Charlotte Coleman
Charlotte's Bike Ride
Fundraising for THE CHRISTIE CHARITY
Story
July 2000...cancer was always something that happened to other people. Definitely not me! I had a healthy life style, I wasn't overweight and I was very active-cycling, hiking and going to the gym. One night whilst lying in bed I felt quite a large lump in my breast- right underneath against the chest wall. Unbelievably, I didn't in my ignorance rush to the doctors. I thought it would probably go away (a clear case of denial). A week later it was still there so I thought I had better make an appointment. Even my GP thought it may be an abcess as it felt tender. Actually that was just me being soft! He still referred me to the nightingale centre and to my utter amazement it was diagnosed as breast cancer and not only that- it was the most aggressive type .
The good news was that the tumour was still fairly small and would need radiotherapy and 5 years of hormone treatment. I thought I was out of the woods! In a way I was but nothing could prepare me for the loss of oestrogen which is basically what the drug Tamoxifen does. Overnight I became menopausal, hot flushes that were so bad I felt like tearing my clothes off and if I could have rolled in snow I would have done! I became forgetful too, often going out then doing something entirely different and not coming back with what I wanted. I was too young to retire and in any case I still wanted to work (I was a primary school teacher) My class were brilliant, bless them . Some of the girls got to know when to open the window and would try and help me to stay cool. In summer I became a permanent moist rag and would wake up every morning dehydrated. This went on for years, not months and I can honestly say that it was horrendous and far worse than the op and the radiotherapy. I couldn't take hormone replacement therapy- not allowed once you have had cancer. They have diminished now and I feel a lot better these days thank goodness. I still overheat from time to time. Everyone who suffers from this horrible disease has a different story unique to them but for me breast cancer takes away your self confidence as a woman. I know a lot of people will disagree with me but I can only say how I felt. especially when 5 years later I had to have a radical hysterectomy just in case there where any last bits of oestrogen lurking in my poor ravaged body!! Anyway thanks to the skill and knowledge of the doctors at Christie's I'm still alive to tell the tale and that's why I want to fund raise for this brilliant hospital that is touching so many lives . And for my friend Jo who is fighting breast cancer as I write, who is amazing and still cycles with me, usually once a week over the hills and valleys of Saddleworth. That' s why I will be cycling the Way of the Roses across the country from Morecombe to Bridlington, with my school friend Lynda who is coming over from California to do this with me. It is very challenging cycle of 170 miles across very hilly terrain!
Breast cancer is like an epidemic- it is affecting so many women: if everyone gives a little , together we can help to fight this scourge that is taking away our mums, sisters , nieces and daughters.
The good news was that the tumour was still fairly small and would need radiotherapy and 5 years of hormone treatment. I thought I was out of the woods! In a way I was but nothing could prepare me for the loss of oestrogen which is basically what the drug Tamoxifen does. Overnight I became menopausal, hot flushes that were so bad I felt like tearing my clothes off and if I could have rolled in snow I would have done! I became forgetful too, often going out then doing something entirely different and not coming back with what I wanted. I was too young to retire and in any case I still wanted to work (I was a primary school teacher) My class were brilliant, bless them . Some of the girls got to know when to open the window and would try and help me to stay cool. In summer I became a permanent moist rag and would wake up every morning dehydrated. This went on for years, not months and I can honestly say that it was horrendous and far worse than the op and the radiotherapy. I couldn't take hormone replacement therapy- not allowed once you have had cancer. They have diminished now and I feel a lot better these days thank goodness. I still overheat from time to time. Everyone who suffers from this horrible disease has a different story unique to them but for me breast cancer takes away your self confidence as a woman. I know a lot of people will disagree with me but I can only say how I felt. especially when 5 years later I had to have a radical hysterectomy just in case there where any last bits of oestrogen lurking in my poor ravaged body!! Anyway thanks to the skill and knowledge of the doctors at Christie's I'm still alive to tell the tale and that's why I want to fund raise for this brilliant hospital that is touching so many lives . And for my friend Jo who is fighting breast cancer as I write, who is amazing and still cycles with me, usually once a week over the hills and valleys of Saddleworth. That' s why I will be cycling the Way of the Roses across the country from Morecombe to Bridlington, with my school friend Lynda who is coming over from California to do this with me. It is very challenging cycle of 170 miles across very hilly terrain!
Breast cancer is like an epidemic- it is affecting so many women: if everyone gives a little , together we can help to fight this scourge that is taking away our mums, sisters , nieces and daughters.
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