TRACEY

Hi I'm Tracey and this is my story

I was diagnosed straight to stage 4 at the age of 32. My journey began a year before my diagnosis, as I noticed a lump in my right breast and felt pain under my right arm. I visited my GP, who dismissed my concerns, citing my age and the rarity of experiencing pain with breast cancer. Trusting my doctor's judgment, I went about my days, continuing to work as a cook in a local care home, a job I loved..

During the pandemic, it was tough working in a care home. Families were apart, and fear was everywhere. When rules relaxed a bit, my friend and I went on a short trip in September 2020. While on holiday, my friend noticed a strange dip in one side of my right breast. We talked about it and decided to check it out when we got back.

As soon as I got back home, racked with anxiety, I rushed to the emergency doctors with my husband Ben by my side. The t doctor meticulously examined me, his expression gave me concern. Without hesitation, he swiftly arranged for me to be seen at the breast clinic at St. Helens hospital. Little did I know, this pivotal moment would alter the course of my life in the blink of an eye.

I attended my appointment where they did a mammogram , ultrasound and biopsy , a week later I was told I had breast cancer not only in my right breast but also the left breast along with it being in my lymph nodes on both sides.

I started on chemotherapy shortly after my diagnosis but after my first round I had another hammer blow, the cancer had spread to my breast bone and spine.  The news destroyed me and I didn't know what to do or who to turn to. Not long after this I came across a group on Facebook called ‘Stage 4 Deserves More’ it was run by a young woman called Gemma Ellis, she also had secondary breast cancer. I told her how I had lost all my confidence and how I didn't like leaving the house or even talking to anyone , she pointed me in the direction of Maggie’s.  I couldn't believe the support and information I got whilst I was there.  During a visit I was asked to sign up to ‘Maggie’s on the Runway’, a fundraising event taking place that year.  I did and I was offered a place on the Rick’s (Astley) Chick’s cat walk where I made the most amazing friends. I also went on to sign up to the Class of Sass 2021 catwalk, a group of ladies all with cancer diagnoses who were to do a catwalk in underwear! This was well out of my comfort zone but I smashed it! It was a brilliant event for me and my family as they all said it was this that brought me back to life after months of depression.

I will always be grateful for moments like these for giving me my life back when I thought it was already over. Yes, my life is different now and scary but I’m still here and I want to get behind the BooBee 2024 campaign to raise awareness of secondary breast cancer and introducing HOPE, our Queen Bee for this year’s events. 

I joined BooBee in 2021 with Prevent Breast Cancer where I was asked to do the calendar.  I was one of ‘Mrs Decembers’ . I was also part of the Bedlam Bingo event where I appeared the cat walk. During this year I also joined them on a float around Manchester in the Pride Parade it was an amazing experience. This year I am one of the campaign’s “Magnificent 7”to promote our special bee HOPE and hoping to raise awareness of SBC.  

Let's get raising awareness and funds for our chosen charities Make 2nds Count &  Prevent Breast Cancer ….and let's have some fun along the way.

Thanks for taking the time to read/listen to this