Diagnosis:

At age 43, I was diagnosed with cancer. I noticed a small, flat and uneven lump in my right breast. After visiting the doctor, I was told that it wasn’t important and not to worry about it. However, over the next few weeks, it kept growing. I phoned the GP surgery 3 times and was told each time that the lump was nothing to worry about. Fortunately, the mammography unit at my local hospital on the Isle of Wight had a cancellation, they phoned me and asked if I would like the appointment. I jumped at the chance.

Within a week, I received news that the lump was in fact cancerous, and the cancer was within 2 millimetres of the chest wall. My diagnosis taught me that if you think something isn’t right don’t give up trying to get properly tested and diagnosed.

Being diagnosed with cancer is a terrible shock. When I was told the awful news, I knew that I would have whatever treatment was needed. I wanted to live!

Staying positive during my illness:

I developed cancer four years after my mother died of a cancerous brain tumour. I think the sorrow and pain of watching her suffer helped me to deal with my own illness.

I underwent a full mastectomy of my right breast and received radiotherapy. I know that some women worry about having to have breast surgery but, when it comes down to it, life is so precious, and you should take the best treatment that is offered to you. I didn’t hesitate to have the surgery and begin treatment.

At the time, my son was only 10 and my daughter was taking a year out and travelling around Australia. I remember lying in hospital the day following my mastectomy and my son visiting, he was smiling and holding a trophy that he had won. He was so proud and had tried his best for my sake. My focus was trying to preserve some sense of normality for my young son. Cancer can be so hard on the children of those afflicted.

Although I was going through a painfully difficult time, I searched for positive influences to help keep me distracted. During my illness, I learned to drive and studied subjects in Natural History where I managed to gain diplomas with distinctions. I also learned how to play the flute, it was something I always wanted to try – it certainly helped take my mind off the cancer diagnosis and following treatments, I even had the privilege of playing with the Isle of Wight Sottish Fiddlers at the O2,this was extremely exciting.

Post-surgery lingerie and swimwear:

When navigating my journey into post-surgery lingerie, Nicola Jane have always been kind and helpful. For years, the Padded T-shirt bras by Nicola Jane have always been my go-to and the swimwear is the absolute best. Currently, my favourite bra is the Lynn Zip front Fastening bra by Anita.

Second cancer diagnosis:

Unfortunately, 3 years later, I developed secondary cancer in my shoulder which I think was due to the lack of chemotherapy offered during my first cancer diagnosis. I was given a prognosis of 5 years to live, I refused to accept this and twenty years later I’m living the life I always wanted.

There have been some downsides following my diagnosis, such as experiencing bone necrosis of the jaw following a tooth extraction. This is the result of 18 years on Zometa, given as a transfusion to help prevent cancer spread and to strengthen the bones. I also went through a difficult divorce, but this resulted in finding the love of my life.

Cancer diagnosis is frightening, but it makes you realise how precious life is and to do the things you want to do rather than put them off. It gave me the courage to change my life around completely, taking steps I’d never have done otherwise. I’ve achieved so much since my diagnosis, such as, passing my driving test at the age of 45 and going abroad for the first time. I have now travelled around Europe, Thailand and the United States.

To everyone who is living with cancer I would say, don’t let it define who you are. Cancer treatment has come such a long way since I was first diagnosed, and new treatments are being found.

Future plans:

After meeting the love of my life, I moved to Belgium (with my children’s blessing) where I have been happily married for 20 years. My husband and I are currently designing our own dream home and have recently become grandparents.

We also own a successful diamond manufacturing company, primarily making diamond blades for tools used in eye surgery, amongst other things. We are now in the early stages of planning to open a shop selling lab grown, diamond jewellery – we are very excited about this.

Although my flute playing days are over due to arthritis, I have found a new passion for writing. Several of my poems and short stories have been published and I’m planning to write something a bit longer. I’ve been very busy, and incredibly lucky.

It wasn’t until after my cancer treatment that I realised that you can’t put off your dreams until tomorrow, you must grab life with both hands and live it to the fullest. We have such a wonderful planet, and I feel so very lucky to be alive on it.