Boob Behaving Badly! - Leanne's Story

In September 2017 while travelling around Australia at 29 Leanne found a lump in her breast.

Being proactive she went straight to the GP, where she was told there was nothing to worry about and she was far too young for it to be Breast Cancer.

Without even a proper examination the GP sent her on her way. With zero education about GP’s and zero family history of Breast Cancer, Leanne believed at this time that the GP must be correct.

Only to return home in 2018 and receive the devastating news that it was actually breast cancer just after her 30th Birthday. This news was heartbreaking for both Leanne, her family and friends. Though as no surprise to those around her, Leanne faced this hurdle with a brave & positive attitude, and got on with life.

Come July 2019 following radiotherapy and an operation to remove the tumour, we would all celebrate as she rang the bell and looked to close the chapter on what had been a really difficult year.

However come 2020 our worlds would once again be turned upside down. In the midst of the pandemic, Leanne was suffering with excruciating back pain, however as the NHS began to navigate the beginning of covid her calls to be heard were proving difficult.

The pain became so unbearable that daily tasks such as having a shower or even getting out of bed became impossible.

It took from March until May for her to been seen for a scan as the NHS repeatedly told her it was just a pulled muscle.

Eventually she got through to a GP after 2 doctors incorrectly diagnosed Leanne with a pulled muscle over the phone, on the 3rd attempt one understood her history and demanded her to go straight to A&E and he would call ahead and book a scan.

Unfortunately by this time the results would give her the earth shattering news that the cancer had returned and it is now stage 4. The tumours were now in her spine, pelvis, femur & skull bone. This time round an operation wasn’t possible. Radiotherapy and daily medication was the only option to try slow down the cancer from spreading.

Leanne had always dreamed of being a mother and as the Breast Cancer was Oestrogen positive the most aggressive form of attack would be to permanently shut down her ovaries and place her in menopause state never to have biological children of her own.

Leanne faced these earth shattering appointments completely alone due to Covid.

Unfortunately in the summer of 2022 we received further bad news that the cancer had spread and 3 small tumours had been found in her liver.

Leanne wasn’t offered any form of treatment for the liver apart from a new course of Chemotherapy tablets.

Despite everything, Leanne continued to live her life and has never let the Cancer come first.

Throughout every hurdle she remained positive and incredibly hopeful. However this hurdle wasn’t the last we were going to face.

As she began to suffer with more pain, difficulty walking and now a build up of fluid, these symptoms led to an emergency Spine MRI and CT scan.

These came back with the results we were never going to be prepared for. The cancer is progressing and there is nothing more the NHS are able to offer in fear of tipping the liver over the edge.

Leanne has always said Quality over Quantity.

Cancer hasn't won. Leanne has already survived the odds which many ladies in the community haven’t and is beyond grateful for the last 6 years…. And still isn't defeated!

We are currently seeking a second opinion at a specialist cancer hospital and looking into more alternative treatments which aren't funded on the NHS, such as holistic treatments, oxygen chambers, MLD, etc. and this is why we need your help!

It’s also time to make memories!

For the last 6 years, Leanne has continued to work full time whilst also trying to focus on living her best life, which takes more energy than we can imagine. During this time she has self funded all alternative treatment and strongly believes these treatments have got her to where she is today. Our dreams now are to be able to relieve Leanne of some of the financial burden and make some fantastic memories with her!

Leanne is our much loved best friend, she is a wonderful daughter, sister and aunty to her besties kids. So, any help you can provide would mean the world to us.

“You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore….. Before you decide to be happy”

Jane Marczewski - Fellow Breast Cancer patient. Leanne has really resonated with this quote and it couldn’t be more Leanne xx