Jodie tells us how she felt when she was diagnosed at 31 as a young mum, and how she's raising awareness among young women through her Afternoon Tea.
Jodie tells us how she felt when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at 31 as a young mum, and how she's raising awareness among young women through her Afternoon Tea.
It was a journey I never thought I would take
The year 2015 started brilliantly. I had just returned from my honeymoon and celebrated my daughter's second birthday.
Then in April, I felt a lump. Unconcerned, I visited the doctor. I remember her saying, 'It's probably just a cyst, you’re very young for it to be anything sinister,' but I was referred to the hospital for further investigation.
I was only 31 and an active mum, wife and solicitor, so surely it couldn't be cancer.
Two weeks later during my scan I was informed that it looked like a tumour and I needed a biopsy.
'Don't worry,' I was told, 'seven out of ten are benign'.
Little did I know that this was going to be the start of a journey that I never thought I would take.
I was diagnosed with grade 3, hormone positive, invasive breast cancer. An MRI scan showed it was more aggressive than they had first thought.
Within three weeks of hearing those words – 'You’ve got breast cancer' – I had undergone a mastectomy with reconstruction, lymph node removal and had a port fitted ready for chemotherapy.
I left hospital armed with a date to start my first three-month cycle of weekly chemotherapy.
I didn't want to share my worries with friends and family
Lying in bed at home, the enormity of what was happening hit me. I decided I needed to obtain as much information as I could.
This is when I found Breast Cancer Care. Their website is packed with information and speaking to their specialist nurses I started to fully understand the journey that I was on.
I started using the Forum to talk to other young women who had breast cancer, which was a great comfort at what seemed like a very isolated time. I have the most amazing family and friends, but I found it so hard to see their sadness that I didn't want to share my worries with them.
Breast Cancer Care was there to discuss my fears when I felt I couldn’t share them with those closest to me.
I tested positive for the altered BRCA2 gene
The months passed and so did the chemotherapy sessions and it was all going as well as it could. Then we were hit with bad news.
First I had troubles with my heart due to the chemotherapy. And then I tested positive for the altered BRCA2 gene. This meant an increased risk of developing breast cancer again, or ovarian cancer. I kept using Breast Cancer Care's services and ended up volunteering to help set up an Essex fundraising group.
In August 2016 I had my ovaries and fallopian tubes removed to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer, and in 2017 underwent the removal of my other breast.
Now, I am hoping that tamoxifen, a healthier diet and lifestyle and the love of my family and friends will keep me cancer free. I am stronger and more determined than ever.
I wondered what life without me would be like for my child
When I was first diagnosed, my initial thought was: 'How long will I be around for?'
Having a small child makes you think about how they will grow up if you're not there.
I knew our lives would change. I was in hospital all the time and couldn't be around for my daughter like before.
I put a lot of pressure on myself. I was always an active mum and I felt guilty that I couldn't do the same things anymore.
I learnt to focus on moments that mattered with my daughter
I realised a couple of months into my treatment that I could still spend quality time with my daughter, but in a different way. We learnt to interact with each other together in the house rather than running around outside.
My tip to young mums is to take a step back and refocus. Choose the moments that are important to you. It's better to have the energy to do one thing than wear yourself out trying to do everything.
We do need to protect children, but the more you share with them, the more they understand and the better they will react. I think their responses will surprise you.
What better way to raise awareness than an Afternoon Tea with friends?
During my treatment I decided to raise awareness of breast cancer, especially in younger women.
I chopped my hair into a pixie cut to donate it to The Princess Trust and then I set about organising an Afternoon Tea for Breast Cancer Care.
What better way to raise awareness and money than an afternoon with loved ones eating cake and drinking Pimm's?
I started getting a bit creative and secured raffles prizes and auction items.
I even managed to get my local paper on board to write an article to spread the word that we need to check our breasts regardless of age. It was a huge success and I raised nearly £10,000.
Breast Cancer Care has been invaluable
Breast Cancer Care and their wonderful services have been invaluable to me throughout my treatment.
Every donation helps Breast Cancer Care reach more people like me. It proves that the kindness and love of strangers is so heart-warming.
Join Jodie this July and hold your own Afternoon Tea, raising awareness and supporting our services for anyone affected by breast cancer.