Hi, I’m Janine

Like many women I didn't routinely check myself for breast changes and found a lump by chance as rib pain alerted me that something wasn't right. That was In 2010, I was 32 and diagnosed with breast cancer and went on to have a mastectomy and lymph node removal.This was followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy; the nasty stuff that makes you sick and results in hair loss. Unfortunately the following year I found a lump in the other breast, but the hospital sent me away telling me it was nothing to worry about.

When the lump didn't go, I insisted on a biopsy, only to be told that it was cancer again. Around the same time, cancer developed in the skin on my chest, so I was diagnosed as having secondary breast cancer (aka metastatic or advanced cancer). This is literally a death sentence as it is (as yet) incurable. But, just as with other serious illnesses such as HIV, modern drugs are helping extend sufferers' lives.

For the past 5 years I have been receiving modern, targeted drugs, either on the NHS or as part of a drug company's clinical trials. Thankfully they have been very effective at keeping the cancer at bay. UNFORTUNATELY CANCER ADAPTS! In September 2016, I had a mastectomy of the remaining breast as another tumor had developed. This was followed by the blow that there are no suitable clinical trials and there are no other HER2 drugs available on the NHS.

I'm not about to give up on life because, my daughters, my husband, my family and friends and even the students that I teach still need me. So I'm now in the unenviable position of trying to raise funds for new treatments, whether they be in the UK or abroad. These treatments are available, and they do work, but they're also expensive. I'm so grateful to the people who are donating toward the cost of my treatments, especially those brave enough to take part in fundraising challenges, it really does mean so much.

Janine

http://www.boobiedate.org.uk/