Natalie’s Story

Natalie, 43, lives in Maldon, Essex, and received treatment at Broomfield and Southend Hospitals.

She was diagnosed on 21st June 2021 and underwent seven rounds of chemotherapy, a single mastectomy and reconstruction, followed by 15 rounds of radiotherapy. She finished radiotherapy at the end of February 2022.

Natalie received radiotherapy at Southend Hospital, and at her third session was given her Little Lifts Box. She already knew of Little Lifts through social media, as she follows Little Lifts Ambassador Laura on Instagram. ‘It caused instant tears. It was something that has just been genuinely thought about.’

The diagnosis and treatment journey has been difficult for Natalie. She kept a journal where she recorded the side effects of her chemotherapy treatment, which included a metallic taste in her mouth, nausea, and fatigue. She told us that the best items in her Little Lifts Box were the moisturiser, hot chocolate, water bottle, and the tote bag to take everything to appointments in.

Natalie is now taking steroids, which are causing weight gain and impacting on her mental health. She’s receiving support for this from her medical teams, and continues to be fearful that the cancer may return. For this reason, she recommends being careful with your mental health if you’re also undergoing cancer treatment. Be choosy who you follow on social media – it can be quite overwhelming – and don’t google too much.