My journey began in January 2023 after a consultation with my G.P I mentioned that I had breast pain in my right breast but not my left. My doctor reassured me but decided to refer me to the local breast clinic. My appointment was for March 14th which I attended by myself as I didn’t really think that I had anything to worry about and due to my age I thought it was worth getting checked out anyway.

After an examination the consultant said that I would be having a mammogram and ultrasound as well as a biopsy. The doctors and nurses were very attentive during my appointment but I didn’t expect for my life to change on that day. After all the tests I sat in the consultant’s office and he explained that there was a lump and I will get my results in two weeks. I asked what are the chances of it being cancer and he replied 99%. It was as if everything went into slow motion. I walked back to my car thinking that there’s still that 1% chance he may be wrong.

I knew deep down when I returned for my diagnosis that it was cancer, but all I wanted to know was how to deal with it and remove it from my body. My diagnosis was invasive ductal carcinoma which is a common form of breast cancer. I found there was so much information to take in and thankfully I had my mum and sister to listen, support and ask questions to the doctors. My lumpectomy was scheduled for April and unfortunately after that I had to have my lymph nodes removed two weeks later due to my cancer spreading. There were lots of appointments and tests and by reaching out I found lots of support too.

My consultant assured me that my treatment was tailored to my diagnosis which went on to include Chemo and radiation. Those days were tough but a bit of self care and being kind to yourself and accepting help really did get me through it. One day at a time was even one hour at a time on my worst days but I got through it and even during my treatment I had trips to the beach for walks and lunch with my friends and family. Everything in my life slowed down and It was like watching everyone through a window carry on whilst my life stopped. Life carries on regardless. Cancer does make you feel lonely at times.

Telling my three grown up children was very tough. They are used to seeing their mum out running, cycling and climbing mountains. This was a totally different challenge and one that I could not protect them from seeing. A cancer diagnosis impacts on the whole family and is so daunting and scary. Having a positive attitude helped me and my family and friends to navigate our way through it together. I think the day I shaved my hair off really hit them all as I looked different physically without my hair. I wore lots of nice head scarves and tried to make the best of the situation. After all, it’s only temporary and will grow back again.

A year on from my treatment I’m slowly finding my feet again and doing more walking and exercise, even on days I do not feel like going. I am taking Tamoxifen for the next 5 years to reduce the chances of recurrence. I’m so grateful to be on this side of the diagnosis and treatment and feel lucky that the treatment provided was so successful.