“I’m Still Living My Life”: Julie’s Breast Cancer Journey
In the summer of 2018, everything changed. What started as a small concern with a lump in her right breast, Julie quickly realised it might be something more serious.
“I wasn’t too worried at first but three weeks later I went to the doctor. I was referred to the breast care unit and they knew straight away.” Julie was diagnosed with stage three primary breast cancer. “It was traumatising. No one prepares you for that.”
Holding everything together
At the time, her children were still young at just nine years old and in their early teens. Despite the shock, Julie and her family chose openness. “We told them what they needed to know, when they needed to know it.” Her husband became her anchor. “He’s very calm, very pragmatic and he supported me through everything, and still does.”
Treatment and resilience
Because of the size of the tumour, Julie began intensive chemotherapy before surgery. “It was really, really tough and I was very ill.” Yet even during treatment, life didn’t stop completely. “I was still doing the school run. I was still working.” At the time, Julie worked outdoors which was something that became a quiet source of strength. “Being outside in nature really helped me rather than sitting on the sofa feeling upset.”
Finding strength in unexpected places
Losing her hair which is something many fear became an unexpectedly empowering moment. “I actually enjoyed shaving my head and thought I’m never going to do this again – why not?” Even in the hardest moments, there were glimpses of light. Her young son, trying to make sense of it all, bringing humour and innocence to the situation. “He’d say things like, ‘Mum, just make sure you don’t get hair in my sandwiches!’”
A moment of hope
After surgery and radiotherapy, Julie received the news she had been hoping for. “I was told I was cured.” There was celebration, relief, and a renewed outlook on life. “I came out of it thinking life is precious. Be grateful and make the most of it.”
When everything changed again
Just a few months later, something didn’t feel right. “I had a rash and then lumps again. I knew something wasn’t right.” In early 2020, Julie was diagnosed with stage four metastatic breast cancer. “It was a whole different level.”
Adapting to a new reality
With the world entering lockdown, Julie found herself navigating this next chapter from home, surrounded by her family. “It actually gave us time together where we could just be at home as a family.”
Determined to do everything she could, Julie explored a more holistic approach alongside her medical treatment. “I changed my whole lifestyle.” But the biggest shift came from within. “I focused on stress and learning how to relax, let go, and manage things differently.”
That mindset has stayed with her. Julie receives ongoing chemotherapy, which works alongside the shifts that she has made throughout her lifestyle. “I’ve been stable since then and I think that’s played a big part.”
Discovering Lady McAdden Breast Cancer Trust
Although Julie had heard of Lady McAdden before her diagnosis, it wasn’t until later after attending a retreat day that she discovered the full extent of the support available.
“I didn’t realise how much had changed with the charity or what was on offer.” From that moment, she became part of the community.
A place to connect, share and feel understood
Julie began attending classes at the Sanctuary, starting with NLP sessions. “It was a brilliant atmosphere because it was so motivating and so supportive.”
From art classes to book club, each experience brought something different but all shared one thing in common – connection. “I feel like I can now offer hope to others who are earlier in their journey.”
A space where nothing is forgotten
Living with long term cancer brings its own challenges particularly when others begin to move on. “People forget sometimes and they just expect you to be ‘normal’ again.”
At Lady McAdden, that experience is understood. “When I come here, it’s different. It’s a place where I can talk about it freely and where people get it.”
