Welcome to my fundraising page for CoppaFeel!

In June, I will set out on a challenging, extraordinary and possibly life-changing trek, all in the name of checking chests. Along with Giovanna Fletcher and some other famous faces, I will embark on a 5 day trek on the Isle of Skye, in a bid to raise funds towards CoppaFeel's life-saving mission. I need to raise £2,500.

The trek is 100km and I’ll be walking approx 9 hours a day. I am training hard to achieve this as my fitness and strength has deteriorated over 4 months of chemotherapy and been lost following surgery.

For those who don’t know, here’s how it all started and where I’m at now…On 31.07.24, I was diagnosed with triple-positive breast cancer. The lump from an enlarged lymph node under my armpit (not a lump in my breast) had alerted me to a problem. It appeared suddenly, on 28.06.24, and was large and very painful. I was reassured it was nothing of concern and given antibiotics, but my ‘curious’ nature landed me in the breast clinic having a mammogram (which was completely clear!) and a biopsy (which the stains later confirmed breast cancer). On 07.08.24, after an anxious week-long wait I was told even though the cancer had migrated, it had not metastasised and is curative. However, my cancer is occult and has not been found in my breast, still.

It’s been a whirlwind since diagnosis. I’ve given lots of blood samples; had a CT scan, MRI scan, Tomosynthesis (more detailed mammogram), and 4 echocardiograms; had a PICC line inserted for 18 weeks, and met some exceptional nurses, doctors and health care professionals. I’m now best friends with the tea lady at the Cancer Centre. I’ve had 6 rounds of intravenous chemotherapy & anti-HER2 medication, from 23.08.24 to Christmas. I lost a lot of hair (head and body) and shaved the rest off my head to take control of the hair loss. I’ve had fun wearing wigs. I had my eyebrows micro-bladed to prevent me looking really odd. I’ve worked as much as I could through chemo, to keep me occupied/sane and help the bank balance. It’s been tough. Chemo is tough.

On 15.01.25, I had a bilateral (double) mastectomy and DIEP flap reconstruction (using tummy fat as material) plus axilla (armpit) lymph node removal. The surgery was a whopping 8 hours but I was mobilised straight away. I feel good. It forced me to take a bit of time off work, but I became bored so I’m back.

I then developed deep rooted ‘cording’ (aka axillary web syndrome) in my arms and required 4 weeks of deep tissue massage from a specialist physio to break down the tight, rope-like structures that have formed under the skin post-surgery. It was unbelievably painful. I remain at risk of lymphedema.

On 10.03.25, I discovered in the middle of what I thought was a routine ultrasound, that the titanium marker in the cancerous lymph node remained in my body. That lymph node, being the only place cancerous cells had been found, should have been removed and with it the titanium marker in my 8 hour operation. Flabbergasted, I was whisked back in for further surgery, on 18.03.25. This time they inserted a wire into the lymph node to guide the way to the cancerous spot.

On 31.03.25, my breast surgeon relayed the pathology results that the correct lymph node, with the titanium marker, had been removed and it contained no cancerous cells but had scarring to confirm it had been there. The chemo had done its job and blasted it to oblivion. There was no evidence of metastasis.

I do not need radiotherapy, thankfully. I have resumed immunotherapy (a 7 minute syringe into my thigh this time) for 12 rounds and have started hormone therapy for 5 to 10 years (a tablet a day).

Chemotherapy threw me into early menopause so I have symptoms of that too. I'm now receiving Zoladex injections which implants a hormone blocker into my abdomen every 4 weeks for the next 2-3 years. Hello, forced menopause!

I’m 46, have no family history of cancer, and no genetic predisposition. My diagnosis came as a total shock. I am fortunate and very grateful to say I am now cancer free. That’s because I acted fast and demanded answers. An experience like this can be positive. It can deepen your empathy, sharpen your focus, and test your strength, resilience and determination.

My advice is: ACT the minute you find something that doesn't seem right; QUESTION what's happening and why; and TALK about it. There is nothing to be ashamed of, it is not embarrassing, and we must share our experiences to save lives.

Your donations will not only support my personal fundraising target, but more importantly CoppaFeel! They are determined to stamp out the late diagnosis of breast cancer by making sure that young people are regularly checking their boobs, pecs (yes, men can get breast cancer too!) and chests and getting to know their bodies in order to have the confidence to see their GP if something just doesn't feel normal.

Thanks so much for your donation & support.

To find out more about CoppaFeel! head to www.coppafeel.org.

Much love,

Victoria (Vic/Frag) x