In November 2018, I was first diagnosed with breast cancer on my left side. I was lucky! It was a "high grade DCIS" - an early pre cancer that had to be removed before it became a bigger problem. I had surgery with reconstruction performed at the same time in February 2019 and after the pathology showed a small area of "micro invasion" I was offered a course of radiotherapy. Thereafter, I continued with further reconstruction and, in April 2021 my treatment was complete and I was discharged. "Any problems - do contact us". The door had been left open but I could move on and begin to look forward to the future.
Two months later in June 2021, I noticed a rash on my right breast and tests revealed it was "inflammatory breast cancer" which had spread to the lymph.
It was not related to the left side, but was made clear this was a totally different ball game. 6 months of gruelling chemotherapy, then surgery and radiotherapy followed. Because tests had shown this cancer was HER2 positive I was then offered injections every 3 weeks for a year and infusions to help prevent any spread to the bones every 6 months. This is where I am now.
Newbury Cancer Care and The Rosemary Centre - West Berkshire Community Hospital (WBCH)
The Rosemary Centre was where I initially went every Monday to meet with my breast support group - a wonderful group of ladies where we could share our stories, support each other and most importantly to laugh. It became quite a lifeline and somewhere I would look forward to going every week. Sadly because of COVID, our meetings had to stop but I returned during my chemotherapy treatment every week to have my PICC line flushed through. Those visits became incredibly important - not only from a medical point of view but somewhere I could talk and the nursing staff were so kind and caring and always more than willing to listen.
My chemotherapy treatment was at Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading and the care from the nursing staff was excellent. They work between there and the WBCH where I was on the waiting list for my treatment as it is much more local to me.
I would like to pay tribute to EVERYONE involved in my treatment throughout - my oncologist, surgeon, chemo nursing staff and breast care nurses. The care I have received has been of the highest standard and it's thanks to them I had 100% response and am currently cancer free. My family and friends have been a huge support on this journey - thank you from the bottom of my heart.
My walk is to raise money for Newbury Cancer Care and the Rosemary Centre (
https://www.newburycancercare.org.uk) so they can buy any equipment necessary to enhance the amazing care they already give. I am aiming to walk 100 circuits of Seige Cross field in Thatcham, where I walk with our dog most days - 50 circuits each day starting at 9.00am. There are two fields and it is the upper one with the starting point at the crossed paths beside the playpark.
https://thatchamtowncouncil.gov.uk/local-facilities/listing/seigcross-outdoor-gym
If you and any furry friends would like to join me for 1 or 2 circuits (or more) that would be fantastic.
Thank you so much for your donation and for supporting me.
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