Julia George
When life gives you breast cancer...
Fundraising for Walk the Walk
Story
Late last July, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.
I nearly didn't go to the initial appointment because, first of all, I felt a bit silly. It was a tiny lump, probably a Cyst or a hangover from breastfeeding. On top of that, I was running late and had much more important things to do that day, like a meeting about an Alexa bot who sounded like Katy Perry.
But I did go, and while a very lovely Dr was taking multiple, rather invasive biopsies from my right breast I said to her.
"You don't think it's good news do you?"
"Well as you've asked," She said, "Is there anyone you can call?"
I made it all the way to the loo before I properly broke down and called my husband to tell him, I probably had breast cancer.
Another two hours later we had confirmation, I definitely had breast cancer. But it was another five days before I knew what type; extensive grade 2 invasive ductal carcinoma (in case you were wondering).
I know those five days were unbearable but I only remember bits of them now. The words of my baby girl's bedtime story getting stuck in my throat, because I was so scared I might not be around to say them much longer, my dad breaking down on the phone.
Less than three weeks after my diagnosis I had a mastectomy and all the cancerous tumors were removed.
I am lucky. So, so lucky. My breast cancer was average. "The only time in your life you ever want to be average," my surgeon said. The cancer hadn't spread to my lymph nodes, I had caught it super early and I didn't have to have chemotherapy. Just a small dose of radiotherapy and some life-changing drugs for the next five years.
I'm still adjusting to the post-cancer me. You don't go from having had cancer to your normal life again. It's not that simple, or easy.
But I am so grateful to everyone who helped me over the last nine months and I'm doing this walk to say thank you to them. I hope the money raised will pave the way for other people's journeys to be as speedy and positive as mine.
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