Shelley’s Story

It was a student doctor who noticed a “change in skin” on my right breast, but said it was nothing to worry about as there were no lumps found when I was examined - but they referred me to the highly acclaimed Burney Breast Unit in St Helens. Who knew this amazing place was right on my doorstep? It would become my second home for the next year. In short, the mammogram didn’t see the tumours either. It was the ultrasound that led to a biopsy that led to the finding of 3 tumours… The good news was that they were small; they were stage 1.

I was given a plan: They would remove the whole breast and do an amazing procedure called a Diep reconstruction at the same time. In layman’s terms, this was to create a new breast for me from extra fat I had on my tummy and take all the cancer away...and that would be it .

After an 8 hour operation the results were in. Unfortunately, in the space of 3 weeks since diagnosis, the tumours had grown and spread into some nodes. Previously, I was told I wouldn’t have to have chemotherapy - this decision was then reversed . The first dose was a doddle and so was the second; the third not so great…

I think the word cancer had never sunk in until my 4-year old daughter saw my hair all over my pillow. That’s when reality punched me in the face. A 4-year old sees it differently and she said: “Can I cut your hair as it’s falling out anyway?” So, she did and then we shaved it all off. She  laughed her head off and I cried my eyes out. Then she said, “Pout Mummy! Let’s take a picture!” I actually love this picture now but no one can see how absolutely petrified I was about  my future.

Chemo and radiotherapy sessions have passed and I am now 3 years in remission. Not a day goes by without me thinking about it and of course I have all the scars to prove it. But it changed my life for the better - sounds crazy but it was a catalyst for a lot of changes in my life - all good ones. I still have ongoing treatment but all preventative medicine and owe my life to the NHS, Burney Breast Unit and to Macmillan.

My daughter asks when she can shave my hair again I say hopefully never!