A Belfast mum has described the feeling of when she was diagnosed with cancer as if a 'bomb' had gone off in her life.
Loretta Nolan, from Andersonstown, was diagnosed with breast cancer after noticing a change in her breast, and after closer examination also detected a lump.
The mum-of-three has opened up on her diagnosis and how her first thoughts were how her husband Artie and children, Emma, 29, Mark, 26 and Ciara 23, would cope with the devastating news.
Read more: NI mum's pride for young children as she is told cancer is terminal
She explained: "The first sign that something wasn’t quite right was when I noticed that my left nipple became inverted, and on closer examination, I discovered a lump above my nipple on the 14th of September 2021. I was referred to a consultant and along with being examined, I had a mammogram, scan and a biopsy. We were brought back in for the results, but by then I think I knew in my heart that I had breast cancer. My diagnosis was non-specific Breast Cancer in my left breast. I was Herceptin and oestrogen positive.
"Looking back on that time I felt lost, I wondered how I was going to fight this and was concerned about how my husband and children were going to face this. I was mostly worried about how this would affect my family and how we would navigate everyone’s emotions, feelings, and heartache. I have to say at this point of diagnosis nothing seemed real. I still looked and felt the same and it was hard to comprehend what lay ahead of us all, so I focused on trying to be strong."
"My husband Artie and my children were absolutely fantastic through this whole journey, I am where I am because of the support and love we have for each other. Naturally, when we told the children they all cried, they were frightened and overwhelmed but still managed to think positively about what was ahead.
"My husband went into protective mode and was a tower of strength to me, of course, he was frightened, but we knew we could do this. The worst part about all of this was the waiting to hear what treatment would be offered to me and how we would cope with it."
Loretta's treatment plan consisted of six months of chemotherapy and after the first three she found out that the tumour, which was originally 4cms had shrunk by 50% to 2cms.
Following her final three sessions, the tumour had shrunk further and Loretta underwent a mastectomy on her left breast and had a lymph node removed. It was then she received the incredible news that she was cancer free, but the journey wasn't over there as she needed time to recover emotionally and mentally.
"Physically I feel good, a few aches and pains that I didn’t have before and emotionally I am still working through what was a really tough and traumatic time, but I am getting there slowly. I feel so lucky that I can talk to my husband and my children about how I feel, we are good support for each other.
"I think there are two battles to fight with cancer, the physical one, and a psychological one. It takes time to work through the psychological impact that cancer has, it really is like a bomb into your life - but I am so thankful for Artie and my kids," added Loretta.
She continued: "I have spoken with other women who have been on this breast cancer journey, and I have to say everyone that I spoke to has been so humble and supportive of my journey. I spoke to these women at the beginning of my journey, and they all said the same - it is not an easy ride, and some days are harder than others, but you will come out the other end of this stronger. And now, here I am through the hardest part of the journey – the physical battle, but I am now one of those women who can say I made it to the end - and so can you with a little bit of help and support and lot of hope and positivity."
The 54-year-old hailed local charity Cancer Focus NI for their support and said their dedicated bra fit service was 'exceptional'.
"It was such a relief to discover Cancer Focus and avail of their excellent services, the bra fitting service was exceptional. I chose not to have a reconstruction of my left breast, so my appearance was completely alien to me and during my bra fitting I couldn’t have felt more relaxed. I was immediately put at ease by the Cancer Focus team and made to feel and confident and ‘normal’ for want of a better word.
"The bra fitting service plays a huge part in this journey for anyone going through this, when your normal changes, and your body looks different it is nice to have someone compassionate to help you feel a little more like yourself again, it’s a new normal and that’s ok too."
Cancer Focus NI are set to host a fun filled afternoon of fashion and beauty raising vital funds for breast cancer services and to support local women like Loretta.
On Trend is guaranteed to be an unmissable afternoon and the perfect opportunity to brush up on your beauty knowledge with unrivalled expertise from local hair guru Keris Weir and Charlotte Tilbury make-up artist Amy Savage giving us a sneak peek at current make-up trends. The event will be hosted by Radio presenter Rebecca McKinney and takes place on Sunday 11 th September between 2pm – 5pm and is the ideal way to spend a special evening out with friends and family who are fashion and beauty fanatics.
Joanne Smith, Community Fundraising Officer at Cancer Focus NI said “We are so excited to finally get back to hosting in-person events after the last 2 years and we can’t think of anything better than a day out with your favourite girls right in the heart of Belfast. It’s the perfect way to spend a few hours while also making a difference to the 1 in 10 women, just like Loretta, who are diagnosed with breast cancer in Northern Ireland every year.”
Tickets are £35 which includes canapes, fizz and an exclusive goody bag. Tickets are available at www.cancerfocusni.org/ontrend.
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