Lorraine's Story

Dear Dr. I found a breast lump 😳 Flash back to July 2019, aged 39. Fit, healthy, non smoker, active runner. Wife. Self employed mom of 3.

A Monday morning after a run I happened to spot a weird puckering on the underneath of my right breast. I was brushing my teeth, waiting to have a shower and my robe was opened slightly. Never before had a looked or examined myself but I knew it didn't look right.

I contacted my doctor straight away, I was into him the next day. Called to the breast clinic 2 x wks later and told those devastating news "it's cancer". I went numb, I couldn't believe it. I did everything right 💔

Everything moved so fast. Lumpectomy surgery in September 2019 with lymphnode clearance. 2nd no surgery to get clear margins. Started 3 months of Chemotherapy in December 2019, followed by 23 rounds of radiotherapy. A zoladex injection for 2 x years to shut down my ovaries and I eventually had an oophorectomey in 2022 to remove my tubes and ovaries.

The cancer I was diagnosed with was ER+PR+HR-. So it was the best decision for me to remove all estrogen out of my body and I was grateful to have that choice as my family was complete.

Its now December 2024, awaiting some cosmetic surgery to fix my right breast which I'm due to have done in January 2025.

It was a roller coaster of emotions. Facing the possibility of death made me realise the importance of Self-care, self love and time. Slowing down. Breathing. Putting myself first before the kids. Like the aeroplane, put on my oxygen mask first. As mothers we do leave ourselves to the end of the line.

Cancer has thought me gratitude. I'm grateful for my health and my family. I'm grateful for second chance in life. I've learnt to slow down. I've get out in nature everyday for a walk. I've emersed myself in cold water tgerapy which has been my saving grace for the sweats and menopause side effects.

I'm so much happier now, I accept and appreciate the small things in life. I can thank cancer for teaching me to stop, look and listen and not to sweat the small things.

I never invited that disease into my body. I didn't do anything wrong but one things for sure there is an amazing life after cancer and recovery is in your hands and life can be wonderful again. X Lorraine