In Feb 2016 my life changed forever!

As a former nurse I had worked with with cancer patients and seen the pain and anguish they and their families went through, so you can imagine my heart ache and fear when I was diagnosed and turned from nurse to patient, I had never been so scared in all my life.

The diagnosis - Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. I went cold as the doctor told me and knew that this was going to be life changing and life threatening.

The treatment started straight away, 2x lumpectomy, 6 rounds of chemotherapy and , numerous blood transfusions. 18 rounds of herception and all the time, feeling tired, food didn't taste of anything, and my body hurt.

Then the operations, 10 hours in theatre for a double mastectomy & ADM reconstruction - replacing my breasts with implants. I remember the journey to the hospital like it was yesterday, all the thoughts, would I wake up? The what if's? This operation was followed by another operation for fat transfer into lumpectomy scar. I've since had a treatment of semi-permanent make-up to give my implants a nipple.

Turning 40 is a milestone that (at times) I never thought I'd reach, so to make here and have so much in life to be grateful for is cause for a huge celebration. Its also important for me to give something back to the amazing staff, friends and colleagues who helped me.

I want to help others on this scary journey, so I'll be joining forces with Wrexham Maelor Hospital Shooting Star unit to create STARting bags for patients undergoing chemotherapy, a care package to lift the spirits and and support people through their treatment, so please give generously for all the people who haven't made it and for all those yet to be diagnosed.

Thank you

Sara x