Why the title? It’s the first thing I said when I was given my diagnosis. I’m 55, a mother of 2, grandmother of 2 and married to a wonderful man.
It has been an horrendous year for us. My father in law died just before Christmas suddenly. We couldn’t go to his funeral because of Covid restrictions at the time. My father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s 3 years ago and has been declining ever since. We realised my mother in law was also suffering from dementia and couldn’t cope alone, even with carers. Both are now in different care homes.
Normal life is being the main carer for my 28 year daughter who has severe learning disabilities, epilepsy and Pseudohypoparathyroism (PHP1a). I work almost full time for a local authority, supporting ICT in schools. My husband is a computer programmer and is totally blind. My son and his partner have 2 beautiful little girls.
On July 31 I went for my routine mammogram screening. I wasn’t worried about it, just something you get on with. On August 16th I had my recall appointment. I’ve never been as terrified. My son dropped me off and my friend was coming to meet me. Very quickly I was ushered into a room by one of the breast care nurses. There was a difference between my latest and previous mammograms. I would be having an ultrasound and biopsy there and then. I don’t remember much more as I was in such a panic. How I didn’t just run away I don’t know. Ultrasound showed something suspicious. I went home after in like a zombie. I don’t have time for this…
