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In 2024 the lives of myself and my family were turned upside down when I received a diagnosis of triple negative breast cancer that had spread to my lymph nodes.

Before this, I had never even heard of TNBC but soon found out this was the most aggressive form of breast cancer and it didn’t respond to the usual hormone based treatment. I started an intense, weekly chemotherapy and immunotherapy regime. Unfortunately in November I had to stop treatment after developing septic neutropenia and frequent reactions to treatment. The risks to my health had started to outweigh the benefits. I am currently waiting to find out what response chemo has had and what surgery, radiotherapy and further immunotherapy will be possible. Whilst all this was happening, my daughter, who has congenital heart defects, received the date for her second and final open heart surgery and it was right in the middle of my treatment. She has a unique heart and we knew surgery was risky but would improve her quality of life. After 16 long hours, we heard she had survived and were thrilled. The road to recovery hasn’t been smooth for her as her kidneys have been affected, she developed chylothorax and 2 hospital acquired infections.

I haven’t been together with my family for nearly 3 months. My husband has been with our daughter while I was having treatment and too ill to make the journey but trying to visit whenever I could. The mum guilt of not being with my 5 year old who just wanted her mum was overwhelming.

Now that treatment has stopped, we are trying to rent in Leeds wherever we can find in order to keep me safe as my immune system is so low but to allow me to be with my daughter as much as possible. Rich has been told his wage will be halved so this is next to impossible to keep up. Recently I was told to make my way to Leeds as soon as possible as they thought the infection Ellie has could overwhelm her. Thankfully, a week later, she has been taken off the ventilator and is making small steps forwards again. We have been told we will be facing many more months in hospital during which time I will probably have to have my own surgery and have to be apart from them again. Once I am recovered enough to make the journey, I hope very much to be able to be back with Rich, supporting our daughter where I should be. I’m doing everything I can to make sure cancer doesn’t stop me being there for her.