A Cancer Journey for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

CT, a previous Cornish resident, shared her journey with us for Breast Cancer Awareness Month when she learnt of the awareness campaign by the Macmillan Team at Age UK Cornwall & The Isles of Scilly. She “want(ed) others to gain an insight into what their journey may contain…” and to help those in the Cornish community affected by cancer. Everyone’s journey is different, but through hearing people’s stories, we can increase awareness and understanding. The Macmillan Team at Age UK Cornwall & The Isles of Scilly wants to highlight the importance of being more informed about cancer’s direct and indirect impact.

For CT, expressing her story has been cathartic –

 “ For me, this has been so good – the first time I have been able to let it out!” 

Here is CT’s breast cancer story, in her own words–

“So sorry – work too busy to make the annual mammogram – can I rearrange?”

Three times I rearranged my appointment – work came first, and besides, I was fit and healthy, no lumps and bumps, and crazy busy. A check-up just wasn’t a priority – how wrong was I?!

I attended the standard mammogram, jumped in the car and drove home – all done, box ticked, get on with life.

Two days later – just as lockdown hit, I had the call: “More tests required”.

In my head it was simple, the mammogram wasn’t clear, so another 20-minute appointment and they would be happy. Mmmm…not so!

The following day, I went back to the hospital and faced 4 hours of tests – x-rays, more mammograms, biopsy after biopsy, ultrasound. I was in shock – even though they were very professional and said it was probably just two small calcifications. They said to wait for the results in two weeks.

So, when they rang in a week and booked me in for a deeper biopsy, I was shocked again.

After I lost my mother to bone cancer –it had always been in the back of my mind! I was only 21, and she was only 62.

I had the biopsy and expected the results in a week, so again, shocked when my consultant called me after two days,but I was prepared this time. I live on my own, and fortunately, my daughter was over from Dubai. She drove me to the hospital but she had to wait in the car due to Covid. Strangely I was calm when I was told that it was DCIS cancer - the ‘best type to have’ - and I probably wouldn’t need chemo, but would need an operation. I shut down; the rest was a blur.

I own up – I sat in the car and sobbed. Not for myself, but for my daughter, as history was repeating itself. I was more worried about her and how she would cope with the news, but she was amazingly strong!

In my mind, I wouldn’t hear anything for months. However, just a few days later, we packed the car up and were just having breakfast before I took my daughter to the airport when I had THE call.

“The DR’s PA here – we need you in for a full mastectomy this time next week.”

I lost it. I couldn’t face it alone, but my daughter calmly took the phone, finished the call and cancelled her flight. Kettle on and over lots of strong tea, we talked it all through. She was an amazing support, and I couldn’t have coped without her.

I admit, as a single 57-year-old, it wasn’t the fear of dying. It was the thought of being lopsided.

They couldn’t put an implant in as it was deemed not necessary during Covid.  I couldn’t have a double mastectomy either, as again, it wasn't an essential procedure. I was more concerned about how I would look than my prognosis.

We kept busy for a week as I was on furlough and then, the dreaded day came.

The night before, I cuddled my right breast and said my goodbyes. It felt so sad like I was losing a part of me: the part of me that had fed my two precious daughters.

I walked into the hospital with an overnight bag – terrified but resigned. I even had to walk into the operating theatre; it was truly surreal!

In truth – the op was fine! I had a nerve block so it wasn’t as painful as I thought.

The following day, I was fitted with a ‘softie’ and a bra (not the most attractive thing, but comfy!), and I went home. I immediately started my physio exercises. I constantly cuddled my lovely heart-shaped cushion under my arm, which was a donation from a local charity - a must for anyone facing the same op.

Now, summarising six months later– going through the treatment, I had no time to think. It was like being on a conveyor belt, just doing as I was told and getting on with it.

Thankfully it was during the lockdown as I had time off, but the money was still coming in anyway, so perhaps it was a good time to face cancer, without the worry of work. (Being ever practical!)

After the op, I had to have the fluid drained under my arm at the hospital. The nurses and their support was amazing. Due to Covid, however, they were unable to offer me the group therapy or alternative therapies, so I had to cope without them. Sadly, the hormone treatment was making me so ill with hot flushes, during a heatwave, and an upset tum, I lost my confidence and didn’t want to go out.

Mentally I really struggled with that – how could I have been so well and have no idea that I had cancer, and then due to the cancer treatment be so ill?

The mental side of this has been the hardest, and even now, I am struggling with how I look. Fortunately, I am on the list for reconstructive surgery next year, and the surgeons will be using some of my podgy tummy to make a new right breast. To be fair, I am more delighted that I will have a tummy tuck than the recon (but how vain am I?!)

I was told that there was 6cm of precancer and 7mm of HER2 positive, aggressive cancer.

In my head, the cancer had been cut away and the surgeon said I didn’t need chemo. To then be told by the oncologist that I had an 80% chance of making it to 10 years, I was totally shocked. No one prepared me for such a blunt statement.

I have found mindfulness sessions via zoom each week and support from a nutritionist really helpful in my journey. So far, I have lost a stone and a half and bought a horse so that I can do what I love. I’m determined to live life to the full, and I’m even returning to work. I just wish there wasn’t Covid else I would have bought the round the world plane ticket and be hugging an Elephant in Sri Lanka!

If you get an appointment for a routine test, just do it! Don’t put it off.  Go and do what the professionals tell you to do.