It also won an award (Image: Matt Willis/University of Bristol/PA Wire)

Adult students diagnosed with three different types of cancer in 15 months graduated with a master’s degree.

Georgia Tankard, 53, was diagnosed with the first of three cancers two days before starting her studies at the University of Bristol.

The two mothers had to postpone their study to receive treatment and received two more catastrophic diagnoses in the following months, but today she is finally the proud husband and the youngest daughter. I graduated with honor in front of me.

Georgina was a teacher and librarian at the age of 48 and decided to return to her old university to pursue a master’s degree in educational psychology.

His goal was to help young people based on his understanding of children’s learning and mental health.

However, she was first diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2017.

This meant that he needed surgery and five weeks of radiotherapy and had to hold back on his goals.

During treatment, doctors found a cancerous melanoma on Georgina’s leg. This had to be surgically removed.

A 52-year-old woman from Emerson Green, South Gloucestershire, was able to start her studies in a new school year, but then received another letter informing her of her third cancer diagnosis.

Handout photograph of Georgina Tankard from the University of Bristol prior to graduation

Very impressive (Image: PA)

“I just feel sick,” she said.

It was much more serious than the first breast cancer. But she knew what to expect this time.

It was like, “Well, I’m back in the ditch.” But this time, I got a lot more information and was much more prepared. “

This time he was able to continue his research on a shorter schedule, balancing more surgery and radiation therapy with his degree.

This was followed by hormone therapy, which left her “tired, terribly anxious and with a headache that lasted for days”.

“Cancer takes time” (Picture: PA)

During this time, she sought help from the NHS and Bristol charities, and was helped by a ‘good’ adviser from the university’s student services.

“Cancer takes a long time, I think I had over 100 appointments, but it also takes up a lot of space,” she said.

“My friends were great, so when I talk about it, I get really emotional.

“I am a very independent person, but I realized that I needed help and they confirmed that they were there.

“I had 40 radiotherapy sessions and only one. I called them my George team.

Georgina was finally able to return to a full-time job and wrote a treatise on the student experience transitioning to elementary school that she is about to publish.

Her course ended in June 2021 and she was rewarded for all her effort.

He states, “It’s great to graduate here today. My wife and daughter have seen all the efforts I’ve put in at the kitchen table for four years.

“And the last time I was here was when I graduated in 1989.”

Currently, Georgina plans to become a children’s counselor.

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