Nichola's Walk All Over Cancer Fundraising Page

Thanks for visiting my fundraising page. In February 2020 I was 7 months pregnant and asked a friend who’s a midwife about breastfeeding and some changes I’d noticed in my breast. She gave me some advice and suggested I get checked, just in case. I went to see my GP but wasn’t worried, I was pregnant so it was obviously related to that. Besides, I was only 32 and had no family history of breast cancer. March 2020 after numerous tests, at 35 weeks pregnant I got the news it was breast cancer and had spread to one lymph node. I couldn’t believe it. We locked down the following week. At 37 weeks pregnant, 2 weeks after getting the news and several discussions and appointments later, I was induced and had a beautiful healthy baby boy, Oscar. There were no concerns that my cancer affected him, which was amazing news. At the end of April, 4 weeks after having Oscar, I had surgery to remove the tumour and lymph nodes from the affected side. It was mid-lockdown and Greg and Oscar took me to hospital but couldn’t come in with me. I don’t think I’ll ever forget saying bye to them that day and walking into the hospital alone. Luckily everything went well and I was able to go home that night. 6 weeks later I started chemotherapy. I had 6 cycles, each 3 weeks apart. Chemo was really difficult. It made me feel exhausted, I couldn’t taste food properly, I lost a lot of hair, I couldn’t sleep. The medication I took to stop side effects caused their own side effects. It was definitely a tough marathon but I had my amazing husband and family looking after me and Oscar always making me smile. In November I had 4 weeks of radiotherapy which was much easier to manage than chemo. I also started taking hormone therapy which I’ll be on for several years. I’m feeling back to normal and healthy again after the most difficult year of my life. Through my whole journey I was amazed at how every aspect of the care and treatment was tailored to suit my situation and type of cancer. From having Oscar early so I could have the surgery sooner, to sending a sample of the tumour to America to look at the genetics to help decide if I needed chemotherapy, to the type of chemotherapy drugs used, to the extra week of radiotherapy and so much more. I feel so lucky that the pandemic didn’t affect my treatment and that I’m through the other side. The care I’ve received from the NHS was incredible and I want to say thank you to all the staff who looked after me. My husband, son, parents, sisters, family and friends have all been amazing support and by my side the whole way. I’d love to raise some money for those people that aren’t as lucky and fortunate as I have been and contribute to Cancer Research UK to help save more lives. That’s why this March I’m walking 10,000 steps a day throughout the month to help beat cancer. Help me Walk All Over Cancer and fund life-saving research by making a donation to my page. Thank you! And ladies, please please check your boobs and see your GP if there’s anything unusual, just in case xxx