I GOT CANCER for Christmas

It’s the most wonderful time, but for Josie Jeffries, last December brought nothing but fear

- DONNA SMILEY

Sitting around the Christmas tree, my husband and I were all smiles as we watched our two young children opening their presents. It was the perfect festive scene – the Christmas tree lights twinkling behind us and Christmas songs playing on the radio. But behind my smile I was full of anxiety and when my youngest tore the wrapping paper off the bike we’d bought him, I couldn’t help but wonder if I’d live long enough to watch him ride it without stabilisers. That Christmas in 2020 was one I’ll never forget. It was the year cancer decided to make an appearance.

As a super-fit and healthy 41-year-old, getting cancer was never part of my plan. I worked as a senior teacher in the specialist service for SEN, and my free time was always spent with my husband Nick, 40, and our kids Jack, nine, and Harrison, six.

Getting cancer was something I thought I’d never have to take on, but in September 2020, I’d found blood coming from my left breast. After a mammogram and a full examination, the doctor couldn’t find any lumps, and I was told I could either self-monitor for changes or have my milk ducts removed for a biopsy. I couldn’t put my mind at rest without knowing for certain, so I decided to go ahead with the biopsy. Two weeks after the procedure, Nick and I went to get the results. Walking into the consultant’s office, I could tell it was bad news. He confirmed I had breast cancer, but that the ductal carcinoma was in situ (DCIS), which meant the cancer was contained.

Devastating discovery

By then I’d found another lump in the lymph node in an armpit and when I mentioned it to the consultant I was referred for an MRI scan. A fine needle biopsy confirmed the cancer had spread.