“My name is Vicky, and when I was 30 years old, I was diagnosed with grade 3 triple negative breast cancer hit me like a truck, it was such a shock and I cried on the spot.
It all started in October 2023, when I was at home watching the Great British Bake Off and I noticed a lump in my breast. I knew it wasn’t normal for me and I waited until the following Monday to see if it was still there before going to see my doctor.
At my appointment, it was confirmed that there were now two lumps and I was referred to the breast clinic in Chester, where I had multiple ultrasounds and nine biopsies.
The following two weeks, whilst I was waiting for my results were agonising. I couldn’t eat, sleep and the only person I had told at this point was my partner Mick.
On the 29th November, it was confirmed that I had grade 3 triple negative breast cancer. Mick and I were due to fly out to South Africa two days later to spend the holidays with his family. But, instead we had to cancel as I was due to start treatment.
Christmas is my favourite time of year and here I was having to share the news that I would not be travelling to South Africa to spend it with our loved ones and that I had also been diagnosed with breast cancer.
The hardest person to tell was my mum. She works at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre on the Wirral (CCCW), in the administrative services team within the breast department, so it was all very close to home.
During our trip to South Africa, Mick was planning to propose. However, all was not lost, as we took a day trip to Llandudno and up the Great Orme. It was such a beautiful sunny day, we were the only two up there and that’s when Mick got down on one knee.
From January to May of this year, I received chemotherapy at CCCW and spending so much time there, I really got to know the nurses on the Delamere Ward. They were all so lovely, especially as Mick worked in the army so he couldn’t always be with me. Planning for a wedding was a welcome distraction, I would talk to the nurses about my plans, who happily shared their special days with me.
In July, following my chemotherapy, I had a single mastectomy with reconstructive surgery. This was then followed by three weeks of radiotherapy everyday back at CCCW.
A day you can’t prepare yourself for, is finally ringing the bell to mark the end of your treatment. I was with my mum, grandma and sister and it was such an emotional day.
I’m really looking forward to the future. We have set the date for our wedding, which will be in July 2026 and we can’t wait to celebrate with our loved ones.
I am a Christmassy girl through and through and I am glad that the last 12 months have come full circle, and I can really enjoy Christmas this year.
That is why I am supporting this year’s Fairy Appeal to support the one in two across Merseyside and Cheshire who will be affected by cancer.”
The Fairy Appeal enables everyone to dedicate a virtual Fairy, whether it be in memory of a loved one, a special someone in their life or a staff member.
“I am dedicating my Fairy to my mum, as I couldn’t have done this without her. She looked after me so much whilst I was going through treatment. Letting me move home during the second bout of chemotherapy which kicked my butt or when I was at home, batch-cooking me chilli so I would have food for the week. She really is a superstar.”
If you would like to dedicate a Fairy to someone special, then please click here.
