Fishing For Life
Sue Earle was 62 when she found a golf ball sized lump deep in her armpit in November 2008.
Sue explains more; I recall having a clear mammogram a few months earlier therefore I didn’t think it was anything to worry about however a referral to my local breast service was made by my GP which is when it was discovered that I had breast cancer cells in my lymph nodes.
I had to undergo a lymph node clearance followed by chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and hormone therapy, all as strong as I could stand because we didn’t know whether it had spread.
I feel so lucky they found it as it was so deep in. My advice to anyone checking their breasts (something we should all do regularly) is to always check your breast tissue around your breasts and in your arm pits – if I hadn’t done this my cancer may have progressed and been untreatable, thankfully it was picked up early.
When I went to my appointment, I was either in denial or not taking it seriously because of the clear mammogram a few months prior. It was only after the biopsy that it hit me. My son is a Vet, so he came with me, and he and the oncologist worked out what treatment would give me the best odds. I was in a daze. Again, another piece of advice, if you are diagnosed with breast cancer please take someone with you as most of the information you are given is unlikely to sink in.
I had my operation around Christmas time and started chemo shortly after.
At that time, I lived in Exeter, near to the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital, so I went to The Force Cancer Support Centre. I live alone, so it was an amazing support. I am not sure how I would have got through without them. I also had wonderful neighbours, who formed a Rota to do my shopping and take me for treatment in the periods when I couldn’t drive.
The best advice I can give is don’t fret. Anxiety doesn’t help. Recovery from the op was very straight forward, although frustrating because I couldn’t drive. However, grocery deliveries are very helpful. I made big pots of chicken stew, etc, so that I had good food with the minimum of effort. A slow cooker was great, uneaten portions going in the freezer for another day.
Chemo was not pleasant. However chemo brain helps in a funny sort of way, as nothing is quite as important as it was. For me it was, one-week grotty, one week improving, then a good week, then all over again. Anti sickness medication helped. Do nice things only during this time, particularly in the good week, but don’t overdo it. Your body needs all your energy to heal. I found meditation and gentle yoga were good for me.
Small amounts of fitness helped me with my recovery. I have always been fit so when a friend suggested Fishing For Life I was keen to go along and give it a try. It was so much fun, and I made lots of wonderful new friends too. I was taught a variety of new skills as well as just the right exercise to counter lymphodema. I learnt how to cast straight and gently drop the fly approximately where I wanted it.
The biggest thing I have learnt is to go with the flow through the treatments. Medicine advances so quickly which means that most cancers can be treated if caught early enough and treatments are improving all the time. Try relaxation, eating good healthy food and the right exercise. Nothing is more important than getting through as well as you can; and take all the help and support you can.
Your family will be affected, worrying about you. Try not to take it on yourself. Guide them to support, be honest with them, but also make it clear you need to focus on getting well again for them.
The support centre like The Mustard Tree is brilliant at Derriford Hospital. I used Force a lot based at RD&E Wondford because it was closer to me. Without them I would have felt very much alone. Having people to talk to who understand is as important as having a supportive family.
If like me you need help to get those arms moving again after surgery and after checking with your Breast Care Nurse, you might like to consider https://www.southwestfishingforlife.org.uk/ they are a group of friendly light minded people who will help you every step of the way. I cannot recommend them enough.