‘Cancer made me braver’
Julie Brandram Jones, 62, is a part-time bookkeeper and lives with her husband Charlie, 63, in Herefordshire.
Sinking into a bubble bath, I mused about the twists and turns life could throw at you. It was August 2014 and I was staying with my parents, to help care for my elderly father after an operation.
Seconds later and still deep in thought, I suddenly felt a chicken-nugget-sized lump in my left breast.
I’d read somewhere that the majority of lumps are benign, so I wasn’t overly worried. And even when my GP referred me to the breast clinic, I was so convinced all would be well, I didn’t tell my husband.
Yet after a scan and biopsy, I was told that I had cancer. Shocked, I had to steady myself before driving home and telling Charlie.
That September, I began eight rounds of chemotherapy, with a single mastectomy planned for January 2015. Only, the more I thought about surgery, the more I realised that not only did I not want to feel lopsided, I also didn’t want to worry about another lump, or have a painful reconstruction.
‘I want you to remove both breasts,’ I told my consultant.
At first, he refused. It’s not policy to remove healthy tissue. But when I was still adamant after five months, he agreed.
It wasn’t until after my double mastectomy I found out I’d had stage 3 cancer. Soon after, I discovered Flat Friends – a charity for women living without breasts. Its support has been second to none.
At first, I wore prosthetics – I had a range of sizes, and even a pair of knitted breasts Charlie called my ‘blue tits’. But these days I’m more confident living flat.
ãã®èšäºã¯ WOMAN'S WEEKLY ã® October 12, 2021 çã«æ²èŒãããŠããŸãã
7 æ¥éã® Magzter GOLD ç¡æãã©ã€ã¢ã«ãéå§ããŠãäœåãã®å³éžããããã¬ãã¢ã ã¹ããŒãªãŒã8,500 以äžã®éèªãæ°èã«ã¢ã¯ã»ã¹ããŠãã ããã
ãã§ã«è³Œèªè ã§ã ?  ãµã€ã³ã€ã³
ãã®èšäºã¯ WOMAN'S WEEKLY ã® October 12, 2021 çã«æ²èŒãããŠããŸãã
7 æ¥éã® Magzter GOLD ç¡æãã©ã€ã¢ã«ãéå§ããŠãäœåãã®å³éžããããã¬ãã¢ã ã¹ããŒãªãŒã8,500 以äžã®éèªãæ°èã«ã¢ã¯ã»ã¹ããŠãã ããã
ãã§ã«è³Œèªè ã§ã? ãµã€ã³ã€ã³
7 things your GP WANTS YOU TO KNOW
Stay healthier for longer, whatever your age, with these expert insights
Podcasts TO PICK
Try our top suggestions for a spot of audio entertainment
Your wellbeing
LATEST HEALTH SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR MIND AND BODY
Simple bathroom UPDATES
Create a spa-like feel with these easy additions
Darling shrubs OF MAY
Floral fireworks for early summer
Pet perfect BREAKS
Treat yourself and your canine companion to a pampering escape
'Dyslexia is my SUPERPOWER!'
Matt Baker on his love for the countryside, health and life after The One Show
GARDEN notes
Vibrant annuals and fruit and veg
Springtime IN VENICE
A weekend in this floating city is a feast for the senses
Your wellbeing
LATEST HEALTH SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR MIND AND BODY