For Judy Gotham, the news came just after Christmas 2022, when a small lump was found in her left breast. On 7th February 2023 she was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer, grade 3.
Her treatment began with a lumpectomy, followed by four cycles of chemotherapy. Just ten days after her first cycle, Judy was hospitalised with neutropenic sepsis, spending five days as an inpatient. During this period she was also put forward for genetic testing, which revealed she carried the BRCA2 gene.
In August 2023, Judy underwent a double mastectomy with reconstruction. She was finally cancer free.
Then, in November 2024, just before her 40th birthday, a new and larger lump appeared on her implant. She had it checked because it felt unusual and it turned out to be a recurrence, despite having been told there was less than a five per cent chance of the cancer returning after her double mastectomy.
"I thought, 'here we go again,'" Judy said. "I actually found it easier as I knew what to expect and knew what the time frames were like, as the 'waiting part' can be very hard."
This time, treatment meant another lumpectomy, sixteen cycles of chemotherapy and a course of radiotherapy, which finished in August last year.
Throughout both rounds of treatment, Judy has tried to stay as positive as she can. Documenting her journey on Instagram has helped her cope with hospitals, hair loss, infections and confronting fears she has carried since long before her diagnosis.
"Before breast cancer I had a phobia of hospitals, needles and sickness," she explained. "Although it's not gone, I've had to put up with all of these and try to suppress my fears."
Losing her hair, even with the use of a cold cap, was devastating for her. But she says the hardest part of the whole experience was watching her children see her go through chemotherapy twice particularly the first time, when she became seriously unwell with neutropenic sepsis, and the second, when she was hospitalised again with dehydration.
Through it all, Judy has leaned on the support of breast cancer charities, something she says made an enormous difference on her darker days.
"I'd like someone to know what I didn't know at the start that there are a lot of charities out there which help support you," she said. "I have found these charities really helped to give me a lift through my down days, for me and my family, including special days out and little treats sent through the post. Sometimes these little things that charities do make all the difference. I found all of these myself, and now I spread the word."
Judy has documented her journey on Instagram since February 2023, and now volunteers for Breast Cancer Now, helping to support its Moving Forward courses. She also volunteers with Shine Cancer Support, a charity for people in their 20s, 30s and 40s living with any type of cancer, after often feeling like one of the youngest people in the oncology department during her own chemotherapy. Shine's group meets monthly, with the charity covering the cost of members' first drink.
Her advice to others is simple.
"Live your best life, as that's what I do," she said. "I look at life differently and I do what makes me and my children happy. Going through cancer definitely makes you appreciate the little things."
Photographs © Wayne Perry / Plymouth Post