Meet Carrol
Carrol is a retired primary school teacher and Macmillan volunteer of 14 years. After a routine mammogram, she was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. Her story offers advice on advocating for yourself and others.
Being diagnosed and finding support from Macmillan
“I was diagnosed through a routine mammogram. I didn't know there was a lump there or anything. It came as a complete bolt out of the blue. After this was my first experience of personally being involved with a Macmillan trained nurse.
She was the first person that we sat with, who chatted with me. Then after a distressing biopsy, she was the one who dealt with it. She was the one who dealt with the tears and was there with the hot sweet tea and the chocolate biscuits to try and help with the shock of everything. She was the nicest person, she helped turn a horrible negative experience into a more positive experience.
The unfortunate thing is, I got transferred to my local hospital so I didn't see her again. But she was very much there if I need anything, and I did need her because things didn't go as planned. She explained the type of procedure I’d have and said things would move quickly, but they didn’t. I ended up having to phone her in Edinburgh and say, ‘I know you don't deal with me anymore, but can you help?’ and she did. I had to do that twice even though she wasn't technically my nurse.
She was still there for me after all of that and she really helped. So that was such a positive experience.”
'I am now a complete Macmillan Support Line convert.'
