version" she explained.
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When on the show, Robyn opted to "play it safe" and took on four chasers to win the prize sum with only four seconds to spare.
"You have no idea what it means to me" said Robyn during the show as she left both the chasers and Bradley Walsh stunned with her medical situation.
Upon winning the money, Robyn was able to pay substantial medical expenses, put preparations in place for her end of life care and funeral, set aside some for family and friends, alongside moving into a new location and launching a children's book.
Thanks to the funds, she decided to move centrally to Swansea City centre in a hotel with the Swansea Market at her doorstep.
"It's allowed me to continue living independently for the time being but who knows how that will change in the coming weeks, if we go into lockdown, but I'm happy with where I am and keeping myself busy"
Now, Robyn is able to pursue launching her children's book, 'Angel-Kat', that she hopes will help children process current or unresolved abandonment issues alongside being a therapeutic tool to help process emotions.
"The book is something close to me, It's dedicated to my daughter who had difficulty when myself and her father separated, it's an issue that affects so many and isn't recognised enough. I want to leave something behind when I'm gone that even if it helps just one person then I know it has accomplished what I set out to do."
She also has a website - www.angel-kat.co.uk - where children and adults with unresolved childhood issues from family breakdown can read the book for free.
Robyn wants to continue persevering with plans of developing the book further despite acknowledging her cancer is developing elsewhere in her body.
"I have to make each day as meaningful as possible, I don't consider myself brave as I'm simply not afraid anymore. I have come to terms with my illness, to me now, I used to spend days in bed but now this project and leaving behind something positive is what gives me peace of mind."
Inspired from Robyn's love of Turkish van cats, preparations are underway for the book's launch with a scheduled event at Nonna's Deliciously Different in Swansea Market on December 20 and 21. There will be four sessions in total where she will talk about the project and give away freebies worth £30. They will take place between 11am and 11.30 am and 11.30am and 12 noon each day. All profits will be donated to Cats Protection and the NSPCC.
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