Being my first blog post, I thought it best to write about this as I feel it will help you in some way to understand why it was important for me to overhaul both my diet and my lifestyle so that I would never find myself in that position again. I am fully confident that what I have learned, and the steps that I have taken, that if followed, will help you to feel protected and more at ease during times of stress, illness, and the menopausal stages of life.

Throughout the Well Hello, Katie!™ website and blog, you will find tips and coping mechanisms to help you on your journey from; what you eat and drink, to how you think and manage your feelings, to the time you spend in just ‘being’. It’s an all encompassing membership providing you with information that will stay with you for the rest of your life and which can be passed down to the next generation and so on. The knowledge gained will never need to be modernised, only adapted. You will know what feels right for YOU.

Breast Cancer Diagnosis

It was December 2015. I was 42 years old. I thought everything was ticking along nicely. Yes, I was stressed and feeling tired after a busy year in the office and managing family life, but I knew that Christmas was approaching and, oh, how I love this time of year. Christmas movies, the Hallmark channel, chocolate, Mum’s sprouts, a few glasses of sherry, and above all carols and Christmas Eve mass! The festive season would provide me with that much needed time to recharge my batteries as running an accountancy practice was no easy task.

So, that Christmas, whilst shopping for presents, my sister (who had just arrived home from England) looked at me and said ‘You need to change your make-up, you’re looking a bit grey!’ Thanking Vicky for the compliment, I put this new look down to the past year being a bit too heavy for me and assigned the ‘greyness’ to this while promising to make 2016 a more enjoyable year. Little did I know that I would soon be seeing a lot more of my sister. As I soaked up the merry atmosphere, off I went about my business, promising to add – ‘change my cosmetics’ – to my resolution list. Christmas was wonderful, and the New Year chimed in a sense of adventure. 2016 was going to be a great year!

Eleven days later, on a grey Monday morning, my right hand holding the telephone, my left fidgeting with the stapler, I found myself contacting my doctor to let her know that I had noticed something in one of my breasts … a change … an ever so slight type of change mind you … a sort of ‘you would have to look twice type.’  While walking to my G.P.’s practice, I tried to console myself, hoping that my inner voice, that churning feeling, was wrong. But, I knew, and so did my doctor. She acted swiftly. Within three days, I found myself, with my mum by my side, being told the news that they believed I had breast cancer and to return one week later for the full results. The ultrasound showed the presence of tumours, five to be exact, which I later referred to as the ‘Gremlins.’

After a silent car journey home with Mum, Dad opened the front door to a daughter’s look of disbelief etched across her face. I tried to minimise the impact of this news for Dad who was 85 years at the time, but no one can prepare a parent for a cancer diagnosis no matter how old their child is. That evening, we sat in shock around the kitchen table not really knowing what to say. I carried on as normal for the next week not saying anything to anyone until my second visit to the Breast Clinic the following Thursday. Were they wrong? Maybe the results will return from England a negative and it was all just a misunderstanding? A bad dream perhaps? Only my family knows, so people will be none the wiser.

At the time, I pondered on my mum’s silent reaction to my diagnosis, wondering if I myself had somehow aged her, transporting her into a world of science fiction filled with chemicals and radiation. She is seven years younger than Dad, but age can’t shield shock. Some weeks later, when I quizzed her on this, she replied – ‘ I knew you’d be fine, you’re a strong woman. We have each other and that’s all that matters. Don’t forget to say your prayers and to thank God that you’re still alive!’ That was it. A Mother’s total and absolute belief that I was going to be ok.

Cancer Treatment

I was told I was lucky. Caught in time, but not enough time to freeze my eggs. ‘We need to get you in.’ The prognosis was good for Stage 2 breast cancer. So, I prepared myself for the chemicals. I was in shock, my mind an F1 racing track of noise and disbelief. A plan of action was prepared, the timetable drawn up. Two weeks later, I find myself sitting in the ‘chemo’ chair with my left arm stretched out and the cannula in place. I looked around the room noticing I was the youngest person there. A wink from a kind nurse and a smile from a patient across from me calmed me slightly. As my eyes filled with tears, I promised myself this was the last time I would cry for cancer. No more attention for Stripe and friends!

For the three months of chemotherapy, I did everything I was told to do by my medical team who were ‘God’ to me. After the first day of treatment, I went to try on wigs and found the perfect Britney Spears look (seriously Katherine!). Much to the surprise of my oncologist, I still had a full head of hair for the second round of chemotherapy and wondered if I was indeed the ‘patient prodigy.’ Sadly, the hair started to come out in tufts, one after another, until the day before my third treatment, I finally succumbed to having my head shaved. Britney was now my new friend.

