“My name’s Chloe and in January 2022, I was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, which unbeknownst to me had already spread to my liver and bones.
Prior to being diagnosed, I worked as an intensive care nurse keeping myself fit by riding my three horses every day, as well as doing yoga twice a week.
Life suddenly changed, when I began getting chest pains. I just remember on the 1st December finding a lump. After seeing the doctor and a few tests, I was called into the hospital where I was told, ‘You’ve got cancer.’
At the time, I was in total shock and felt completely numb. The news only began to sink in when I returned home from hospital and spoke to my mum on the phone. That’s when I broke and cried.
I began my treatment near to where I lived at the time, where I had six cycles of chemotherapy, followed by an injection every three weeks. The chemotherapy had successfully shrunken the tumours in my bones, which reduced my pain. For the first time in a while, I felt so well. I even booked a trip to Rome to celebrate completing one year of treatment. However, whilst I was there, I began getting terrible headaches.
I was booked in for a head scan and it was confirmed that it had spread and I had brain metastasis.
I thought then that we are not messing around now, I am going to the best place, and I asked to be referred to The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre Liverpool.
I am so fortunate that Professor Carlo Palmieri, who took me on as a patient and from the very first visit I knew I was in safe hands. My mum and Mike came with me, and we were all completely gob smacked by the attention to detail, planning, communication and care I was given. Even now, I know exactly what is happening and I have scans every three months. Nothing is left to chance.
I am so grateful to have such a great care team around me. Jo, my breast cancer nurse and Chelsea my treatment nurse are always on hand for me, if I ever need anything.
The team have given me my life back and given me hope for the future.
I have had one Christmas with Clatterbridge and everyone I encountered made the hospital feel festive. My team wore lovely Christmassy earrings and hats (not Carlo of course) and the chemotherapy nurses too. They are all so positive and make you feel like a friend instead of a patient.
I am not sure when my next treatment day will be as it falls on Christmas Day this year, so I am hoping to have an extra week off.
I never thought I would be on the other side of treatment. I always thought I would be the one giving it, which is why I am supporting this year’s Fairy Appeal, as it is my way to give something back.
I am dedicating my Fairy to Professor Carlo Palmieri and the team. They all work so hard and really deserve it. A special mention goes to the enhanced care team as they are wonderful too. Nothing is too much for them and they bend over backwards to sort me out. Along with the chemotherapy nurses on floor 6, as they are so lovely and make you feel welcome. I love everyone at Clatterbridge from the receptionists, café staff, radiographers. I’ve never been treated so well.
I just say please support the Fairy Appeal because Clatterbridge have made a huge difference to me and the more people who can benefit from them the better. They’re a brilliant organisation and I can’t fault them. They’ve saved my life.”
