Hi, I am a 51 year old widowed mum with an 18 year old daughter who has been my rock.

I was first diagnosed with breast cancer in left breast in  June 2015, was told it had spread to my lymph nodes and my cancer was stages 3. Had to have a masectomy and full axilliary clearance (all my lymph nodes removed)..I had problems with fluid collecting in my surgery wound and developed Lymphedema in my chest wall and arm despite doing all the exercises they tell you to do! Not everybody develops Lymphedema so it's just my luck!

Following surgery, after a bit of recovery time ,I started 12 rounds of Chemotherapy which was very tough going as I was quite ill, with sickness, tiredness, chest infections and had sepsis 3 times - my immune system had been so compromised that  I spent quite a lot of time in hospital - the third time was the worst as I could have died because of the severity of it.I spent the whole of christmas and new year in there which was horrible as I couldn't be with my family. I lost all my hair, eyebrows and ladhes which I was hard to deal with as I had long hair and wore makeup but it never looked right without my lashes and brows!

At first I wore a headscarf 'cos my scalp was quite sore and sensitive. I pencilled my eyebrows on and used eyeliner on my eyelids to create the illusion of lashes. I felt a bit like a painted doll but it was better than looking "surprised" !  You can buy stick-on lashes and brows but I find it fiddly so I didn't bother.

I was lucky enough to get a nice wig on the NHS and occasionally when I could tolerate it on my scalp and it felt more comfortable on, I felt so much better looking at myself- I had become so self conscious when everything fell out.

My radiotherapy was delayed to allow my body to recover meanwhile I was started with Tamoxifen which is taken every day. This makes me have hot sweats very frequently so I take Dixarit to reduce them- it really does help.

A month later, now February 2016, I started my 15 rounds of radiotherapy which wasn't too bad,  I continued to do my arm exercises as radiotherapy makes you stiffen up and reduces movement if you don't!

After my treatment I felt kind of lost and isolated, I didn't go out much as my immune system was still weak and I pick up infections easily ( that's just me anyway). Also struggling with bone and nerve pain and chronic Lymphedema. 

I found out about "The Haven" which is a charity for those women who who have/had  cancer. It provides holistic and alternative complimentary therapies and workshops to help sufferers. I found that having a relaxing massage, or acupuncture( to help with sweats) or just talking to someone who understands what you're feeling and going through really helps you on the road to recovery .

Today, I'm still struggling with chronic Lymphedema, pain and recurring chest infections and breathing difficulties but then I do have other health issues as well. In all, I'd say that going through the cancer  treatment was justified and necessary despite the awful time I had and everybody reacts differently to treatment so if you've just been diagnosed and feeling scared about treatment, just remember you're not alone.

I have to say, that I've had absolutely outstanding care  from the NHS, an amazing Oncologist, good caring doctors and nursing staff- both Chemo and radiotherapy staff. I couldn't have had better care if I'd had private treatment. I am eternally grateful to them all and they do an amazing job of helping to save lives every day.