Claire's Inspiring Breast Cancer Journey

The mother of 2 was diagnosed with breast cancer less than a year ago and has been having chemotheraphy treatment during the lockdown.

My name is Claire and I am 47 years old. I am the proud mum of 2 teenage daughters and Mabel, our golden retriever.  My time is usually spent with running my 2 teenage girls around to school and college. My eldest is currently learning to drive and I am also busy looking after our dog.

I was diagnosed in Dec 2019 with breast cancer and I was 47. I have had a lumpectomy operation and lymph node removal. I think losing my hair, eyelashes and eyebrows has been one of the hardest things to go through.When my fiancé shaved my hair off was one of the worst days and then losing it completely with chemo was a very dark time. I have 2 great wigs which made me feel so confident, now my hair is really growing back.

When I first got diagnosed, I remember asking ‘Am I going to die?’ and all I could think about was my children, I wanted to see them get married and have children of their own. The day when I told them will stay with me forever.  My fiancé and my children have been my complete rocks I would never have made it without them! You never think you will be told the words that you have breast cancer especially when there is no history of breast cancer in your family.

My main advice for others going through the breast cancer journey is to take each day as it comes! You cannot rush anything, and you have to rely on and trust the people that know what they are doing as it’s totally out of your control.  I have met some amazing ladies and made some great friends during my treatment. Especially having my page on Instagram (@breastbae_) has made it easy to connect with ladies that are going through the same as you. I also have 2 great wigs which made me feel so confident, now my hair is really growing back.  I love my make-up, and this has helped me on my darkest days just to look at the mirror and look like I did before it has given me strength and positivity.

I came across Nicola Jane as I was one of the lucky women to win it in a competition on Instagram with FutureDreams and Helen Addis (@thetittygritty). I was sent the 
Florence bra [7046] which I absolutely love. It is such a beautiful and feminine bra and I have found that all the bras are beautifully designed and super-comfortable to wear. My other favourite product is the Animal Scooped Neck Safari Swimsuit [6235] and the Ibiza Bikini [S218]. I will definitely be ordering these for my honeymoon. 




 
We are hoping next year will be rather different to 2020.  My partner and I were due to get married this year, but it will now be next year. We are planning to go to the Maldives for our honeymoon. I am really excited and I am looking forward to treating myself to some swimsuits for this trip! Finding Nicola Jane has made me feel like a woman again!

 

A Bit Of Fun:


A fun fact about yourself?
At the start of my journey I designed a boob mug which was sold locally, and the money made will be going to where I have my chemotherapy and immunotherapy.? 

Biggest achievement in life to date?
My children are my world and have been my biggest achievement to date after suffering miscarriages.

How would you describe yourself in three words?
I am loyal, confident and a very good listener.

How have you kept yourself busy during the lockdown period?
I have always tried to keep fit and eat healthily and before my diagnosis I was at the gym 2/3 a week. During lockdown and since my diagnosis it has been very difficult, so I have done lots of walking with our golden retriever Mabel. We live in the country so we have plenty of fields nearby. Throughout lockdown I have also been busy with hospital appointments having chemotherapy and my operation.

If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?
My superhero strength would be invisibility - I would love to see what everyone is doing!


If you were holding a dinner party and could invite any 5 guests (dead or alive!) who would you invite? My favourite guests to a dinner party would be George Michael, Meghan Markle, Freddie Mercury, Lorraine, and Victoria Beckham.
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