Sarah Priestly

My Breast Cancer Journey: From Panic to Empowerment

Hey there, lovely readers! Today, I want to share a personal story that unfolded one night in March last year. It's a story about waking up to a sharp pain and discovering a lump in my left breast, and the rollercoaster journey that followed. My hope is that my experience will inspire you to take charge of your health and be proactive when something doesn't feel right. So, let's dive into my breast cancer journey, highlighting key points and lessons learned along the way.

The Wake-Up Call

I was fast asleep one night in March last year and was woken up by a sharp pain in my left boob. So I felt the area, and discovered my lump. Luckily for me, my body did an amazing job of alerting me - as I have never really been one to check myself – I immediately felt guilt and shame for not regularly checking.

Taking the First Step

A wash of panic came over me - how long had it been there without me noticing? Is this something I need to worry about? So I booked a GP appointment the next day. When I got to the surgery, I felt a bit like an imposter – despite my extreme panic at this potentially being something serious I also completely questioned myself and was worried I was causing a fuss over nothing.

Navigating the Medical Maze

I was examined, and the GP said she felt a lump - but they aren't too worried as I'm young - and asked me to wait 4-6 weeks to see if it went away with my menstrual cycle. I was really panicked by this - I knew a lump wasn't normal and the idea of waiting so long to see if it disappeared didn't sit right. My anxiety got too much after waiting 1 week so I phoned the surgery for another appointment - again, feeling like I was causing a fuss.

Advocating for Myself

A different doctor phoned me back, and I said how concerned I was and that the lump was still there. They didn't ask to see me, they just instantly referred me to the Breast Unit at the local hospital. I saw a breast consultant here a week later - who referred me to an ultrasound that same day.

Ultrasound Surprise

The ultrasound was supposed to be precautionary, most likely a cyst due to my age, they said. However, it took longer than expected, and the radiographer seemed unusually quiet. My gut told me something wasn't right. He then explained they needed to take some biopsies there and then as the lump looked unusual.

Painful Reality

I have to say I wasn't prepared for the biopsy – what this could mean - but also the physical process which turned out to be a very painful biopsy with no pain relief. I was so unprepared as I felt like I was causing a fuss – so I didn’t think to bring family along for moral support – I wish I did.

Agonising Wait

The half-hour drive home that day felt very long and lonely – and the thought of having to wait a whole week for the results felt like a mountain to climb. A week later, I had the call to come to the hospital, and to bring someone with me for my results.

The Diagnosis

I took my husband along (he was my fiancé at the time, we were due to be married in two months). I was diagnosed with breast cancer - Grade 1 (which turned out to be early Stage 2 too) Invasive Ductal Carcinoma with DCIS. All of these words I didn't understand.

Support System

The day after my diagnosis was the day of my hen party. It turned out to be the best thing ever – as it meant I could be with my friends who are all really far away from each other and we could just be together and chat. The next few weeks and months were a blur.

Fertility Preservation and Treatment

As I haven’t had my family yet, I was immediately fast-tracked for fertility preservation within 1 week and went through the intense hormonal process of IVF and had an egg collection operation and embryo freezing within 2 weeks. The amount of science you have to understand is overwhelming, especially when you are thrust into the process – there isn’t really time to understand what’s happening.

Lumpectomy and Recovery

A month later, I had my operation to remove the lump – this is called a lumpectomy. They also remove your lymph nodes under your arm to see if the cells have spread here. I feel so luckily I didn’t have to consider reconstructive surgery – again as it was caught so early. My recovery from this took 2 weeks before I could work again – and probably 4 months until I regained normal strength and movement in my body.

A Wedding and a New Normal 

A month after my operation, I had my wedding! It came at the perfect time for all our family and friends to get together. One month later, I started taking hormone therapy – mine is called Tamoxifen, which shuts off estrogen in your system, as this is what makes my particular cancer grow. I am on this for the next 10 years and it sends you into a medicated early menopause.

Embracing the New Normal

I have since been navigating the symptoms of this and coming to terms with what my new normal is. It comes with hot flushes, brain fog, intense fatigue, bloating, hair thinning, and reduced metabolism – to name a few!

Radiotherapy Experience

And finally, though my treatment has not ended by any means, I went through 1 month of radiotherapy treatment. I had to take time off work throughout this as it causes tiredness and wipes you out a bit. I feel so lucky it was caught early - early detection is key.

Thoughts and Lessons Learned..

So what I want to really emphasise about my story is the importance of knowing your body and knowing what's normal for you - and to not feel guilty getting it checked out. And to not be scared - because the sooner it's caught, the more treatable it is. Be empowered to question advice if it doesn’t sit right with you. Ask for a second opinion.

What Helped:

- Being open with family and friends

- Being prepared – always taking a notebook to each appointment and writing down all the questions you have

- Buying a specific folder where you can file away all your hospital paperwork – and keep track of it – and hide it away.

- Prioritising my wellbeing – doing things I love

- Asking lots of questions to my doctor

- Staying close to my team at work

- Speaking to other women in similar situations / have had similar experiences

- Reading other people’s stories

- CBT talking therapy

- Spending time with my dogs and cat (they really did know to stay close and give me hugs!)

- Exercise

- Planning in lots of fun in between to break up the time and have things to look forward to.

- Crossing days of treatment off on a calendar

- Writing what you are grateful for

What Didn't Help:

- Not sharing how I felt

- Pretending I was ok

- Googling every symptom and falling down a hole of negative information

Conclusion

I couldn't have done this without my incredible family, my wonderful friends, and my amazing supportive team at Avon. My journey has taught me the power of advocacy, the importance of early detection, and the value of a strong support system. Remember, it's okay to put your health first, and it's okay to seek help and guidance when something doesn't feel right.

Thank you for joining me on this journey, and I hope my story encourages you to take control of your own health and well-being. Stay empowered and never underestimate the strength that lies within you.