"Breast cancer diagnosis and treatment"

I found a lump in my breast in December, rang my GP and had an appointment the following day. They referred me urgently to the breast clinic at Gartnaval hospital and I was seen 4 weeks later. I was very impressed with how the breast clinic was run - a very efficient one stop shop and all the staff were amazing.

During the investigations on the day it became apparent that the lump was very suspicious for cancer and I had an unhappy lymph node so biopsies were taken - the radiologist and nurse doing the biopsy were so kind and gentle and made a very scary experience manageable.

I was told this was likely cancer and had an appointment made to get the biopsy results. I had a CT scan and an MRI within this time and had already been discussed at the MDT by the time I had my consultant appointment 5 days later.

Unfortunately it was confirmed I have metastatic breast cancer but a type that has a lot of treatment options. I was squeezed into the oncology clinic at the Victoria the following day and started chemo the following week (less than 2 weeks from my initial appointment).

The care I have received throughout such a difficult few weeks has been exemplary - my overwhelming experience has been kindness from everyone I have come in contact with at Gartnaval, the Beatson and the Victoria, and a visit to IAU at the QEUH with a high temperature after chemo - admin staff, nurses, doctors, radiographers, volunteers.

It has been a lot to take in and I am still coming to terms with the diagnosis, but I couldn't feel better looked after and in safe hands.

Thank you to everyone at the Gartnaval breast clinic and imaging, Beatson imaging, Dr Dunn and Vicky and all the staff in Clinic P at the Victoria, and IAU at the QEUH (in and home in 3 hours with a diagnosis of flu!).