I know this is a bit long but I hope that by the end of it, you will see this as an example of how early detection in cancer can be a game changer…

In 2023, during a regular monthly self-check, I felt a lump in one of my breasts which I am not going to deny took me by surprise… I’ve always checked regularly and I was not expecting to come across this “uninvited visitor”. First reaction? “Ah.. its nothing, it’s all hormonal and it will go away in a few days”…

After 3 days of denial, I re-checked and went through all the steps of the coppafeel checklist (ie change of shape, size, appearance etc etc) - and it was after that I knew I couldn’t ignore it any longer.

48hrs later, I was sitting in a surgeon consulting room where it became more than apparent that this was not “just a lump”… straightaway I had a mammogram, an ultrasound guided biopsy and a 3D mammogram! It was all a bit of a blur and as the reality sank in, I just remember asking the nurse “how am I going to tell my children?”.

A week later, I was told I had Grade 2 invasive lobular carcinoma (ER+ & PR+). I wasn’t shocked, I just knew. A MRI and a US guided biopsy followed as there were areas which needed further investigation. The medical team decided a lumpectomy with sentinel lymph node removal was the way forward but that I would need a 6month MRI to monitor those other lesions.

It was 4 weeks from the day of my first appointment to the surgery day – At times it felt like all was happening slowly (ie waiting for results) but other times I just couldn’t believe how much happened in such a short time. The day we had to tell the children will forever be one of the hardest days ever - all our lives and priorities changed in that moment.

Towards the end of 2023, I started my 15 consecutive radiotherapy sessions. I was fortunate that I didn’t need chemotherapy - the oncologist explained that it was all down to the size of my tumour - If it had been over 20mm then I would’ve also needed chemo. My tumour was 16cm… Remember how early detection is a game changer?

The journey continues: 6months regular appointments with surgeon and oncologist for the next 5 years and 10 years of hormone therapy!

Whilst I recovered from surgery, I put my name down to take part in one of Coppafeel’s annual treks as I was (and still am) determined to support a charity with values that I feel very passionate about and that for obvious reasons are very personal to me.

I got a place in the 2024 trek but due to a small stroke that led to some loss of vision in my left eye I had to defer to this years trek.

So I decided to “upgrade” from the Brecon Beacons to the Sahara desert which means that from the 8th until the 16th November, myself and another 119 trekkers will be happily “skipping” along 100km of sand! This trek won’t be a walk in the park, but I know it will be a unique and rewarding experience in every sense of the word and I am super excited to join Gi Fletcher and her pink army in this adventure.

I would be really grateful if you could help me reach my target of £3000 in support of this charity.

Thank you so much! 😊 and keep checking those boobs regularly! Please…!

Pxxx

Your donations will support my fundraising target, but most importantly CoppaFeel!. They are on a mission to stamp out the late diagnosis of breast cancer by making sure that young people are regularly checking their boobs, pecs and chests and getting to know their bodies in order to have the confidence to see their GP if something just isn’t normal. To find out more about CoppaFeel! head to www.coppafeel.org.