“I’m sorry, but you have cancer”

MyWelshpool has highlighted a lot of inspirational stories over the years shared by our readers that have faced great challenges.

This weekend we met Sally Green (pictured), from Leighton, who is fighting breast cancer at the age of just 47. Her bravery has inspired her daughter to raise much needed funds to find a cure.

This story is in her words:

I’M an ordinary non-smoking, non-drinking married mum, 47 years old with two kids. I’ve recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and I want to share my story with you to both raise awareness of this disease and also to raise money to help future generations benefit from improved prevention and cure.

A couple of months ago, whilst showering, I found a lump in my breast, ignored it for a week then visited my GP when it didn’t go away. I wasn’t too concerned, after all, I’d been here before a few years ago and the lump turned out be a simple cyst. The GP immediately referred me to the Breast Care Team at Shrewsbury where I underwent tests including mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy. The initial results were not encouraging, from the ultrasound a strong chance cancer was present.

Waiting a week for the biopsy results was, in psychological terms, a killer. On the subsequent visit to Shrewsbury hospital the Consultant delivered the dreaded words “I’m sorry but you have cancer”, he was very clear and concise but also re-assuring that the cancer was treatable whilst praising me for regularly examining and reporting the lump early.

Over two subsequent visits we discussed the options of full mastectomy with / without reconstruction or lump removal. Bearing in mind the aggressive nature of the tumour, and its already considerable 4cm length, the decision was full mastectomy together with the removal of some lymph nodes which provide an indicator as to whether the cancer has spread from the breast. Results of the lab tests on the tumour and lymph nodes took a nerve wracking three weeks, they were delivered by a smiling consultant who advised there was no trace of cancer in lymph nodes suggesting the cancer had largely been contained.

However this isn’t the end of the story, whilst being diligent in regularly checking myself and lucky that the cancer hadn’t spread there remains a chance of rogue cancer cells attaching themselves to any vital organ and setting up more problematic secondary tumours. To minimise the risk I have to undergo an aggressive regime of treatment involving chemo and radio therapy and two further types of drug, Tamoxifen and Herceptin. I’m assured that most likely I face a year of feeling pretty lousy, hair loss and other unspecified side effects of being injected with poison but the outlook is very positive for a full and healthy balance of life.

The care I’ve received has been excellent and I’m assured that the treatment received will give me the best possible outcome however, there is always more that can be done to beat this dreadful disease. The innovative work undertaken by the cancer researchers is, to some extent, funded by the cancer charities. To help future generations face an even more positive outcome from cancer my daughter, Emma, and her friend Shannon Burnside (pictured) will participate in the Cancer Research UK Tatton Park 5km Race for Life on June 26th.

Emma added: “I’m taking part in the Race for Life as I now understand more about the frightening disease, and I really want to help scientists find a cure to make sure nobody goes through what my mum is experiencing right now. I am really excited to be doing the run with my best friend Shannon for an amazing cause and to make my mum proud.”

I am so proud of Emma and Shannon for taking part in the Race for Life, it is a tremendous cause and I am encouraging all my friends to support Emma and Shannon in any way that they can. I would also like to thank everyone for their continued support through my journey, and to those who have contributed towards the Race for Life.

In summary I ask two things, firstly ladies, and gents as well, please ensure you regularly check for lumps and don’t be embarrassed to visit the doctor if you do find something abnormal. Early detection is vital, every day you delay seeking professional advice may jeopardise your life expectancy.

Secondly, please help Emma and Shannon exceed their £1,000 target by donating whatever you can to either Emma Green, 2 Redwood Close, Leighton or to the girls Just giving web page at www.justgiving.com/EmmaandShannon or to sallyg8322@yahoo.co.uk

I’m really grateful for a second chance and hope that you can donate towards future generations finding a cure for cancer.