Cancer sufferer at risk of losing her home.

First of all let me start by introducing myself. My name is Mandy, I am 55 years old and have two grown up children and two cats. I used to be a nurse for well over 30 years. My last job was within the NHS where I supported Rape Victims. This was a very challenging role where we supported children as well as adults.

Things changed when a close friend suggested that we opened a café together. It was a dream to have my own business so I left my NHS job and became self-employed. Unfortunately this is where my problems started.

I first developed breast cancer in my left breast back in 2011 and never thought that it would come back but it did! In March 2017 I found what I thought was a cyst in my right breast and because of my previous history I was referred urgently. The doctor at the hospital confirmed that what I had discovered was an innocent cyst but they had found something on the left side, this was a complete shock as I had not been aware of any lump. Biopsies confirmed that this was now a stage 3 breast cancer and treatment would start once I had further investigations to see if the cancer had spread.

Fortunately there was no spread, so I started a course of chemotherapy followed by mastectomy and reconstruction. I finished my chemotherapy in September last year and then my operation was in October three weeks after the chemotherapy and took five hours, recovery has been slow and my wound broke down and is still not fully healed. This was not an easy journey but I made it and the experience teaches you to appreciate every day and value the precious things in life. I am also thankful that I went to the hospital when I did. My previous mammogram was clear just 10 months before hand, I believe that this saved my life as I couldn’t feel the lump and it could have been some time before I discovered it.

Believe it or not the hardest part of this experience has been the money worries. Because I was self-employed I had to walk away from my café as it didn’t make enough to pay me sick pay. I have had to live on Employment and Support Allowance which was £300 a month at first but I now get £500. This enables me to pay my bills, run my car and buy food but this doesn’t cover my mortgage, so I have had no way of paying it. Unfortunately I am single and I used all my savings on my business so I haven’t been able to pay my mortgage since April last year.

My mortgage provider was understanding at first but they have now instructed their solicitors and I have a court hearing on 14th March.

The reality is, if I don’t find the funds to start paying my mortgage and clear the arrears of over £6,000 they will repossess my home and I will have nowhere to live. I am doing everything in my power to gather as much money as I can but these are not guaranteed, hence my plea. I have also started looking for work as I want to help myself more than anything but I cannot guarantee I’ll find work in time. I have been looking since January and have applied for several jobs in that time but have yet to hear. I have always been totally aware that I need to pay my mortgage and have been honest and upfront with my mortgage provider since the beginning.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story, I’m a proud woman and find asking for money very hard but I’m desperate. Desperation makes you do unusual things. If you are able to help me, if even in a small way, I will be eternally grateful as no one living with cancer should have to worry about being homeless.

Thank you again

Mandy xx