Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

On the 28th October 2024 I visited my GP as i had found a lump in my breast. My initial thought was, best get it checked but i bet it’s nothing to worry about.

The GP examined me and straight away said i needed to be seen in Breast Clinic and booked my appointment there and then for a week later.

I visited the clinic, in the same appointment was examined and sent for a mammogram, then an ultrasound which then resulted in a core biopsy.

Now i was worried…

I had a wait of ten days for my results and it was the longest ten days of my life. I went between thinking it will be ok to then thinking the absolute worst.

On the 13th Nov 2024 i went for my results…. You have cancer.

My consultant was quick to say its was very early and treatable but still i couldn’t believe what i was hearing.

The next few weeks were full of more appointments, mammograms, MRI scan, more biopsies and blood tests.

All of the information collected would determine how i would be treated.

It turned out that the cancer covered an area of 8cm so a mastectomy was the only option for treatment.

Lots of appointments to discuss my options and i decided that if possible i would have reconstruction at the time of mastectomy. Consultants felt fairly confident i wouldn’t need radiation or chemotherapy after so reconstruction would be possible.

I felt so very lucky that i had caught it early but distraught that my only option of treatment was as severe as a mastectomy. It didn’t seem real. It just seemed so drastic.

Op was booked for 31st Dec, just had to navigate Christmas before then.

Christmas came and went and i just wanted it all over and done with.

The 31st soon came around and before i knew it i was stood in front of my surgeon while he drew all over me to guide him through the 4 hour op. The next thing i knew i was waking up in recovery and apparently talking about doing shots of baby Guinness with the nurses 🤣

First thing i remember is looking down my gown to see what i looked like i couldn’t see the scar, it was covered and would be for another 2 weeks. I think in hindsight that was a good thing, gave me time to prepare.

The following weeks were a mix of resting and visitors with the odd hospital trips for check up and remove drains. On the last visit for drain removal they took off the dressing and i could see for the first time the new me. I cried when i saw my reflection but deep down i knew it was a small price to pay if they had got all the cancer. To this day i struggle back and forth with how i look but on the other hand what an amazing job my surgeon did. I couldn’t wait for my check up with him to show him how well my scar looked.

On the 29th January i received the news that all the cancer had been removed in my op. Amazing news but i was told the cancer had spread over a 10cm area and a small part had become invasive. I was extremely lucky it hadn’t spread to my lymph nodes.

I battle daily with how close to a different life i was and how lucky i am to hopefully be over the worst although i’ll be on long term medication.

My cancer was Oestrogen positive so my hormones were helping the cancer to grow, my medication now blocks the receptors and hopefully will stop the cancer coming back.

I will be on this medication for a minimum of 5 years and a maximum of 10 years. I will have regular chats with my consultant to check i am ok with the medication has it has a risk of causing other cancers. We will continue to discuss my risks and which outweighs the other.

I found my cancer early and acted quick in seeing my GP they in turn acted super quick to give me the best possible outcome. I cant stress enough how important self checking and early detection is, it literally is the difference between life and death.

What may surprise you is that during my many visits to the Breast Clinic there was sometimes men there also getting checked and diagnosed with breast cancer.

I was fit healthy and under 50 with no family history. It just shows that no one is safe, male or female, older or younger.

You know your body, if anything ever feels or looks different. Get it checked!

I have set up this page to support a fundraiser at RT GYM in Retford. Both myself and my coach at SJ Health and Fitness are putting together a day to raise funds and awareness. We will be doing this on the 17th of May with the support of RT GYM.

Please help and donate anything you can. Every single donation counts and will help to change the lives of people affected by this cruel disease.

Stephanie x