On the 31st of December 2019 (New Years Eve) I was diagnosed with a stage 3 breast cancer. A particularly aggressive Cancer which catapulted me into a rapid treatment program. As I am young (relatively speaking) I was placed on a long chemotherapy program which I complete on July 10th. The brutality of this treatment is hard to explain, It is nothing like I imagined. The treatment itself is ok, but the side effects just so wearying and draining. I have suffered from constant mouth ulcers, pain in my hands and feet at night, the loss of my toenails and hair to name a few, and this is before you even begin with the tiredness, sickness and anxiety. I have felt an immense sense of guilt for the awful pressure this has put on my unbelievably amazing and supportive family and friends

To add to this, Covid-19, this has meant fear, fear my chemotherapy would stop, fear that I will catch something every time I step into the hospital for blood tests or chemo and fear that my cancer is not responding as I have not been able to have the usual tests. I did not see my Oncologist during this time and apart from the wonderful breast care nurses had very little contact with medical specialists.

It was halfway through my chemo journey that I came into contact with the staff at the Trinity Holistic Centre. They provide holistic treatments for Cancer patients, something I was not able to partake in due to Covid-19 but hope to soon. More importantly for me they provided an ear. The counselling, therapy and mindfulness treatments I have received via telephone have been a lifeline to me. Their support is incredible. During my darkest hours when trying to adjust to and face the statistics and facts surrounding my long term prognosis they were there supporting, people I could talk to about anything, people I could laugh with and who listened. They continue to support me and I am hoping I can give a little back.

It is my birthday on July 15th and I would like to ask people to donate to this wonderful charity not just as a gift to me but more to anyone in the North East who could benefit from this support. In my small part whilst still undergoing this treatment I pledge to walk 100 miles in 30 days. Any thing you can give no matter how little will help this amazing charity.

For my part I continue to benefit from this counselling. I have decided to undergo a double mastectomy in August and their support has helped me to make this decision and feel genuinely good about it. I am also happy to say that to date my Cancer has responded to the chemo. Long may this last. Thankyou for listening and every little helps.