My name ins Avril and would like to say introduce myself and give my experience of going through cancer.
My year was looking exciting like a lot of people. I was going to be spending my 50th with my twin sister who lives in Sydney Australia and my daughter and husband over Easter. Late March I found a lump in my right breast so decided to visit the doctors, but the doctors were not taking face to face, hence, had a phone call over the phone with my doctor. They sent a letter to the breast clinic and I was referred the following week for a mammogram. On my visit they told me they needed to take biopsies and said they believe it to be cancer and they were right. I was diagnosed with HERT2 triple positive then put on the wheels in motion of a treatment plan. My hospital put me on a cancer research trial for antibody treatment alongside my chemo which has showed positive signs of curative cases. What could I lose now.
End of April started my first of 7 chemo visits. I have had my ups and downs, but kept positive through out. My hair fell out gradually and I was not one to just shave it off straight away. Diet and excersie was key too and having support of my family. It was difficult on the first visit for chemo as I was not allowed anyone with me due to covid and no face to face meetings were done with my oncology doctor, so I never got to meet this amazing man in person. After 7 chemo treatments I had my masectomy performed by the most wonderful surgeon and two weeks after surgery he gave me the best news anyone could want to hear. He said my Pathological results were clear of cancer, again I had to do this alone which was even stressful, however, I walked out of the clinic feeling lots of happy emotions while still not believing what I have just been told.
My journey still continued into November with 3 weeks of Radiotherapy and also continuing with the antibody treatment which finished in 2021.
The message to all women and men, yes men, please check your breasts as it may save your life. Back pain was another sign which I had for a year before being diagnosed as well as my breast itching, so any changes please phone your doctor.
Do not give up in life whatever you are going through. Make sure you have time for yourself whether it be relaxing, meditation or excercise and spend more time with people you love. Like Captain Tom would say "tomorrow will be a good day".
My end note is to thank everyone in the NHS who have been supporting me during my treatment over the last 9 months, you are the most amazing people and you are my angels. Thank you to Cancer Research for allowing me to participate in this trial and giving me many more years with my family and hope my genetic information will aid even better treatments in the future.
