Nicola Jane Inspirational Woman Update - Sue

When we first launched the 2017 Nicola Jane Catalogue, how did you feel seeing yourself as a Nicola Jane Inspirational Woman?

An Inspirational Women!  - It was amazing to see myself described as a 'Nicola Jane Inspirational Women', and such a compliment!

My family and friends were so proud and pleased to see me in the 2017 Nicola Jane Catalogue. It was such an amazing day, one I will remember for the rest of my life. It was also a step forward in my recovery, as I had said previously my husband died more or less a year before I was diagnosed with breast cancer, so it was a bit of a double whammy! I loved meeting the other models and Nicola Jane staff - everyone was so friendly and reassuring.

What have you been up to since we last saw you?

I have been very busy since the photoshoot. As well as starting line dancing classes, I have been away a lot visiting friends, driving down to Devon, up to Leeds and then in September to Edinburgh where my husband Allan and I lived for 6 years.

I have found friends so important over the past few years. Talking about friends, I also joined a local breast cancer support group, we meet on the first Wednesday of each month. Far from talking about breast cancer all of the time, as you may imagine we have loads of social events, we had a Pink Party in October, as well as lots of dinners out! I have been to a Solid Silver Sixties evening in Woking and a Motown evening in November. Next year we are going to see War Horse, we are lucky to have Jackie who organises these events. Although there are a lot of social activities to get involved with if anyone needs support or a friendly, understanding ear there is always someone to help you through difficult days. I have lots of new friends from the breast cancer support group, whom I would never have met if I hadn't plucked up the courage to go in the first place! In fact, one lovely friend lives just around the corner from me, but our paths would never have crossed if it hadn't been for the group.

At the Nicola Jane Inspirational Woman photoshoot you wore the Havanna Floral Stretch Lace Bra. How did you feel wearing it? How did it suit your surgery?

I love wearing my Nicola Jane lingerie, and the bra's I modelled were fantastic. They were very comfortable, as are all of the Nicola Jane range. I love the modesty panels on some of the bras!  I think you need to wear what makes you feel most comfortable and what suits you best, don't worry about what others think, it's you that's important.

After surgery some ladies find it difficult to get back to normality. Do you have any advice or tips that helped you to regain your confidence?

I would say to women facing breast cancer be confident and don't be afraid. There is so much that can be done these days to control and get rid of the cancer completely. Be yourself and don't let cancer take over your life! You are still the same person you were before the diagnosis. There is so much care and support out there, take advantage of it. Start by talking to people who understand, companies such as Nicola Jane or something similar to the breast cancer support group I belong to. Don't look back, look forward and enjoy every day, your confidence will return and you will see the way ahead with optimism again.