Celebrating International Women's Day

On 1st March 2017, I (Nicola Kelly)was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was only 38 years old, was this really happening?

I was thrown into a spin, nothing was making sense, I was drowning in words that were being spoken to me. I needed time out, time to think, time to realise this was real.

Something then clicked inside, and I went into ‘organised’ mode, I needed a plan of action and then I could cope with whatever was ahead.

I was then to endure 2 weeks of tests, scans, prodding and poking before starting any treatment.

I was told my cancer was HER2-positive, this means the cells can multiply more quickly.

The plan of action was:

18 weeks of chemotherapy

Mastectomy with immediate DIEP reconstruction

Radiotherapy 5 days a week for 4 weeks

18 months of Herceptin

3 years of Zoledronic acid

12 months of Zoladex

5 years of Tamoxifen

Yearly mammogram

The treatment was tough, but manageable due to the amazing support I had from family and friends, but I must give a massive shout out to Kevin, he witnessed every part of my journey, the good, the bad and at times the very ugly.

I felt lucky to have the support from everyone but the one thing I feel I would have benefited from was a ‘Buddy’, someone my own age with a similar experience.

It made me think about how scared I was in that first information session for what was about to come, and how much I would have valued having someone who had lived the experience guiding me through.

That’s what inspired me to attend the meeting in Stranraer which was to be held on an evening in November 2018.

In 2018 NHS Dumfries and Galloway were delivering training in co-production of services.  Penny Halliday was taking part in the course and had chosen to concentrate on Wigtownshire and people affected by cancer.  A public meeting was held in Stranraer inviting people with a lived experience of cancer to attend with the view to supporting local people to develop a service that would make a difference.

The NHS supported us in holding our first Afternoon Tea and from there Wigtownshire Women and Cancer was created.

WWAC came along at the best time for me, it saved me and gave something new to focus on.

I have been the vice chair since WWAC was set up and now I am delighted to have been appointed Volunteer Co-Ordinator.

I will continue to be passionate about our service and hope we can just grow year on year.

We want every person to feel supported, and to let them know that they’re not alone.

Since 2018 we have delivered support in lots of formats, far too many to mention.  If you feel you would like to get involved, please contact us via wwac19@hotmail.com or Facebook messenger.

We hope that we continue to reach as many people as possible.

I’d tell anyone going through treatment that there will be good days as well as bad days. You just must take it steady and ask for help and support when you need it.  Your journey might not always be easy, but certainly will give you something to share and probably without knowing it, help other people.

Always get any concerns checked out.

Never think you are asking a silly question.

Remember you know your body best.

LIFE IS FOR LIVING, LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE