"Treatment and Care for Breast Cancer during a pandemic"

I had my usual mammogram in September 2020. It was my first time in any NHS facility since the arrival of Coronavirus and it felt eery walking under the Nightingale Hospital sign. I don't know why, but I had a bad feeling before going for the mammogram, but it was still a shock when I was called back for further investigation 1 week later, and then for further results mid October. Despite Covid 19 restrictions my husband was allowed to come with me for the results appointment.

The surgeon was self-isolating and the nursing and medical staff were run off their feet in a busy department where so many were receiving or had received bad news.  We were treated with kid gloves despite their busyness. One of the breast care nurses told us that they had found something on the mammogram, and a very lovely surgeon joined her to give us lots more information on what they had found. 

We were amazed at the level of information they had already gathered, and the detailed treatment plan they had prepared. It was explained that I would have surgery followed by chemotherapy, radiotherapy and further targeted therapy - all lasting for approximately 18 months.  Well that was a pretty shocking day in our family. We ordered a Chinese meal that evening - but nobody ate it!

The care and support we received made us feel confident that I was getting the best possible service. I ended up with 2 surgeries just 3 weeks apart at the end of 2020. Chemo started in early January 2021 and was followed by 2 weeks of radiotherapy in May. I will always remember my first visit to the Cancer Centre, and how strange that felt. But the care and support I have received at every level has been unparalleled. Despite the pandemic every single treatment has proceeded without delay.

I have been surrounded by care by a vast array of staff.  The staff in 3A in the Belfast Cancer Centre have become a sort of other family, and the calm and upbeat atmosphere in the department has carried me through the scary bits of chemo - not to mention the tea, sandwiches and buns which are always on offer!  I continue to receive amazing care from the physio in the Cancer Centre (Claire) and really benefit from Joe's online fitness classes on Wednesday mornings.  The staff providing these services have gone above and beyond to support me back to full health after a very tough year. All of the staff  go away above and beyond the requirements of their professional role. People who have taken a personal interest and supported me to keep pushing for more and more in my recovery.