Louise's Breast Cancer Story

Louise’s Breast Cancer Story

Say hello to lovely Louise, who received a Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy and Surgery Little Lifts Gift Box during her breast cancer treatment through our hospital partner.

Louise’s breast cancer diagnosis and treatment

Louise was diagnosed with hormone-negative, HER2-positive breast cancer with lymph node involvement at the end of November 2023. Her complete diagnosis took over a month after appointments, scans and tests. Louise began chemotherapy treatment four days after Christmas. “I remember feeling brave when I walked into the treatment room, but completely crumbled when the nurse asked how I was.”

Louise had three sessions of EC, then four sessions of Docetaxel with Phesgo injections. Louise had an allergic reaction to Docetaxel so her treatment switched to Abraxane. In June, she had her single mastectomy with expander reconstruction. Then, in September, she began radiotherapy and restarted her remaining 15 Phesgo injections every three weeks. Her last one was the day before modelling in our Fashion Show, which was very emotional. Louise has her final reconstruction surgery left.

What Louise said about her gift Boxes:

“I received my first Little Lifts Box in December 2023 at my oncology consent meeting. I then received my Surgery Box June 2024 and my Radiotherapy Box September 2024.

The first Little Lifts Box was so unexpected and turned my day around. I went for my oncology consent meeting and had to sit through all the horrendous side effects of chemotherapy, and then ‘sign my life away’. I cried as I signed the form, and then my oncologist said she had something for me. That’s when she explained about Little Lifts and gave me my Box. It made me feel so happy and special! When I got home, I was amazed at how thought out everything inside was. It really was the ‘little lift’ I needed… everything in there has been specifically put in there to help with side effects or to boost mood. I was so impressed with the quality of products and that they are natural.”

More about Louise:

“I love the small things, meeting up with friends, coffee in the sunshine, reading a book in bed. I thrive from social interactions, but I am also a bit of a hermit and enjoy being at home. I’ve got two small children and I love being their mum. They are definitely the most important thing in my life!”

Louise’s Top Tips for breast cancer:

Everyone’s diagnosis, treatment plan and coping methods will be different. Try not to compare yourself to anyone else. It’s okay if you are being super resilient and stoic, but equally it’s okay if you feel like you are struggling to cope.
Use social media as a resource, I ended up finding some women that were going through treatment and surgery at the same time as me and their support was invaluable.
Try to do a little something nice every day, to remember who you are and what you love. A small walk, a coffee out, chatting with a friend etc

Louise and Little Lifts:

We were so happy to welcome Louise as one of our 18 models in our 2025 Fashion Show. Here’s why she got involved:

“Being diagnosed with breast cancer at 34 with two young children is not something I thought would ever happen to me. Thanks to my incredibly supportive family, friends and the amazing charities that have supported me, I’ve got through this difficult time and am cancer free and nearly at the end of my treatment.

I want to model for Little Lifts because their Boxes made me smile on the darkest days. I want to be able to support fundraising activities and raise awareness for the charity. I am also very excited to meet some amazing like-minded people and to do something empowering after so much has been taken away from me.”

After the show, she got in touch as well as her loved ones to say how much of an incredible and emotional experience it was.

We love bringing our community together to champion inspiring people like Louise, who have been affected by breast cancer.

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

We appreciate you helping us to spread the Little Lifts love to people affected by breast cancer. If you would like to share your story, please email us at social@littlelifts.org.uk.