I often checked myself and was aware my breasts were dense at different parts of my cycle (normal) but always softened towards the end of the month. But this day I found a mass , a solid fibrous mass which I could move , not a small lump or pea sized . It stretched around the top of outside of my left breast and around and underneath it. It measured 5cm. This one didn’t soften.
I’ve never ignored health signs, my Mum taught me that little gem, so making a doctors appointment and hastily being sent for a mammogram didn’t phase me at all. I was at in the department within a week. I was given a biopsy at the same time .
That was Thursday, my friend Kate came with me. My appointment for the Consultant and results were Monday. The day after my dads 70th birthday party, we didn’t tell anyone. Didnt really think we would have to.
My lovely Gray came with me and we were given the results , prognosis and treatment plan as tears flooded and my brain shut down.
A cancerous tumour that had been growing for some time, a large mass, small breasts so mastectomy, removal of lymphnodes to detect if the cancer had spread , possible chemotherapy, radiotherapy ,
It was a month before my operation was scheduled and so much to think about. Telling the boys, parents my brother.. it was very hard emotional time.
The operation went well… but the cancer had spread which tipped me over into the deluxe treatment of 7 months chemotherapy and 5 weeks @5x week radiotherapy. I did have an implant in but a year later had to have it removed as my body rejected it. I followed on with 5yrs Tamoxifen and 2 years Arimidex , mammogram follow ups and excellent holistic care.
And a stick on prosthesis !
This year I’m in the process of reconstruction.
I SURVIVED it all ….. the rollercoaster of emotions , the overnight menopause and all the treatment !!!
14yrs later I am a SURVIVOR .
The Know Your Normal Calendar is now available to purchase here. At least £5 from the sale of each calendar will be sent to our chosen charities – Coppafeel! & Kicks Count. 