Lottie's story

Meet Lottie – a true inspirational power woman! She is a full-time artist, enjoys baking and loves going for a cold water swim.


Tell us a bit about yourself:

I am Charlotte Rennie aka Lottie aka Pomegranate Peaches. I am married to my husband Tim for 16 years now and I am a full time Watercolour Artist. I am also a part-time Bespoke Wedding Florist & Photographer. My favourite hobby is to cold water/wild swim. I have cold water or wild swam around 12 times so far this year, from Orkney to Yorkshire to Cornwall to the River Trent. I am also a gym goer and I love to bake. I love the forest, lakes & mountains.


Describe yourself in 3 words:

I asked Tim: Creative, zealous & comedic.


A fun fact about yourself:

My breasts weighed 1.5 stone, honestly!!! I weighed myself the day of my BMX & then again 2 days later. An awkward but true fun fact. Laugh rather than cry ;-) Also I swam just off the Island of Shapinsay (Orkney) mid-winter when the water temperature was 5 degrees Celsius. I absolutely loved every minute of it.


When were you diagnosed with breast cancer?

On 13th October 2017 at the age of 33 years old.


How did you feel when you first found out?

I felt like I had been given a death sentence. I truly thought I would die & wouldn’t make it to the summer of 2018. I was shocked. Angry. Upset. I became very insular.


What type of treatment/surgery did you have?

6 months of chemotherapy into a Port / a Bilateral Prophylactic Mastectomy (no reconstruction) / 3 weeks of radiotherapy / Zoladex Injections for 6+ months / Tamoxifen for 12 months / a Full Radical Hysterectomy / After Hysterectomy, swapped Tamoxifen to Anastrazole / Bisphosphonates. I also found out that I carry the BRCA2 Gene.


Was there anyone or anything that helped you get through it all?

My Faith. My husband Tim. My closest friends, a cliché comment, but they know who they are. Some family too. Plus, my medical team, they are all awesome, loyal & patient. Also, Suits!!! The TV series got me through the endless Chemo, I think I watched 6 seasons during chemo. Lastly, my fish & my kittens. The day I went for my first lot of tests (pre-diagnosis) I sat & watched my fish in the pond outside for 7 hours straight. Not talking to anyone. Just watching them weave through the plants & water. And my kittens, 2 boys. They are always by my side and make me smile. But most of all, my husband Tim. He is my rock, my strength, the one who brings me back down to earth, the one who persistently reminds me that they got all the cancer & other aspects of my positive results, the one who’s seen it all, the one who keeps my head above water, the one who looks at me just the same despite my visible & invisible battle wounds. He’s my number one man.


What are you looking forward to?

I am looking forward to getting reconstruction at some point in the future.


Do you have any advice or tips you would like to share with other ladies?

Ask questions and lots of them. Don’t be afraid to call the shots on some of your timings and treatments, but always remember that they are the experts, but you do have the right to have a say in your timings and treatment, nonetheless. For those that have had chemo, shave your hair off one last time, one month after chemotherapy has finished. This gets rid of the fine growth & encourages new, thicker hair. For those whose hair grew back curly too like mine, research the Curly Girl Method. This will help you to properly look after your new delicate curls. Lastly, do everything your Consultant and Oncologist asks you to, from walking daily to eating well during chemo. Whatever they ask you to do, do it! There is always a reason why they are asking you to do such things. It’s for your benefit!


What is your favourite Nicola Jane Bra?

Easily the Valerie Bra in Mink! A dear friend purchased this one from Nicola Jane as a gift for me.


What is your favourite Nicola Jane Swimsuit?

The Tokyo Swimsuit (S206). So comfy and flattering.


5 quick-fire questions:
  • Cats or dogs? Dogs (don’t tell my cats that)
  • Coffee or tea? Tea (don’t tell Coffee)
  • Books or movies? Both
  • Scrambled or fried? Neither (gags)
  • Spring or Autumn? Spring
Written By

Comments


By Ree
13 Aug 2022
"Thank You"
Thank you for sharing your story.

By Kim Godenho
19 Feb 2022
"Wonderful"
Well done!! It’s nots a easy journey as I have been through this myself, first time 12years ago also chemotherapy, radiotherapy and heseptin this journey took 2years then I had reconstruction twice, two years ago I was diagnosed with bowel cancer which I’m through now and then breast cancer again in my other side, couldn’t believe the luck.
I have recently had a double mastectomy no more reconstruction this time and I’m also doing the genetic testing, just to see.
Like yourself my family,friends and of course my wonderful husband have been my rock, I feel that I can’t change the way this nasty disease comes into our lives but being positive and listening to our doctors/nurses brings us through this journey.
I wish you all the very best and hope all your dreams come true.

By Valerie Weavers
18 May 2021
Comment
You are such a positive and brave lady Lottie and I love your sense of humour. Well done for telling your story it can't have been easy. I've had breast cancer too, ten years ago and got through it, not as young as you or as severe I must admit but I have had a mastectomy. I too love art and use pastels now for pets portraits. I think Art is one of the best interests to have. I love swimming but I'm not as brave as you when it comes to cold water but after reading your story perhaps I'm missing out and ought to try it one day!
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