It was one of those moments when you just know what the outcome is going to be. I spent the whole afternoon in the clinic, had a mammogram, ultrasound, biopsy and diagnosis.

It was 6.10pm when I was given the news that I had Breast Cancer. Before I had chance to take the information in, I had an appointment to see the Breast Cancer Care Nurse, and my surgery had been booked for the following Thursday.

I was given the option of having a lumpectomy (where just the tumour is removed) or a mastectomy. After much contemplation I made the decision to have the lumpectomy. At least then I had a chance of keeping my breast. If the cancer was found to have spread I would need another operation and a mastectomy but if the tumour was localised, I would not.

I was amazed at how quickly everything was dealt with. I hadn’t realised I would receive the results of the tests the same day and did not expect that I would leave the clinic with a date for my operation.

I was admitted to Llandudno Hospital on Wednesday 4th November 2009 and had a lumpectomy the following day. The care I received in hospital was exceptional. After having my drains removed, on the Sunday afternoon I was allowed to go home.

The following Friday I was back in the clinic and was told that the surgery had been successful and that I had a slow-growing tumour that they had managed to completely remove. Some of my lymph nodes had been removed and I was told that the cancer had not spread any further than the lump itself.

Once the tumour had been removed it was tested and found to be ‘hormone receptor positive’. This type of breast cancer has receptors within the cell surface that latch onto the female hormone oestrogen, which stimulates the cancer cell to grow. Because of this I have to take the hormone suppressant Tamoxifen for five years.

Last February I had three weeks of Radiotherapy as a precaution, to make sure that any cancerous cells would be killed off and to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back.

I now have to have annual check-ups and mammograms for the next 10 years.

I am so grateful to the NHS for the service that I received. I was so lucky as when someone of my age (37) gets Breast Cancer it is usually an aggressive tumour, which mine was not.

I completed my radiotherapy on 12^th February 2010. It took a long time for me to recover from my treatment. Without the support of the Breast Cancer Care nurses, loved ones and my friends, I would not have got through this traumatic time. Unfortunately some relationships did not survive the difficulties encountered during my treatment, but I will always be grateful to those who rallied round and tried to help me come through cancer and out the other side.

I have just celebrated my first anniversary of being cancer-free. I have been very lucky. When I made the decision to opt for a lumpectomy rather than a mastectomy I kept my breast. Yes I have scars but today I look at my scars and I am proud of them. They remind me that I survived. That I took on cancer and beat it. They make me who I am today.

I am running the Virgin London Marathon on Sunday 17^th April 2011 as part of the Breast Cancer Care team. I will run this marathon. I need to do this. This is my thank you to Breast Cancer Care. The leaflets explaining everything from the operation to how do deal with Breast Cancer. The local Breast Cancer Care nurses who were on the end of the telephone whenever I needed answers or someone to talk to. The website which is so informative that is accessible at 3am when questions are going through your mind and you can’t sleep. The free phone helpline and the forums where you can talk to women going through the same thing, letting you know that you are not alone. This is my thank you for all those things, and for so much more.

I need to run this marathon for those reasons, but also I need to run this marathon for me.

I need help to raise vital funds for Breast Cancer Care which helps to save lives in so many ways.

I would appreciate any donations, no matter how large or small, it all goes to help a very worthwhile charity.

Many thanks.

**Today, Weds, 17th November I had my first yearly check-up appointment with the consultant.  I am very lucky to be able to say I have been cancer-free for twelve months.... YES!!!**