I've loved working with the amazing Jo Bayles who has been working with me to reveal to the media why she's GLAD she got cancer, this time in That's Life magazine... #feelinggood#raisingawareness #breastcancer
Jo says:
Lying in bed, I felt a dull ache in my armpit.
Something’s not right, I thought.
I’d already been to my GP twice because my right breast felt uncomfortable to touch, but had been told it was nothing.
That week, I returned to the doctors.
‘Please could I be referred?’ I said.
‘OK then,’ the GP replied.
At hospital, I had mammograms and biopsies.
Then three weeks later I got my results.
Stage 3 breast cancer.
It had spread to my lymph nodes.
‘I’m going to die,’ I said to my partner Hadleigh.
‘You’re not,’ he said. ‘We can fight this.’
I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving him and our two sons Stan, nine, and Mack, seven, behind.
After the shock had worn off, I looked in the mirror.
Come on then cancer, I’m going to take you on.
I had six rounds of chemotherapy and a mastectomy, choosing to have a reconstruction at a later date. Then I had radiotherapy.
I supplemented my NHS treatment with complimentary treatments, including NLP, oncology acupuncture, massage, reiki, aromatherapy, crystals and meditation. I also hired a life coach and focused on sleep, exercise, positivity and nutrition.
Then I found a cancer specific personal trainer and started working out. After just three months I was back into a mainstream gym.
It felt amazing to be making changes, removing stress and toxins from my body.
But I still had my wobbles.
‘We’re all here for you,’ Hadleigh assured me.
I was so thankful for my support network - my close family and friends.
‘I’m naming you all Team Bayles,’ I smiled.
Almost a year after my diagnosis, I saw my oncologist who gave me the news I’d been wishing for.
The cancer was gone.
‘I’m releasing you into the wild,’ he said.
I raised a glass of bubbly with my family to celebrate.
Now I still use natural therapies and I’ve decided I don’t want a reconstruction, preferring to see my scar that I’ve named ‘warrior’ – a reminder of the battle I’ve won.
I love messing about on the beach with my boys and going on long family walks. And I’m writing a book about how breast cancer has made me stronger.
I know I’m one of the lucky ones. I stand by the fact that I wouldn’t change my diagnosis, even if given the chance. I’m glad I had cancer. It may sound nuts, but it’s true.