‘My story could have ended so differently’
Lesley Rae, 48, lives in Falkirk with her husband, Ian, 38, and sons, Callum, 22, and, Harris, nine. Once a month, as I showered, I’d check myself thoroughly for lumps or bumps or any unusual changes to my body. Working at Marks & Spencer, our store’s charity partner was Breast Cancer Now, so I’d learnt about the signs women should look out for.
When I felt a marble-sized lump at the top of my right breast in October 2018, I knew I needed to get it checked by the GP. But even when the doctor referred me to the breast clinic, I wasn’t worried. I told my husband that 90% of lumps were benign. I didn’t have time to be ill. My weeks were back-to-back with the school run, being on the PTA, a full-time job, a busy social life and time with Ian and my sons, Callum, then 20, and Harris, then seven.
Then, at the clinic, Ian and I were called into a room where I instantly spotted the Macmillan nurse and felt my heart drop. ‘I’m sorry, you have breast cancer,’ the surgeon told me softly. I tried to speak, but my mouth had gone dry. Sitting beside me, Ian was unusually quiet.
After breaking the news to our boys, life went on hold. Biopsy results revealed that I had a type of breast cancer called invasive ductal carcinoma. Three weeks later, I had a lumpectomy. As I’d found the lump early, the cancer hadn’t spread, which was a big relief.
Still, after Christmas 2018, I started chemotherapy. As my blonde hair fell out, Ian helped me to shave it, joining me in solidarity with a buzz cut.
In September 2019, and after 19 rounds of radiotherapy, I was cancer free. We were all elated, but I’m going through hormone treatment, which means I’ve been thrown into chemical menopause, and suffer with neuropathy – numbness at the side of my head and in my hands and feet – from the chemotherapy. Still, I feel grateful to be alive to tell my story. I know that if I hadn’t discovered that lump, it may have had a very different ending.