Real Life Stories

Our amazing and beautiful Charlotte was diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2017 when she was 30 years old.

I first discovered my lump in December 2016. I was heavily pregnant and felt a pea sized lump while having a shower. I mentioned it to my consultant who struggled to even find the lump. She wasn’t concerned and said just to keep an eye on it. Being pregnant it could just be a blocked milk duct. Due to other issues in my pregnancy I had to have a planned induction which led to an emergency c section and the lump being forgotten.

After the birth of my baby boy in January I noticed the lump seemed to be getting bigger. By the end of February the lump had grown even more and it was protruding from my skin so I booked an appointment to see my GP. She measured the lump and referred me to the breast clinic at Salisbury hospital.

I was seen at the breast clinic within two weeks. I met with the consultant who said she wanted me to have an ultrasound to check the lump wasn’t anything to worry about as it had grown so quickly. I had the ultrasound done which led to a core needle biopsy.

I was invited back to the breast clinic to collect my results where I was told I had breast cancer. I was told the lump was 4cm. It was grade 3, aggressive and had the potential to be invasive. I was lucky that I had taken my husband and mum to the appointment with me as I didn’t remember much after that. I just cried and cried and begged the consultant to stop talking. I had a two and half month old baby at home. I was supposed to be off enjoying my new born and my maternity leave and I was sat there being told I had cancer. The breast specialist nurse took us to the ‘Bumble Bee’ room where we were given time to try and process all the information we had just been given. The Salisbury Specialist Breast Nurses throughout were and are fantastic support!

The more detailed scans then began. I went straight for a mammogram and a few days later had an MRI, CT and bone scan to investigate if the cancer had spread. Finally, I had a needle biopsy of my lymph nodes.

Two weeks later I was invited back for my test results where I was told that the cancer hadn’t spread yet but had begun to make its way into my lymph nodes. Not long after I met with an oncology consultant who said I needed to begin chemotherapy ASAP as they wanted to stop it from making its way out of the affected area any more than it already had and wanted to shrink the lump before they removed the breast.

My treatment plan consisted of six sessions of chemotherapy, a mastectomy and auxiliary clearance of the lymph nodes followed by fifteen doses of radiotherapy. The chemotherapy was very difficult. I was exhausted and lost all of my hair and almost my nails! I did cope with the nausea but not all of the other side effects but I was dependant on all the help offered to me to help cope with my little boy. I had a PIC line for several months which helped ease the discomfort of the treatments. The chemo did help shrink the tumour and was well worth the struggle. The Mastectomy was carried out in October and really was life-changing. I struggled on so many levels following this , not least because of discomfort and finding the right bras and prosthesis. That’s when I found ‘Boobs’ who were fantastic with their support both in visiting me, talking to me and helping me with my prosthesis. My Radiotherapy treatment was completed in January 2018. October 18th 2018 I had a full breast reconstruction and stepped into the next phase of my life. Thank you Boobs for being there when I needed you. I hope to be there for you in the future 

Another of our brave and amazing ladies Fiona.

I always thought I wouldn’t get it – my mum is in her 80’s, have 3 older sisters and absolutely no family history. But I did.

The morning I found my lump, every thought under the sun went through my mind. But I didn’t hesitate in contacting the doctors.

When I went to the doctors they noted the lump being 1cm. Twelve days later at ultrasound (at hospital) they noted it as being 2cm. Twelve days after that I was in surgery. They removed a 4cm tumour and it had spread to my lymph nodes (but only just). To give me every possible chance they removed 12 lymph nodes.

The hospital told me that it was a grade 3 tumour (4 being the highest) and was fast and aggressive growing. Surgery was at the beginning of March and they reckoned that it has only been there since Christmas. Three months!!!!

I went through six doses of chemotherapy and twenty doses of radiotherapy.

My daughters at the time were 9 (near 10) and just turned 12.

Now 7 1/2 years cl

Another amazing and beautiful lady.

Being diagnosed at 34 was a massive shock, I was absolutely not worried about the lump I had found, but knew I needed to do the right thing and get it checked. My GP was also not concerned, but did the right thing and sent me to the breast clinic at Salisbury. That same day I was told that scans looked “suspicious” and that I needed further tests, I was told to bring someone with me to get the results. Getting the results brought mixed emotions, I was told it was extremely aggressive yet had been caught early. I was told a mastectomy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radio therapy and ongoing hormone treatment would be effective and should leave me cured, (and very tired!!) It was the hardest year of my life, but my family, friends and my son got me through it and now I have the amazing support of all the amazing ladies at boobs and the amazing volunteers to keep me positive about the future. My most recent treatment came in August, 4 years after my first mastectomy, I requested a second mastectomy to give me symmetry. My oncologist was more than happy to put me forward for this and even said that because I was high risk of another breast cancer it would be a very sensible thing to do. So I am now living happily flat and waiting for the scar to heal so I can add another tattoo!

My advice to everyone is always see the doctor when something is different, if you think you are too young or low risk or its just a cyst, just get it checked because it could save your life! Xx

My big C journey.

At the age of 54 I had a routine mammogram. Had letter a few days later asking me to go for a biopsy in Southampton. Had tests and had to wait 2 weeks for my results. It felt like a lifetime.

Went back to Southampton and was told I had Breast Cancer. It was devastating. Hubby Robin was with me and we both just cried.

Had a Mastectomy in August 2011. This was followed by 6 sessions of chemotherapy which was pretty bad. Felt like shit. This was followed by 12 months of Herceptin.

3 years later i decided to have a reconstruction. This was an 8 hour operation. Recovered well in time. Then had my remaining boob reduced in size to even them up. They found pre cancerous cells. This meant it needed removing. This was done with reconstruction at the same time.

My cancer was not a lump so without a mammogram things could have been a lot worse.

Here i am now 10 years later feeling really well.

Any worries get it checked.

Love to all.

Yasmin was 45, when she tied the knot on April 1, 2017 – three years to the day after she was matched with Jason on the dating app tinder

Settling in to married life just weeks after the honeymoon, Yasmin found a lump in her right breast while showering.

I was lucky my GP was really supportive and referred me right away for a mammogram (my first) and what I felt in my right breast turned out to be fine but my first mammogram revealed a tumour in my left breast (that I wouldn’t have been able to feel for another year). I was so lucky I felt something and went to the doctor – I’m a real believer in knowing yourself and trusting your instincts. I am lucky to have had a lumpectomy, radiotherapy and then prescribed tamoxifen, but the radiotherapy and aftermath has left me feeling very tired, even a few years down the line. I consider myself to be very lucky. I was a newly wed and looking forward to starting a family via IVF and the hormones involved meant it wasn’t safe for me to continue down that road, that is still very difficult but I know I couldn’t even contemplate being a parent if I wasn’t prioritising being healthy myself.

Yasmin wishes to raise awareness of the condition, which affects one in eight women in the UK at some point in their lives, to help other sufferers.

Please don’t hesitate to contact BooBs if there is anything we can help with xxx