Sue

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2015 aged 48, so two years younger than the age mammograms are normally offered. I found a lump in my right breast quite by chance. I didn’t check my breasts regularly as there was no family history of breast cancer. 

One night I just couldn’t get to sleep and crossed my arms in frustration and that’s when I felt a lump on the outside of my right breast; had it been in any other location I wouldn’t have felt it and that’s a sobering thought!

Following an urgent referral, I had an ultrasound and was told that the lump looked cancerous. I returned to the clinic waiting room and tried to read my book but kept staring at the same line thinking about my teenage daughter and what effect this would have on her. My mind wandered further, and I remember thinking – hang on, I’ve found this early and there is an effective treatment, so let’s get on with it. I vowed to stay positive as I believe that the person you are isn’t defined by what happens to you, but how you react to it!

I had almost a year of treatment. First was a lumpectomy but the cancer had spread to the sentinel node. Strange as it sounds, the fact that it had spread probably hit me harder than the original diagnosis. I needed a second operation to remove all my lymph nodes but thankfully no others were affected.

Chemotherapy wasn’t pleasant and was delayed on a couple of occasions due to my adverse reactions; but it was a means to an end. My daughter had the dubious honour of shaving my head as my hair started to fall out – after she’d chosen me a stylish wig!!

Radiotherapy followed and I completed treatment just before Christmas 2015.

I already knew that I had some fantastic family and friends, and I certainly couldn’t have got through it without them. I was, and am, very humbled by all their continuing love and support.

My aim was just to get back to ‘normal’, I never had any grand plans! I do have a few annoying side effects from the ongoing hormone treatment and mild lymphoedema, but am proud that I’m able to do everything I did before.

I was all ready to put cancer behind me and move on with life, but then I heard about the BooBee campaign and realised that my cancer experience was part of what now makes me – me! If I could help others by raising awareness and funds for the groundbreaking research being done by Prevent Breast Cancer, then I would. What was unexpected though was the amazing experiences I’ve had and the friends I’ve made in the process.

I’ve had the opportunity to strut my stuff on the catwalk and it was such an empowering experience that I did it twice!

A year ago I joined the Manchester Dragoneers, a breast cancer dragon boat team, and my life has expanded again. My lymphoedema has improved and my wellbeing too.

I’m so grateful that many of my lovely fellow dragoneers have signed up to be part of the BooBee campaign this year.

I’m so honoured to be Queen Bee to the HoneyBees buzzing around Stockport. I hope that I can encourage and support our Hive to have fun as we educate other women and promote the work of PBC.