August 2017 life for me took a sharp turn in the road, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. 30's were up until then the best years of my life, 33, good job, engaged to be married in 2018, buying the house of our dreams, the healthiest and fittest I've ever been, and to top it all great family and friends.

2 months have passed, I have undergone my first chemotherapy round and I have come to terms with what is ahead of me. I have another 15 rounds of chemo to go, then I will undergo surgery to remove what is left of the tumour, then radiotherapy. I hope to be out the other side come July 2018, just in time for my 34th birthday if everything goes to plan.

I have had incredible support around me which has given me so much strength. For a long time even before this I have worked with mindfulness teqniques, something I truly believe has helped me accept the path in which my life has now taken. I have had to deal so suddenly and make decisions on my life that never before did I believe I would have to make. One of the hardest things to accept as a young 33 year woman is fertility. I have no children but one day would love children, in 2 months I have had to get my head together and make decisions for my future after breast cancer, on top of this deal with the fact I have a life threatening and life changing illness. It hasn't been easy however the strength I have had in reserve has pulled me through. With mindfulness teqniques and positive forward thinking I have managed to tackle this head on, learnt to deal with each step at a time and allow myself to breathe.

This brings me to the reason for my just giving page. I am a forever optimist, I try not to dwell on the negatives and always attempt to be pro active in any challenge thrown my way,

I want to raise money to put back into such techniques as mindfulness, for others on the journey with me, to help them through, to give some light on the days which can be filled with darkness.

My breast cancer care team at the Bamford suite at Derby Nuffield Health were there day one of my diagnosis. They are amazing. The Bamford suite work on a donation bases. I want to raise money so that Julie, John and Rachel can build on the services they already provide such as mindfulness classes, providing support for people who are going through treatment currently or have been affected with breast cancer, providing support not just during treatment and surgery but after too. I can't tell you how it feels to pick up the phone and speak to the same people each time, to go into the Bamford suite and see the same faces they are such a huge part of my journey and others and I want to give something back to them.

A long side this I want to create a book "sharing your inspiration to others" I aim to contact others on this journey and those others who are on the other side. I wish to compile their letters and create a book of inspiration for them sending it back to each and everyone one who has helped to create the book with me. Something we can pick up and read when those darker days loom, or simply read when we want to feel strength in numbers full of positive vibes.

All donations will go directly to the Bamford suite and help me create the book so I can send it out to as many people going through this breast cancer journey. This is my way of giving something back, making me feel like there is some use to this horrible illness and giving me hope that strength in numbers will help others not feel alone.

I will also be doing some auctions over the period which have been kindly donated. There are a few charities I would like to support as since being diagnosed they have been there to help me. One of those being Trekstock. TREKSTOCK GETS YOUNG ADULTS IN THEIR 20S AND 30S MOVING AGAIN WHEN CANCER PUTS THEIR LIVES ON HOLD. https://www.trekstock.com/what-we-do

I share my story on my blog Working Girl Life I hope this reaches out to others too.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story

Sarah x x x