WHEN Colette Wells was diagnosed with breast cancer six years ago she vowed that whatever happened she would live life to the full.
She drew up a "wish list" of places she wanted to visit and has just returned from a trip to Hawaii, not only making one of her dreams come true but also fulfilling her late grandad's dying wish.
Colette, of Burnley Road, Accrington, said: "My husband gave me the trip for my 40th birthday and it was amazing.
"When you get cancer you never know if it's going to be cured and somebody said why don't you make a wish list of all the things you want to do."
She has already been to Florida with her children Ricky, 20, Perry, 18, and James, nine, visited Lapland at Christmas and been shopping in New York.
But she added: "Hawaii was the trip of a lifetime. My grandad talked about it when I was a little girl. He never got there but when he was dying he said I had to make sure to go.
"My husband Martin and I celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary there and renewed our vows on Waikiki Beach. It made the holiday really special."
Unfortunately, the cancer has since returned but Colette has vowed to fight it again and has added Dubai and Mauritius to her latest wish list.
She was first diagnosed with cancer in 2001 after her sister-in-law contracted the disease eight years ago.
She said: "I'd never checked myself before then but after she got it I did so regularly.
"One day my nipple was inverted and I knew that was a symptom. The doctor sent me for a test straightaway."
Colette, who underwent a mastectomy and chemotherpy treatment, added: "I'm a very positive person and I don't dwell on things a lot.
"I thought let's just get on with the treatment and get rid of it and everything was fine for a couple of years."
Showing true fighting spirit, Colette managed to study for a degree in social studies which she gained last summer.
She even delayed a dose of chemotherapy for a month so she could attend her graduation ceremony.
Colette said: "I never thought I could do it but I thought life's too short.
"The doctors wanted me to start chemotherapy last summer but I held off for a month because I'd worked for four years and didn't want a picture in my cap and gown without my hair which I knew would fall out."
Colette who has also been treated with Herceptin, as well as chemotherapy, said: "I had the tumour removed but it's come back three times and it's growing again now. The treatment is just not working.
"But I'm a fighter and my friends and family will not let me get down at all.
"I love life too much and I'm not ready to give up.
"I'm going to fight this all the way."
