Here at Meithrinfa Joio Day Nursery, this cause is especially close to our hearts. One of our lovely Joio mums, Kellyanne, has been through an incredibly difficult breast cancer journey, and we are proud to raise money and awareness for this important cause.

Kellyanne’s story, “Kicking Cancer’s Butt for My Son, Jack Crawford,” is a deeply personal account of her journey through diagnosis, surgery, radiotherapy and life after treatment, with her son Jack at the heart of everything she does.

We invite you to take a moment to read Kellyanne’s story and understand why raising awareness and supporting those affected by breast cancer matters so much.

Every donation, no matter how small, is greatly appreciated and will help us support this important cause.

Thank you for your kindness, generosity and support. Together, let’s make a difference.

In the Radiotherapy Waiting Room

*by Kellyanne *

In the stillness of this crowded space,

Time stands still, a hushed embrace.

Faces lined with stories, brave and true,

Each one here, with battles to pursue.

The ticking clock, a constant reminder,

Of hope and fear, intertwining, kinder.

We share glances, both nervous and bold,

In our unspoken bond, more valuable than gold.

Magazines lie untouched, pages yellowed and worn,

As we find comfort in those who’ve fought, and those who’ve sworn.

The hum of machines whispers all around,

A symphony of healing, where strength is found.

Some sit with hands clasped, eyes cast down,

Others lift their heads and wear courage like a crown.

Together we wait, in this sacred place,

Finding solace in smiles and a warm, shared space.

Through the tension and silence, a quiet connection blooms,

In the face of uncertainty, we dispel the glooms.

For here we are warriors, each story profound,

In the radiotherapy waiting room, our spirits are bound.

KICKING CANCER'S BUTT

Where do I begin? I will start by saying October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but I believe every day of every month is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. August 2025 is where my journey began, honestly I believe it started a long time before that.

