Sophie's story

Sophie, a radiographer from Cheshire discovered a small lump in her breast while pregnant with her daughter. She never imagined it would lead to a diagnosis of incurable breast cancer.

"The midwife explained that breasts change a lot during pregnancy and thought it was probably a blocked duct or a cyst. It was very small and smooth, so I wasn't too worried."

After her daughter Natalie was born in July 2023, the lump remained. During a routine postpartum check-up, Sophie mentioned it to her GP.

"She examined me and said wasn't particularly concerned, but she referred me to the breast clinic."

A few days later, Sophie returned to receive the results.

"The consultant told me I had cancer. I'll be honest, it floored me. You go through all the emotions you'd expect - sadness, disbelief, and fear. But the overwhelming emotion for me was guilt. I felt like I should have known my own body better. Looking back, I realise that wasn't fair on myself, but at the time I couldn't stop thinking about it."

Further investigations brought more devastating news. The cancer had already spread to Sophie's spine and liver. Natalie was only four months old when doctors asked Sophie whether she had completed her family.

"I'd always imagined giving Natalie a brother or sister one day. It was heartbreaking to be having those conversations when she'd only just been born. I'd only been married for 18 months. I know you make your vows, but I remember thinking, 'This isn't what my husband signed up for.'

"My daughter was only four months old. I kept thinking she didn't deserve to grow up without a mum."

Sophie's husband became her greatest source of support.

"In those first couple of weeks, one of us would be crying and then the other would be crying. At first, we tried to protect each other and hide it, but eventually we realised it was better to be honest and talk about what we were feeling. I felt guilty about everything. I couldn’t have any more children, I could die early, and holidays just got a lot more expensive! I told him he could leave and start again if he wanted to. He just looked at me and said he wasn't going anywhere."

Sophie now has ongoing medication and regular scans to monitor the disease.

"I know there will come a day when they'll need to move me on to something else. That's just the reality of living with incurable cancer. I am incredibly lucky to be alive at a time when there are an increasing number of treatments and therapies to try."

Throughout her experience, Macmillan nurse Gill has been a constant source of support.

"Gill was there from the very beginning, when we received the worst news."

Whether helping Sophie access counselling, hypnotherapy and complementary therapies, discussing work, travel insurance, intimacy, fertility concerns or future conversations with Natalie, Gill has always been there to help.

"I'm yet to ask a question that Macmillan haven't been able to answer. Macmillan has helped with all the practical day-to-day things that people don't always think about. They've helped me live with cancer, not just treat it."

Sophie also received incredible support from her mum, Sheila.

“I know if my mum was able to take my cancer out of my body and put it into hers, she would do it without a second thought. She has been incredibly supportive through every aspect of my journey so far, and while it is completely out of her control, I know she feels guilty that it’s me and not her going through it. She has seen through me how Macmillan are able to consistently help those affected by cancer, so it was an easy decision for her to try and do her bit where she could to giveback.

“Unfortunately, two of her best friends have also recently been diagnosed with cancer, though thankfully not as advanced as mine. They too have spoken at length about how Macmillan is able to successfully help with the practical aspects of getting on with life while having cancer, as well as providing emotional support. I'm so proud of how hard my mum's worked to raise much needed funds for Macmillan, and hopefully she can encourage others to do the same.”