Janet’s story
‘[Blythe House] has been a godsend, without a doubt.’
On her 70th birthday, Janet Birks received the devastating news that she had breast cancer. In the UK, women aged between 50 and 71 are invited for NHS breast screening every three years.
When Janet was called for a routine mammogram in 2022, she believed it would likely be her last, as she was about to turn 70. Janet, who lives in New Mills with her husband, John, explains: ‘So off I went as normal, but then I received a recall letter for the first time ever.
‘I just assumed they needed to do another scan – that’s what I went in thinking, as I had never been recalled in all the years of having mammograms.
‘But when I arrived, they gave me the news – on my 70th birthday. Fortunately, my daughter and husband were with me.
‘When they told me what they had found, I was numb. It didn’t sink in. I looked at John, then turned to Claire, my daughter – I just couldn’t believe what they were saying.
‘I had always checked myself and hadn’t felt anything, so I think that’s why it was such a shock. They explained that sometimes you can’t feel a lump, depending on where it is.
‘I cried. John was upset. We couldn’t take it all in. Thankfully, Claire was with us and was able to remember everything they said about what would happen next.’
Janet’s treatment journey
Janet’s treatment plan included both chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but it couldn’t start immediately due to concerns about her high blood pressure. Once that was under control, she suffered a reaction and had to switch to a different type of chemotherapy.
Her treatment at Chesterfield Royal Hospital and Weston Park in Sheffield also involved injections every three weeks for 18 months, finishing in March 2024. She will continue taking medication for the next 10 years.
Janet said: ‘It was 12 months after chemotherapy and radiotherapy that everything really hit me – I started struggling with anxiety. I spoke to my nurses, and they recommended that I visit Blythe House Hospice.’
Finding support at Blythe House
Janet says: ‘I had always known Blythe House was there, but I thought it was only for people at the end of life. I had no idea about the range of support they provide. When I finally went, I couldn’t believe it.’
Janet first met with Karen Clayton, Community Hub nurse: ‘We had a really lovely chat, and I felt like I could open up to her about how I truly felt.
‘I think part of it is that your family is going through this with you, and you don’t always want to tell them exactly how you feel – you don’t want to hurt them.’
For Janet, Blythe House has been life-changing: ‘It has been a godsend, without a doubt.
‘Both Karen, and Emma Richardson are wonderful, as are all the receptionists – everyone I’ve met has been so kind. As soon as you walk through the door, you feel at home.’
Janet regularly attends the monthly Breast Friends group and the weekly Wellbeing Wednesdays: ‘It has certainly helped. I still have bad days and think about everything I went through.
‘Some weeks I feel fine, but other times I still feel scared and apprehensive. It’s the unknown. Until you’ve been through something like this, you don’t realise the intensity of how it affects your life, your family, and both your body and mind.
‘I imagine anyone who experiences something like this carries some lasting impact -how you think, how you feel, and how you see life changes.
‘Breast Friends, run by Karen, is really supportive. Everyone there is on their own breast cancer journey, and that shared understanding makes a huge difference.
‘At the Wednesday afternoon group, we all face different challenges, but by attending, you know you’re not alone – help is there.’
Life beyond cancer
To support the valuable work of Blythe House Hospice, Janet and her friends regularly attend the monthly fundraising coffee mornings.
Janet and John, who have six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, also enjoy spending time at their static caravan on the coast.
After retiring, they sold their home and spent 10 years traveling across Europe in their motorhome, frequently visiting France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Spain -often spending the winter months abroad.
‘We bought the caravan in Skegness to have a base whenever we returned to the UK. When we stopped traveling, we decided to keep it, and we still spend lots of time there with our family.’
For more information about the services at Blythe House Hospice, please follow the link below.