From early February to May, I put on a brave face and attended each of my chemotherapy sessions wishing away the weeks until it was all over. Vicky flew home to be with me for each of my sessions, and a few weeks after my final one, she came home for a fortnight to help me recover from the surgery. My mastectomy was scheduled for the middle of June to give my body a break. While I was not sick during chemotherapy, I had certainly become a different person, both in body and mind. I was unrecognisable, and I was in shock. The hot flushes had started, quite aggressively actually, and my bones felt old. That’s what I could feel, but I asked myself, ‘how is my body coping within?’ It must be a wreck? Funnily enough, I had lots of energy in the five week break before my surgery. Walking and climbing hills was not a problem for me. ‘See … a walk in the park!’ I said to myself reassuringly.

While I drank my last alcoholic drink on the day I found that change, my diet remained the same, which at the time, I thought was healthy; tinned soup, sliced pan, meat, tuna, dairy, eggs, and desserts/pastries whenever I liked. Cravings kicked in from fish n’chips to lemon drizzle cake to even a late night request for prune juice – all catered for by my loving brother. I gained weight, and I looked five months pregnant.

The surgical day came and went. That morning sitting in the waiting room at 7.30am, I was a nervous wreck , but yet another wink, this time from a four year old boy, which knocked some sense into me telling me to ‘grow up and be brave.’ The following three days in hospital, I was the happiest person alive. The cancer had been removed … it was gone, and I had to wait a week for the full results. On the night of my surgery, an array of lights appeared over my bed and I knew that my guardian angel was with me. In case you are wondering – the morphine drip was tapped only twice!

Hormones

The results arrived back, and the five tumors had become seven, and the breast cancer had flipped to become aggressive HER 2 positive. I now required 18 injections of Herceptin over a 12 month period. Radiation treatment of 25 sessions was also required which would commence in the autumn. Both of these treatments were deemed to be preventative which would help to see me into my 80s. At the start of this, I was put on the drug ‘Tamoxifen’ for what was expected to be for a five year period with the possibility of a change to a different drug for another five years which would see me into my menopausal years. Another walk, but in a different park. The Herceptin was fine, but the radiation knocked me for six. By the time I reached Christmas 2016, my weight plummeted to a nervously frail look. The last twelve months had taken its toll and my body woke up to its new home screaming for help!

Holistic Living

I was ready for my reincarnation! I had ditched the wig and adopted a new dark pixie look (despite wishing to return as a Swedish blonde). It was time to repair and take action … Fast!
My body was in turmoil and it needed proper cleansing and nourishment while gentle at the same time. During my treatment, I spent most of my time reading philosophical and ‘meaning of life’ books written by old wises, books on nutritional guidance and the human body, leading me to question the food that I eat. I attended weekly acupuncture sessions, and embraced seaweed baths. I also protected my mind by watching ‘nice’ films, avoiding the news, and only happy talk was permitted. Most importantly, I never researched Cancer itself or its treatment. I focused on health.

My Rebirth

Looking back at 2015. There were times I found myself wondering … Is this it? The excitement of running my own practice eventually gave way to the feeling of being trapped. Deep down, I knew there was something not quite right with my world, but never would I have guessed that, at that time, my body was battling a serious situation. The feeling of fear that came over me during those final months of 2015 will stay with me as a reminder to watch out for the signals.

Our intuition lets us know when something isn’t quite right. The Universe took charge and kicked me off my path placing me on the correct route, albeit, I feel a gentler message could have been sent, perhaps a letter in the post …but, I didn’t listen. I was in tune to the outside world instead of the world inside, and that is why I am grateful today for being given this second chance. Today, I am medication free, fit, healthy, and full of energy with very little menopausal symptoms.

Well, Hello Katie!™ is Here to Help

What we consume is paramount to our health. The odd juice or smoothie won’t cut it. Understanding, adopting, and being consistent is key to change for the better. But, it’s up to YOU!

Listen to your body, and above all to your instinct. That whisper will ever so slowly become louder until it loses its patience and hits you in the face with reality.

Going through an illness or trying to heal from a chronic symptom or condition is not fun, but together we can face it, and eventually overcome it … If that is what life has planned for us. We are all on a unique journey.

So, Ladies, let’s do this together!

Katherine X

P.S. The name for this blog came from my mum who greets me every day with a cheery ‘Hello Katie!’

Disclaimer:

The advice and information provided on the “Website” is for informational purposes only and should not be considered healthcare advice or medical diagnosis, treatment, medication, or remedy. None of this information should be considered a promise of benefits, a claim of cures, a legal warranty or a guarantee of results to be achieved. This information is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other healthcare professionals, or any notifications or instructions contained in or on any product label or packaging. You should not use this information for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment. You should consult with a healthcare professional before altering or discontinuing any current medications, treatment or care, starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem.