Lily's Breast Cancer Story

Lily’s Breast Cancer Story

Say hello to wonderful Lily who received her Little Lifts Chemotherapy Box via our partnership with West Suffolk Hospital.

Lily’s breast cancer diagnosis and treatment

In February 2023 Lily felt a lump in her left breast and was diagnosed with a fibroadenoma. After noticing changes in its size and having an operation to remove the lump, a year later, she was told she had breast cancer.

Diagnosis and treatment plan:

Left Grade 3 triple negative breast cancer (Her2 2+, FISH negative). Plus axillary & internal mammary lymph nodes. No distant metastasis. BRCA2 mutation gene (waiting to see a genetics specialist).

Treatment plan:

First 12 weeks – 4 Cycles. Every week, Paclitaxel. Every 3 weeks, Carboplatin & Pembrolizumab (Immunotherapy) starting on week 1.
Monthly Zoladex injection to try protect my ovaries.
After each Chemo, Filgrastim injections to boost immune system & to reduce the risk of infection.
MRI Scan – checking on how everything is doing after the first 4 Cycles of Chemo.
Second 12 weeks – 4 Cycles. Every 3 weeks Epirubicin & Cyclophosphamide (EC), along with more Pembrolizumab (Immunotherapy)
Surgery for double mastectomy, nipple removal & lymph node clearance. Reconstruction with expanders to start off (due to radiotherapy).
After surgery, more Pembrolizumab (Immunotherapy) every 3 weeks for 5 cycles. Or a different treatment due to my BRCA 2 gene. (This will be decided after the result of my surgery to see if the cancer has all gone)
Radiotherapy
Year after first surgery, second surgery for implants to replace the expanders.
Nipple tattoos

Details of lump: March 2023 – 9x8x9mm, June 2023 – 19x14x15mm, September 2023 – 27x20x18mm, January 2024 – 37x23x36mm, March 2024 when removed it weighed 53g

After receiving her breast cancer gift Box Lily said:

‘It was so uplifting when I got home opening a box full of goodies to help me while going through chemo treatment. Coming away from my first Oncology appointment, I was so scared about the treatment plan ahead, so it was a lovely little positive that made me smile. I’m loving the ice lolly recipes, as they soothe my mouth. The Biona pom hearts were amazing. The wheat bag has been so helpful with stomach aches. The Moogoo cream is great, I’ve brought more Moogoo products since as liked it so much. The sleep better spray has helped lots to relax me at night.’

More about Lily:

She owns a house with her partner Niall, living with their lovely dog Ragnar. She says ‘I have the best family & friends who really are massively helping me through this. So grateful to have them.’

Lily had been working in the hair industry since she was 14 years old, being promoted to salon manager last year. She loves it but has unfortunately been unable to work throughout her treatment and looks forward to being back.

Her favourite thing to do is travel, she loves seeing the world and different cultures… she cannot wait to see more places! She also enjoys running and going to the gym with Niall. She has completed two half marathons for charity and hopes to do another one next year!

‘After thinking long and hard I set up an Instagram account for people to follow my cancer journey. Also to try to help other people going through what I am, to not feel alone, to share my tips on what has helped me along the way and to provide awareness.’

Follow her at @lilys_cancer_journey_

Lily’s Top Tips for breast cancer:

Never put to much pressure on your self, every cancer patients journey is different. Be patient with yourself and do what you feel comfortable with, we’re all different.
Try to get out walking as much as possible with family and friends. This really helps to clear your mind. Fresh air really does help. Walking helps your body massively while going through chemo treatment.
Stay as positive as possible. I always like to think out of a negative situation there is always a positive. A positive mind really does help the body.

Thank you so much for sharing your story and experience with others, helping to spread support and kindness. Your kind words about your your Little Lifts Box mean so much to us!

We appreciate you helping us to spread the Little Lifts love.