Nicola’s story
‘Looking back, I don’t think I could have done it without Blythe House Hospice. It was a real lifeline to me that I didn’t realise I needed.’
It was just a month after her 50th birthday in July 2023 that Nicola Whitelaw from Buxton, who had no history of cancer in the family, found a lump in her breast.
‘I did 50 challenges for my 50th birthday: running, doing different walks, feeding 50 birds, planting 50 bulbs in my garden. I didn’t think facing breast cancer would be one of my 50 challenges to be fair.
‘I was in the shower when I found a lump. It was a Sunday, and I managed to get an appointment on the Monday morning; you know you can never get an appointment, but I was straight in.
‘They referred me to the breast clinic at Macclesfield and very quickly I had several mammograms and ultrasound biopsy, and I kind of knew. Everyone was saying “it won’t be”, but I just knew in my head that it was.’
Following further tests, it was determined that Nicola had breast cancer, and an MRI scan was carried out to determine if it was anywhere else in her body.
‘They did actually find three tumours; one tumour with two spurred off. I didn’t realise that it is size and type that determines if you must have surgery or not. The breast clinic at Macclesfield was amazing and very quick with things. I had the surgery in October, a full mastectomy with reconstruction.
‘After the surgery they sent the tumour to a team in America to determine the plan for treatment. It came back that it was two different variants of hormonal cancer.’
A tailored treatment plan was drawn up for Nicola which involved six lots of chemotherapy, three of one variant and three of another, and 15 lots of radiotherapy.
‘I would say to others going through chemo to try a cold cap, I managed three sessions with a cold cap, and I would say to anyone go for that. If you can get over the first five minutes you can do it.
‘It didn’t work for me and my hair ended up falling out in handfuls. For me personally that was more traumatic than the diagnosis, for me to lose my hair as I had massive thick curls.’
Throughout her diagnosis and treatment Nicola received tremendous support from her family, friends and colleagues and was introduced to Blythe House Hospice.
‘A friend of mind told me about the Breast Friends group at Blythe House Hospice, so I started coming before I had my surgery and then just continued to come.
‘Karen Clayton (Hub nurse) supported me when I had my surgery and through all my treatment. She is just amazing; what a pillar of strength. Karen used to phone me and tell me what to expect and if this happens or that happens that they were always there for me.
‘She has got so much knowledge on breast cancer awareness and also introduced me to the Wednesday cancer group which is amazing. People attend that group who had different variations of cancer. We had different topics to cover, which were all relevant to everyone.
‘We did all sorts of things like mindfulness, learning how to cope with different appointments, providing different strategies. At the group everyone is in the same boat; having gone through it, are going through it, or out at the other end. Everyone can support each other.
‘For me losing my hair was traumatic but I knew when I walked in there no one would bat an eye. The people I have met in this group, they are friends for life. That is how close that bond is. You are sharing things that can be so hard to talk about and are close to your heart.
‘That strength you get from others, you just can’t buy that. Having cancer is not like having a cold, that you just get over it stays with you, it is something to learn to live with.
‘I have also had reiki and reflexology with Kate. All these things really help your general wellbeing, and you are able to cope with the anxieties and stresses. I also had some counselling, and later, physiotherapy with Angela Salisbury.
‘Blythe House Hospice has supported me in whatever way I have needed throughout that journey. Whatever my needs were, they have met my needs.
Although at the time I didn’t really feel like I needed that, when you are going through it, I was so relieved to have that safety net.
‘Looking back, I don’t think I could have done it without Blythe House. It was a real lifeline to me that I didn’t realise I needed. Just to walk in this place, it feels like you are being welcomed with a warm hug. You don’t realise how powerful it is.
‘As soon as you are welcomed through that door and greeted by those on reception you feel relaxed, at ease, it feels comfortable and safe. I feel so lucky I have had that support, a lot of people out there don’t get this.’
Nicola finished her treatment in May 2024 and said: ‘I will be on Tamoxifen for the next ten years and will have annual breast screening, so hopefully that is it.’
Since then, Nicola, who used to run 35 to 40 miles a week and was very active with a hectic life, is gradually working her way back to full fitness.
‘The physio referred me to a rehab programme at my gym, that I have always attended. I am back running more; I have even managed a spin class and attend the gym twice a week.’
She is also giving her support others facing breast cancer and life limiting illnesses. In June she completed the 22-mile walk raising funds for breast cancer, and has also been helping the fundraising team at Blythe House by volunteering to support events such as Hope Show, Chatsworth Show, Jingle Bell Jog and Chatsworth 10k.
‘I love it; everyone is really lovely, and I feel if I can give something back to help just one other person I would do it.’
For more information about the services at Blythe House Hospice, please follow the link below.
