Cancer Diagnosis & Treatment

I was diagnosed with breast cancer nine years ago at the age of 37. I was also diagnosed with the BRCA1 gene at the same time. It all came as a massive shock and the start of a completely new life for me.

Believe it or not but my life changed for the better after my diagnosis. Don't get me wrong, I had a lovely life, but I was always very negative and afraid things were going to go wrong.

I went through six rounds of chemo and unfortunately suffered many side effects which made life tough. I had four weeks of radiotherapy, then a mastectomy and reconstruction. I decided on double mastectomy surgery and having my ovaries removed because of the BRCA1 gene.

After my surgery, I was so lucky to be told I was cancer free – it was the best news ever! It’s strange because cancer changed my mindset. I went from the most negative person to being so positive, at no point did I believe I wouldn’t be cancer free.

Complications After Surgery

I had my double mastectomy with reconstruction surgery and everything was fine, life was good, I had even decided to try dating again. I had been with my now husband for only three months when I was taken ill again, at the time they thought I had an infection. The decision was made to remove my left-side implant, that's all I remember.

I woke from a coma three days later and was told I almost died. Having another implant wasn’t recommended, so I started wearing a breast form. It was a lot to get used to! Especially as a younger woman. However, I started to get back to my ‘new normal’ with help from therapy.

Two weeks before I was due to get married, I had another infection in my right-side implant which again resulted in emergency surgery. Luckily the infection wasn't as bad as the first time, so I was able to go ahead with the wedding. Unfortunately, I ended up in hospital a week later.

Current Life

It's been three years since I had my right-side implant removed and I now wear a breast form on both sides - for the most part I'm happy and positive. I love that there are websites like Nicola Jane that have a great selection of bras and swimwear.

I'm not sure what the future holds and whether I would go through further surgery, but I'm happy and most importantly, healthy. I'll be 10 years cancer free this year and I can't wait to celebrate! I've set myself 10 small challenges to do, which includes taking part in the Race for Life, volunteering, cold water swimming, climbing Pen-y-Fan (a mountain in Brecon) and some other fun things to show how far I've come.

I won't lie, sometimes it's hard, we all have those days, but then I say to myself look how much you have been through, you are lucky to be here, so enjoy as much as you can. I like to find a positive in every day, even if that's sitting on the sofa with my husband and watching tv!

Advice

As hard and as tough as things get, try to find the positive. I used to make myself go out every day I felt well for fresh air, coffee or even a little treat. If I didn't force myself, I wouldn't leave the house. It's fine to cry and be angry but remember who you are, you've got this!

Talk and ask as many questions as you can, my breast care nurse was an amazing support. Reach out to them and they will help as much as they can.

Confidence & Favourite Nicola Jane Style

How I dress and the clothes I wear have changed so much since my diagnosis, wearing an amazing outfit, feeling and looking good makes me feel confident.

My favourite Nicola Jane bra is the Sasha, I have a few just in case you stop selling them! It's so comfy and modern, the crosses at the front mean you can wear something a little bit lower and look like you are wearing a top underneath. A few of my friends who haven't had breast cancer have asked where it’s from!