Nichola’s Story

I had my first routine mammogram in August 2019 at the age of 52. I had been feeling out of sorts for some time but wasn’t quite sure what the problem was and attributed it to the menopause.

I was contacted to go back for further investigation of my left breast and somehow convinced myself that I would just have a further examination and maybe another mammogram. Imagine my horror when I was told they needed to do a biopsy. I did not cope well with the first attempt as I was not mentally prepared and the staff very kindly rearranged my appointment so that I could bring my partner. I was called back a few days later for the results which was a very surreal experience. The doctor explained that I had invasive lobular breast cancer, also with an invasive ductal carcinoma, pleomorphic and non-pleomorphic LCIS, and I was told that I would need surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

My initial feelings were of irritation that I didn’t have time to be ill! Once the round of appointments, scans etc got started, that was replaced with a sense of dread of what was to come.

I had successful surgery for removal of the breast and a reconstruction, plus removal of two lymph nodes in October 2019, and after a period of recovery began my chemotherapy on Christmas Eve 2019. I had an accelerated treatment plan – 8 treatments over 16 weeks, possibly the longest 16 weeks of my life. It is a very tough thing to go through physically as well as mentally, but it is do-able.

My last two treatments coincided with the start of the pandemic in March 2020, I was one of the last patients in the chemo ward at PRH before it was repurposed into a Covid isolation ward.

My radiotherapy treatment also took place shortly after then and completed at the beginning of June. Far from being able to restart my life and look forward to seeing family and friends again, we spent a number of further months in lockdown, which was again surreal. At least I didn’t have to worry about getting my hair cut!

My recovery has taken a number of years, regaining physical and mental strength is tough. I take oestrogen suppressant medication which is very hard on the body. Having never really exercised before I now visit the gym a couple of times a week and am probably healthier than I’ve ever been.

The constant fear that the cancer will return is actually starting to abate although it is still very much a thing, but I am feeling much more positive about the future. It’s almost exactly five years since I had my surgery and I am eternally grateful to the NHS in Brighton/Haywards Heath, and its amazingly professional, kind and clever staff who helped me through a very tough time. Without them, I wouldn’t be here.