Joanne’s story
In June 2021, while lying in bed relaxing one Sunday morning, Joanne found a lump. After phoning the GP, she was seen the next day and when her breast was further examined, the doctor found another lump.
A few days later Joanne was scheduled for a mammogram, even sending her husband to work because she wasn’t worried about the results. After the mammogram, Joanne was told she needed more tests and that is when they found a third lump, and they needed to biopsied.
Joanne started to shake. It was the first time she realised it could be more serious. The results came back within the hour and Joanne was told to bring her mum with her for the results. Right then, she knew it was cancer. Joanne was told she needed a mastectomy and left the hospital in complete shock.
“The wait for my surgery date was horrific. I spent most of my nights planning my own funeral, and what I would say to my only daughter Robyn, who was just 12 years old at the time.
They had to remove my entire breast due to the margins of the lumps. When surgery day came around and I woke up without a breast, it was surreal. You think you have come to terms with it when you are initially told, but the reality is so much different and a lot more difficult to deal with.”
Making the right decision for me
Joanne decided not to have reconstruction surgery on her breast because her body had been through so much already. She knew there was a risk of infection, what if it didn’t take?
But the fear of reoccurrence was still there so, a year and a half later, Joanne decided to have her second breast removed for peace of mind and for symmetry.
“My cancer diagnosis physically and emotionally changed me as a person. I have been through so much, it got quite dark, and the support from Cancer Focus really helped to guide me on to a more positive path.
I used to have big goals, but now they are smaller and more meaningful. My partner Tony and I had been together for quite a while but had never got around to setting a date to get married.
So, after my first mastectomy we decided life was too short and started planning the wedding of our dreams, which was also a welcome distraction for me while I was going through surgeries and treatment. We had the most amazing day surrounded by family and friends.”
Joanne seen an advertisement for the Cancer Focus NI breast cancer retreat, the opportunity to leave everyday stresses at home, and everything just clicked into place.
“The group work coordinator was fantastic, having someone who was there for me and willing to listen, meant everything. Your family can sometimes be too close, they forget that a cancer diagnosis never goes away, and Cancer Focus NI were able to provide me with that support.
To be with women who were on the same cancer journey as me and dealing with the same struggles was so important. It was like a private club that you don’t want to be a part of, but in some way, you are glad to be there among these other amazing women.
I ran into one of the girls at home in the shopping centre, and I gave her the biggest hug. It felt like seeing one of my best friends that I’ve known for years.
It was such a positive and healing experience. I can still feel the effects from it. And thanks to Cancer Focus NI I have a support group of amazing women I will always hold a special bond with.”
