Ruth found a lump in her breast, just weeks after donating her long hair to charity.

Photo credit: www.ourbeautifuladventure.co.uk

“In July 2021, my hair was the longest it had ever been, because hairdressers had been forced to close during lockdown. So, I decided to donate nine inches of hair to the Little Princess Trust, which provides wigs for children and young people. I had heard how alopecia had affected someone close to me, this was what motivated me to make a donation. Hair is our crowning glory and if an adult has problems dealing with hair loss how does a child comprehend it? I had no idea that I was about to be diagnosed with breast cancer and would end up losing my own hair during chemotherapy.

Measuring my hair, just before donating it the Little Princess Trust

Just two weeks after donating to the Little Princess Trust, I found a lump in my right breast I was in the shower and wasn’t checking my breasts as such – I just happened to brush over the lump with the palm of my hand. My initial thought was that it was just a cyst, probably caused by my hormones and I decided to keep an eye on it.

However, the lump didn’t go away. I was referred for a mammogram, which was delayed because of the pandemic. Not only did they find a lump in my right breast, but they also found a cyst in my left breast too - it obviously didn’t want to be ‘left’ out! I finally received my diagnosis of triple positive breast cancer on 1^st October 2021 – another irony, as this was the first day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Despite the initial delays, since I’ve been in the healthcare system, my treatment has been absolutely fantastic.

With my new short hairstyle – cake smashing with my children on the first day of chemo

I’m now in my penultimate chemotherapy cycle and still have niggles; chemotherapy does not like me - or my body doesn’t like chemo? Either way the end is within touch! So, we’re busy making plans for at least one memory making event per month. There is always something to look forward to!

A friend of mine who was also diagnosed during the pandemic has been incredibly supportive. She got the all clear from triple negative breast cancer in the same week that I had my own mammogram. We’ve both been able to support each other so much, making it such a positive environment and sharing our experiences. When we were both working from home, we kept in touch with weekly chats. Talking with my friend helped me prepare mentally for my own treatment.

Sadly, I wasn’t able to have anyone with me during my breast cancer treatment. However, it turns out that there’s a nurse in the chemotherapy unit who has a daughter in the same class as mine. We don’t see each other at the school gates – only when I’m having treatment!

There have been so many lovely little coincidences around my breast cancer diagnosis. So much positivity - even the name of my cancer has the word “positive” in it. I feel like I’m surrounded with so much love and support. My children have been wonderful too – they are only eight and five. They make me a little bed on the sofa on treatment days, so that they can feel like they’re playing a part.

Having donated my hair not long before I was diagnosed – to make wigs for others – I was told that I would lose my own hair during chemotherapy and shaved my head before the treatment started. Now my wig has been delivered I find that I’d rather wear a hat! But now I have more choices. I’ve been getting some great support from the cancer charity Maggie’s and one day, I was talking to the lady who cuts wigs at our local Maggie’s Centre in Swansea. She suggested that I get my eyebrows micro-bladed – a semi-permanent technique for enhancing the appearance of eyebrows. I’d not thought about having this done, but managed to find a local company which does free sessions for cancer patients. I got my eyebrows micro-bladed just before my first chemotherapy treatment. My friends think the photo of me taken just after I shaved off my hair looks amazing – I think it’s because my eyebrows stand out so brilliantly! It has helped me keep my femininity despite the hair loss.

With my head shaved and after having my eyebrows microbladed at The Cosmetik Clinic, Swansea

I have signed up to take on the Full Moon challenge (26.2 miles) at The MoonWalk London 2022 with my friend who was also diagnosed with breast cancer. I was in the navy for 17 years and am still a reservist, but I’ve never done a marathon before in my life! Despite having a military background and being fit in the past, I’m understandably not very fit at the moment. The MoonWalk is a huge challenge, but It’s a real motivator during my treatment and I’m really looking forward to getting out and about doing more walking locally.

We got a family dog not long before I was diagnosed and she’s been a godsend. It’s so refreshing going out for a walk and because the dog always needs walking, sometimes I’ve even gone out in the rain. I’m hoping that The MoonWalk will be a breeze, compared to some of the coastal paths around where we live in Swansea!

I’m from a big family – one of my cousins had breast cancer 12 years ago and I’ve had aunts on both sides who’ve been diagnosed too. A lot of people want to come and take part in The MoonWalk with me, but I’ve actually had to tell them that this is a very personal journey. Perhaps my friends and family will be support crew.

The MoonWalk is a fantastic long term target to aim for - I want to get all my treatment done, so that when it comes to Saturday 14^th May 2022, I’m ready to go!”

Thank you for sharing your story Ruth and we look forward to seeing you at The MoonWalk London 2022!