Going through cancer treatment is a lonely process despite having lots of people around you

I was 47 with no family history of breast cancer. It came as a shock.

When I was diagnosed, the plan was already in place for me – lumpectomy, chemotherapy, then radiotherapy.

I said from the day I was diagnosed I wanted a bilateral mastectomy. I no longer trusted my breasts, in fact, I hated them, so I needed to have them taken for my own mental health.

I went through the lumpectomy so that chemotherapy could get started.

Chemotherapy for me was relatively easy. I'd read horror stories about how awful it can be, but that may not always be the case. I didn’t get any notable side effects other than losing my hair and very low neutrophils. This led to a few delays which really affected my well-being. I would get exceptionally upset.

During treatment I had 4 different chemotherapy drugs – I managed 4 rounds of EC, 11 rounds of paclitaxel (not 12), and 4 rounds of carboplatin. I also had and continue to have infusions of the bone strengthening drug Zometa. Throughout these 5 months, I walked every day, I worked, I tried to carry on. I think because of this, my family and friends would say I was very determined.

Once chemotherapy had finished, I revisited the idea of a bilateral mastectomy. This wasn’t required but I needed to have it for my own mental health, and thankfully, my medical team supported me. I had this surgery in December 2023.

There were many times during my treatment when emotionally, I took a turn for the worse.

I made use of Breast Cancer Now to gather information. This was through their website information and booklets, many of which were given to me at my diagnosis. I also spoke with someone when I didn’t know what to do about requesting G-CSF treatment during chemotherapy.

A couple of months after I finished treatment, I attended a Moving Forward Course which was brilliant. It gave me the opportunity to speak with other women who had gone through breast cancer treatment. I didn’t feel like I was on my own – trust me, going through cancer treatment is a lonely process despite having lots of people around you.

I’ve been a teacher since 1997 and have always worked in small teams. My team at work would check in with me constantly throughout my treatment either by emails, Teams calls, phone calls or joining me in the park for our team meetings. They also gave me a box of gifts to open if I felt down – this was amazing.

I’ve decided to hold an Afternoon Tea for Breast Cancer Now this August

My work team of 11 people have been greatly affected by breast cancer. Sadly, in December 2023 one of our ex-colleagues died from secondary breast cancer after receiving treatment for some time. Then there was me.

We’ve also all heard stories from people we speak to in schools about how they’ve been affected by breast cancer. So we’ve decided to hold an Afternoon Tea for Breast Cancer Now to raise money, but also raise awareness.

As a team, we’re going to be having a bake sale and holding a raffle for a ‘Pamper Hamper’. Ideally, what we would like is for the people attending to take away information and share it, so that a greater awareness is raised alongside fundraising.

I asked my colleagues what they’re looking forward to most about our event. Everyone agreed the main motivators are raising money for a fantastic charity, raising the topic of breast awareness, and all getting together to remember our friend.