I was devastated when I found a lump.
I decided to have the whole breast removed. I then started on Chemo. Tired but worse thing for me was losing my hair, tragic!
It was late 2005 and in 2006 I had planned to go to the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia. They were around the time where I finished the first course of chemo and started the second. My doctors said there was no reason I couldn't go so off I went. I was away on my own for the first two weeks as hubby was working, so went to Vancouver then Auckland to visit friends. I then drove down and crossed to the South Island taking in the sights. I flew to Melbourne and met by hubby, and realised that my hair had started to grow back! Saw the games then travelled to Perth and on to Hong Kong, then home. I felt tired for the first three days of the holiday but soon got my fitness back.
All through my illness I still did volunteer athletics coaching.I have since been very busy and went back to work full time, developed as a coach and got quite a bit more involved. I now have a large group of lovely athletes and I am developing my own fitness business for all abilities.( My illness has left me overweight and I used to be extremely fit so I'm working now to get some back). Part of this is some classes for breast care patients as I want to support others and I feel that with my experience and expertise can give something back for all the help and support I received.
I appreciate everything much more now. Eighteen months afterwards I went back into hospital and has reconstructive surgery, which was brilliant.i would recommend it. It took a while to get things looking right but definitely worth it. It gave me my confidence back. All through it, my hubby and family were really supportive and the breast care nurses were brilliant. I've come a long way from 2005.
Swansea, United Kingdom
