By Jane Elliott BBC News Online health staff

Over the last two decades Carys Jones, of Swansea, Wales, has had just one wish to see her little boys grow up and reach adulthood.

Now she is a proud grandmother and thanks God for each new day.

In just four years the consultant community paediatrician had three separate breast cancers.

She lost both breasts.

Medication

Over the next two decades the cancer spread to her lymph glands and then bones.

She lost three inches from her height as her bones started to crumble and the medication she was taking ruined her lovely singing voice.

My doctor calls me his miracle patient

Carys Jones

The chemotherapy damaged her hair and she had two serious fractures one in her shoulder and one in her leg and now finds it difficult to walk and stand.

She got lymphoedema - a collection of lymphatic fluid in her tissue due to previous radiotherapy and surgery.

Hardship

One arm became badly swollen and exceedingly uncomfortable and she was unable to wear any of her tops.

But despite all the terrible hardships she has suffered over the past two decades Dr Jones is just happy she is alive and with her family.

Cancer the facts

Four in ten people will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime Over a million people currently have cancer this is forecast to double by 2020

"When I was first diagnosed in 1984 my eldest son was just coming up to his O-Levels and the youngest was just 12 years old.

"My first thoughts were that I wouldn't be able to see them through their teenage years, or see them grow into men and hopefully marry and have children."

But she said her faith had kept her going.

Now she is set to see her first grandchild - little Steffan christened and her joy is complete.

"This is something I never thought I would see. I have done what I never believed I could.

Diagnosis

She said that once she discovered the bone cancer she thought she had just months to live, instead she has already survived eight years since this diagnosis.

"My doctor calls me his miracle patient. I pulled back from death's door. "

Now she hopes her story can inspire others to battle cancer.

October has been designated Macmillan Cancer Relief's Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

For cancer information and support call the Macmillan CancerLine on freephone 0808 808 2020 (Mon-Fri 9am-6pm) or email cancerline@macmillan.org.uk.