In 2003 my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer and following a mastectomy was given the 'all clear.' 

In 2011 her cancer re-presented itself through a lump in her neck. At this point she was told it was treatable not curable. Over the past 7 years she has received several different medical treatments of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, Herceptin. Along with this comes numerous consultant appointments, blood tests, scans, pain management appointments, physio to name a few.

Earlier this year she began struggling edema in her right arm, due to a tumour growth under her arm and lymph node damage. This has slowly progressed to her losing nearly all movement and function of her arm. It also became evident that the cancer cells have spread to her lungs. She is once again engaging in a course of aggressive chemotherapy to hopefully shrink the tumours. 

I had secretly said to myself that when she started another course of chemo I was going to shave my hair off also. I want to show support and solidarity to my mum and all others experience chemotherapy while at the same time raise some money for a charity of her choice. Having discussed this with my husband and boys I approached my mum and
dad. Their initial reaction was 'no!!' however once I explained my reasons and a few tears were shed she came around to the idea and elected York Against Cancer as the charity of choice. 

During the past 7 years my mum has never let cancer win, she has never been a victim of it, she has kept smiling and positive and quite simply she is winning at life!!! I am a passenger in this journey and horrendous as this horrible cruel disease and harsh it is to live through, I feel blessed. Blessed we have had this time, blessed we have been given the opportunity to do things together and create hundreds of memories. So many families don’t have that opportunity.

My mum is my hero and I am in awe of her, her strength, her determination, her bravery and her positivity. So, shaving my head, as momentous a thing as it is, is nothing compared to what she lives through and what all other people living with cancer and chemo must endure. 

I love you mama x

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