Thursday 14th October 2021 at 12:30 I sat in a chair in a room in the Mermaid Centre and was told Samantha you have breast cancer. I cried. I cried more than I have ever cried in my whole life. I didn't cry for me, I cried because in that moment I was absolutely convinced my son,.Corey would be growing up without his mummy. My heart broke at the thought of someone else taking him to his first day at school. I don't know why but him in his little uniform carrying his little rucksack (I assume will be Paddington) was all I could think about. I drove home, I hugged my mum then I held Corey so tight and I didn't really let go for many weeks. 

Fast forward one week and I am now sitting in a chair in a room at the Sunrise Centre. It's the special cancer bit of Treliske that no-one ever wants to go to. It was the first time I met my Oncologist. I asked him every questions I had thought of in the previous week. I asked him would I lose my eyebrows, is my cancer curable and a hundred questions in between. I shouted at him and I cried at him. He answered all my questions and let me shout. That was the first time I realised how lucky I was to be under the care of the Sunrise. I left that day feeling slightly less anxious and terrified. 

So far I have had 6 lots of chemotherapy, 3 appointments at the Sunrise, several emails to the secretary, several more phone calls to my Breast care nurse and lots of bloods taken. Every single person I have had contact with has cared for and listened to me and reasured me the best they could. 

At a time when all we seem to hear is waiting times are at an all time high and our hospitals.are.in crisis, I can honestly say I have never had a moment in the last 8 weeks that I haven't felt like I have received the very best of care. 

We hope cancer never affects us or our loved ones. But the sad reality is, it probably will at some point. I want to raise as much as I can to help improve the services they the sunrise appeal can offer. 

During this last 8 weeks I can honestly say my family and friends have provided a level of support I never thought I would ever need. And here I find myself at a crossroads in my treatment when I am facing the inevitable hair loss part of this horrendous journey. I choose not to feel sorry for myself. I choose to take control, make it my decision and raise some money at the same time. And here by my side are 3 truly amazing people who have taken this opportunity to stand by my side and brave the shave with me. Words cannot describe how touched I am.  Claire, Tamsin and Lisa, thank you so much. 

Please if you can donate even a couple of quid to help the sunrise appeal continue to provide the amazing services and support that is truly life changing for anyone who has to sit in any of the chairs that I have.  Thank you. 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.