Me and Gemma from GG's salon on Mutley plain Plymouth are on a mission.
We are hoping to raise money for 2 charities and also raise money to have hair again.
I was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer at the age of 26. It was such a hard time especially with having 2 young kids to care for. I had an immediate mastectomy, removing my right breast. I then started an aggressive chemotherapy for the next 5/6 months. I lost all body hair and my beautiful long locks. It was devastating but I thought 'it would grow back'.
Next was radiotherapy 5 days a week for a month, which I blistered badly.
Yay I finished active treatment, that is it right?!
Wrong!
The next blow came, I was diagnosed with brca2 gene. Which basically meant I had an 80% chance of cancer coming back. Not just breast cancer but ovarian cancer to. My children also have a 50% chance they will have this gene to. I was devastated. All I could think was that I'd never see my children grow up and never become a wife to my love Martin. That is the worst feeling in the world. Every time I looked at my beautiful family I crumbled.
So I went onto having my remaining breast removed, and my ovaries removed as a preventative measure. Anything to increase my chances of seeing my children grow up. So there I was, bald, no breast and down.
A while later I managed to get reconstruction in Exeter. They used my back muscles and skin to rebuild my breasts. They look amazing. so I'm half way to feeling me again.
All that's left now is my hair. Unfortunately due to the aggressive treatment and long term medication I have to take, my hair has grown back very sparse, fine and not growing well in length. I'm unable to have normal hair extensions due to this.
But that's where GG's come in. Amazingly they are able to help me with a special type of hair extension. But it is very expensive. I'd never be able to afford it. So I seek help. please help us raise enough money for this and for charity. Help me be me again.