Deb was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011. At the time, she was married with four children. She had a mastectomy, chemotherapy and endured exhausting side-effects from treatment. She is hopeful that by 2030 there will be zero deaths from breast cancer. Read her letter below.
Dear Deb,
In 2010 you found a lump on your left collar bone. Thinking it was a cyst, you didn’t stress and continued on with your life. Until early 2011 your GP suggested having an ultrasound. This was the beginning of your breast cancer journey.
You heard the words in the doctor’s office, ‘You have breast cancer’, and you cried with your best friend. The worst part of the news was breaking it your husband and four children; you had no idea what this meant for yours and their lives. Your husband packed you all up and took you away for a weekend before all the treatment started. What a journey of strength and endurance you’ve had, undergoing a mastectomy, chemo, identity loss sickness and exhaustion. But you have survived, you are stronger than ever before. And here we are in 2030 and we live in a world with no deaths from breast cancer. Your daughter who is now 20 will never have to go through what you did. I wish this could have happened earlier, as Aunt Jackie would still be alive.
Much love to you, Deb xxxx