"Breast cancer"

In January 2025 I attended the big bus breast screening routine screening.  One week later I was asked to attended the breast screening unit in altnagelvin hospital.  I found out the same day I have a 7mm lump on my left breast which was cancerous.  I spoke to the surgeon same day and first stage plan was put in place.  I had to wait 10 days for the results of the biopsy.  When it can back it was grade 2.  The surgeon,  the radiographer and the nursing  team were very supportive during these first stages.  They spoke to me with kindness and compassion. I don't remember feeling overly scared due the the information and the way it was delivered by the team.

It is very humbling sitting in that room with other males and females all with or waiting to find out if they have cancer. The scariest part of the journey so far for me was waiting to have my surgery. This is due to a relative of mine dying from complications during surgery years ago. The stand out for me was the pre op team who got me ready for surgery. The anaesthetist was amazing. I don't know his name but he got down on his knees beside me and said, everyone in that room is there for you. Go to sleep and don't worry we have got you. That is compassion at its very best.

Following surgery I had further waiting to do until the new biopsy. It had not spread to the lymph nodes. I was told that it was HER2-positive and that chemotherapy, HER2 drugs and radiotherapy would be offered as it is aggressive. So far I have had ten cycles of chemo and 4 hHER2. The oncologist has been amazing and extremely supportive and reassuring. And has kept me informed every step of the way. Nursing practitioner Claire and the specialist nursing team Jenny, Kelly, and the whole team on the wards have been amazing.

I was so scared my first day of chemotherapy I took a pain in my chest. The team were brilliant reassuring and compassionate. I have just finished with radiotherapy team today, I have never seen such passion and compassion. From my first visit to my last i am truly humbled by there passion energy and kindness.

NHS is one of the most amazing services that we have. The cancer care in Northern Ireland is second to none. I cannot thank the teams enough for everything that they have done so far and continue to do for me and everyone in Northern Ireland who has been given this life changing diagnosis. Thank you so much from me and every person who comes to your unit. I have no doubt the work you do will help them as much as it helped me.