Hi Everyone, 

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

This is a big step for me but I will be shaving off my very long blond hair to support my beautiful, brave and giving Mum, Sheena Gilbey, who was diagnosed with Breast Cancer on 25th July 2014 at the age of 66. 

This is a complete secret from my Mum so if you know her please do not mention it as she will kill me.

The shave off will be taking place on Friday 26th September at The Krazy Kidz Cafe in Ongar between 10am-Midday at their Macmillan Coffee morning. The lovely Gary Pellicci of the Gary Pellicci Hair Salon, Ongar will be cutting the plaits off and shaving my hair completely.

This news was a huge shock to my Brothers and I but most of all to my Mum who we think the absolute world of. After losing our Father at the ages of 13, 20 and 23 to a heart attack this news scared the life out of us all. How long had it been there for? Had it gone to her Lymph-nodes? Would it be treatable? How would she deal with this news? and would we still have our Mum with us in the months to come? A horrendous and very worrying time for all involved.

I am glad to say that she had the best surgeon and team around her at The King George Hospital and had the lump removed on 7th August 2014.

Thankfully she was given the all clear 3 weeks later on 29th August which was a big sigh of relief. However it does not just stop there as anyone that has been diagnosed with Cancer will know.

It turns out that due to having a triple negative Cancer the planned radiotherapy treatment and 5 years worth of tablets that were supposed to follow would not be effective. My mother then had to make the decision if she would proceed with Chemotherapy or not in place of the tablets; an awful decision to have to make.

After hearing the statistics from consultant's having this treatment will only benefit her by upto 5% more than somebody that doesn't undergo Chemo; It seems a very low number.

Mum decided that if it was to give her a better chance of the Cancer not coming back then she would take it; this decision was not made lightly. I am very proud of Mum for deciding to go ahead with this in-spite of it not being compulsory for her. It is 11th September today and she is to undergo Chemotherapy in 2 weeks time, this will continue for the next 18 weeks/4-5 months followed by 3 weeks of Radiotherapy.

Thank goodness for Chemo and all it does for the millions of people around the world; although the side effects are not for the faint hearted:

Mouth Ulcers

Vomiting 

Hair loss

Tiredness

Risk of infections and heart problems which are fatal, this is just to mention a few. All my Mum could think to say to my older Brother was "Well Mark I won't have any hair at your wedding next year, is that ok?"  Love her so much, this is her all over;selfless and always trying to make light of an unpleasant situation.

I would be so grateful if you could donate even 50 pence to this cause. All donations will be going to the Macmillan Cancer Trust, I will also be plaiting my hair and donating it to The Little Princess Trust for children that need real hair wigs.

I would also like to donate in memory of my business partners Father's passing last month due to Lung Cancer and also another business partners mother who has terminal cancer. 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Thank you for reading and for your support.

Lindsay xxx