Cathryn

On the 30th of September 2015 I was given the devastating news that I had breast cancer. Approximately 1 hour after arriving home my husband and I received a phone call from the nursing home where my mother-in-law lived asking us to go as soon as possible because my mother in law had deteriorated dramatically. She passed away later that evening. We hadn’t got our heads around the fact I had cancer so my head was in total turmoil and also now had a funeral to arrange.

On the 27th October 2015 I was admitted for a full mastectomy reconstruction surgery and 7 lymph nodes removed. It was shortly after the surgery that I heard about Cancer Support Yorkshire through a leaflet I found in my cancer pack.

Getting in touch with them was the best thing I have done, by the time I went for my first visit I was at an all-time low. After talking to them about how I felt they put a support plan together which involved Counselling, Complementary Therapies including Indian Head Massage and Aromatherapy. I also attended groups for Meditation and Relaxation, without their help and support I dread to think where I would be.

They organise various events throughout the year to raise much needed funds so that they can continue to support to people like me. I in turn have supported them by doing a sponsored Firewalk, I’ve helped out at bucket collections and I’ve run various races. In October this year, my husband, my Bradford Parkrun family and I are running the Yorkshire Marathon Relay to raise valuable funds. I never thought that it would affect me. You always think that it is going to happen to somebody else but it did affect me and my family & friends too so you do it give a bit back and to help other people because you know what they are going through.

I am a cancer survivor and owe a lot to Cancer Support Yorkshire for helping me out of that very deep, dark hole. There are no certainties about anything and I am not complacent anymore but I have things planned and I will do them. I have a new positive attitude towards life, I take each day as it comes and I live life to the full. I still attend the Meditation classes when I can and I am awaiting a date for a second breast reconstruction surgery but I know that Cancer Support Yorkshire will be there to support me when I need them.