Jenna’s Story
Jenna, a 39 year old mum of two, was diagnosed when she was 36. Jenna wants to share her story to help other understand what it has been like for her, in the hop it helps others to navigate their journey.
“I felt young, fit and healthy, therefore I didn’t check. I am lucky mine was visible to make me check.”
How did you discover something unusual?
I saw a lump after sea swimming.
We’re you checking yourself regularly before being diagnosed?
No. I felt young, fit and healthy, therefore I didn’t check. I am lucky mine was visible to make me check.
Can you tell us more about what was found?
The lump was small and it was by my nipple, I thought it was milk duct and it would go down. The lump was hard and size of my little fingernail.
Can you describe your treatment plan?
I had a lumpectomy, followed by Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy. I am currently in hormone therapy.
What type and stage of breast cancer did you have?
I had grade 2/stage 2 – Hormonal positive cancer
How soon after finding something did you get diagnosed?
It took some time, as I found the lump on the morning of going on holiday, when I returned, I got checked and then one of the doctors had covid and my scan got delayed again.
Did you have any other symptoms?
No, but I was an anxious person.
How did you tell your children?
Yes. Telling our children. We decided to be open and honest with the children, I felt holding back would give them anxiety. Both boys seemed ok with everything that happened. The boys were 8 and 7 years old at the time. They tried wigs on with me and seemed unphased with the situation. Children live in the moment and do not think of Cancer as adults do.
What advice would you share with someone recently diagnosed?
Be kind to yourself, rest and get walking. Also, the team at the breast clinic were my main resource and I tried not to google.