I may not have found my lump until August 2025, but I know I was unwell before I even knew about the lump. Deep down, we all know our own bodies, like everyone else I kept putting things off, putting what I was feeling down to personal family issues and stress, even though I did not feel stressed. I kept saying I would go to the GP when Jack went back to school after the school holidays. Then the summer of 2025 came, and I still had not gone. I noticed a number of changes in myself between February 2025 and when I found the lump in my right breast halfway through August of last year.—Changes which I thought were due to going through early menopause, having PCOS, and a hormonal imbalance, I just carried on as normal. It was not until Jack, my son, was in holiday club with Joio or Pops that I thought I would go home and have a nice soak in the bath. What I did not realize was that day was going to change my life. I had fallen in the bath, where I just lay there and thought, "What the hell?" While I was there in pain because of the fall, I decided to check my breast, like I did and still do on a regular basis, only to find a lump in my right one. I am not going to lie; there were a few chosen words that I said that I will not repeat. In that moment, I closed my eyes and just went into fight-or-flight mode. I did not say anything to anyone until September 14th , not because I was afraid of what people would say, but because I kept it to myself for personal reasons. A couple of days after I told my mam, I made an appointment with My GP, whom I saw the Wednesday after I told her, made an emergency referral. A few days later, I had a call from the breast cancer clinic to say they had an appointment for me at Neath and Port Talbot Hospital in September of last year. Even though I was relieved that I had an appointment, all I could think about was my son, Jack. I was okay with whatever the outcome of this appointment was going to be, but what I was not okay with was my son, who was only six years old at the time and had his own health conditions. No child deserves to see their parent go through something like this. But even though my son has ALN, challenging behavioural problems, and is nonverbal, this little boy took every step of my breast cancer journey with me on the chin. I was fighting this for him. September 23rd last year was the day I had a full MOT—when I say MOT, I mean a mammogram, and doctors and nurses examined me. After that, I was told I needed an ultrasound and a biopsy. Throughout this appointment, all I talked about was Jack. I said if it was cancer, I needed everything to fit around him. Sticking to a routine for Jack was so important to me during this battle. After my consultant informed me it was breast cancer and that they would send my biopsy off for testing to find out what form of breast cancer it was, my life stood still for a few minutes; I am not going to repeat what was going through my mind at the time, but I knew I needed to get home to be with my son, whom my mum was looking after for me. Finding out you have cancer is hard, but for me, what came next was the hard part: phoning friends and family to tell them while watching my beautiful son sleeping on the sofa. I had a fair few cans of Budweiser to get me through those calls. Two weeks later, at my results appointment last October, I was told it was hormonal breast cancer. And this is where we discussed my treatment plan. I really could not have asked for a better consultant; he had Jack in mind at every appointment. My surgery was planned for the 6th November last year, and while I had four and a half weeks to wait for my surgery, I was so pleased that we had a date. The next four and a half weeks were a mix of feelings, and this is where I found it so hard to accept help from people. But thanks to Action for Children staff, Jojo Day Nursery staff, my son's school, and close friends and family, I had the best support network around me and Jack during this difficult time. However, I knew that no matter what lay ahead, I was fighting this head-on. Jump to Halloween weekend last year, which is one of my favourite holidays, but sadly, I spent that whole weekend in bed, or if I wasn't in bed, I was in the bathtub. Luckily, Jack was with his dad. I think I spent more time in the bath that weekend last year than I did in bed. The pain I was in during those last few days before surgery was unbelievable. Thursday, 6th November last year, was surgery day. Thanks to my dear friend Tracey, who’s husband took me to the appointment and picked me back up after, I could not be more grateful. Where do I even begin to talk about surgery? Sadly, I had already lost my appetite over Halloween weekend. I was really looking forward to eating hospital food at Neath and Port Talbot Hospital because I had heard it was pretty damn good, but even after surgery, I still did not eat. I probably did not eat properly for about a month or so; I did enjoy one meal on the Friday evening, the day after surgery, at Jack's dad's house. I never thought I would lose my appetite like that, but when fighting something like cancer, you never know what you are going to be like. My consultant informed me that I would have an appointment in November to discuss the results of my surgery. While waiting for that appointment, Action for Children opened an emergency referral to social services to see if I could receive extra help while I was recovering. A lady named Hayley and a man from social services came out to interview me to see what help I could have. Being the main driver, as Jack's dad and my mum do not drive, I knew I would be out of action for a while, but I still wanted my son Jack to carry on with all his after-school activities. Sadly a few days after that interview, then refused to help me, and I was told by Hayley, the social worker, that I am an amazing mum to Jack. I just thought, "cheers for that." I felt like social services failed me and my son. Then refused to help me a few years back and I was okay with that, but at a time last year when I needed help the most with Jack, I was told there was nothing they could do for me, all I wanted was someone to help Jack with his after-school activities. Action for Children staff would pick up Jack on Tuesdays and take him back and forth to Pops for me until all the children broke up for Christmas. Action for Children will never know how grateful I am for what they did for me and Jack, not just during the hardest time of my life last year, but even before that. At an appointment on November 27th, it was results day. The day they said they were happy with the outcome of the surgery but needed to send everything over to California. Yes, you are going to think what I thought: why California? Here comes the part I didn't tell anyone about. My mum was in the consultant's room with me with a puzzled look on her face; out came the words to find out if I would need chemotherapy before radiotherapy. Yes, I always knew I would have radiotherapy, but there was always a question mark on chemotherapy. I guess I needed time to get my head around it all, especially when I knew I was going to be on breast cancer medication for the next 10 years of my life, chemotherapy was a whole different thing. I just wanted time before I told anyone if I did need chemotherapy. I needed time to get a game plan together because I have my son Jack watching my every step. That little boy loves playing with my hair, and that is something I knew would break me. When the consultant explained the reason behind sending everything to be tested in California, it was due to my age and going through early menopause—something else that is not talked about as much as it should be. It was to find out if chemotherapy would be beneficial to me he explained how to do the test, which I found very interesting. Like most things that involve someone's health, I will always be interested in the ins and outs of it all. My mam and I left that appointment, and while waiting for a taxi, she asked why I didn't say could there be a chance of chemotherapy. My reply was simple: I needed time to get my head around it for Jack before I told anyone. The next six weeks were an absolute nightmare. The waiting is always the hardest part for me throughout this. Whatever was said at each appointment, I was okay with it; it was just the waiting. I genuinely thought I would have some news before Christmas, but I didn't. My heart just broke a little bit more each day, not because of me, but because all I could think of was my son. Even though the waiting was the hard part, I was still adamant to host the best Christmas. Normally Jack's dad hosts Christmas at his house, but for Christmas 2024, I said I would host, not knowing what 2025 had in store for me. I shouldn't laugh, but my humour is one thing that got me through all this. That cancer didn't take away from me. If anything, I think I got funnier because of it. My mam asked me just before Christmas, "Are you sure you're going to be okay to do Christmas?" I said yes absolutely, I'm doing this for Jack. Last Christmas was probably one of my favourite Christmases of all time. My mam and I made the best Christmas dinner, even if I do say so myself, especially making dinner on a two-ring hob and two double air fryers. I spent months mastering the roast potatoes ready for Christmas Day so they were just like my mam's when I was a kid. As much as I love Christmas Day, my favourite part about Christmas is Christmas Eve because it's my son's birthday. Every year I have always had Santa come to see Jack; when Santa came last year for his birthday, last Christmas Eve Jack’s birthday will always be one of my favourite memories. Jack has always known that Santa comes to see him for his birthday, but last year he really understood who the big man in red was. Seeing that was the reason why I was fighting breast cancer: my little boy. Christmas and New Year had come and gone and Jack returned to school in January 2026. I still had no news. It was Thursday 8th January 2026, when I received that phone call. The call came while I was sorting out my new charm; my new charm was to hold some of my stepfather’s ashes. I looked down at my phone thinking all sorts, though I will not repeat what I was really thinking. I will always remember that phone call. It will stick with me forever. There was a lot of crying and a lot of laughter—crying happy tears. I am so happy that my consultant said I did not need chemotherapy, but I would still need to be put on breast cancer medication for 10 years and have radiotherapy. My breast cancer nurse came on the phone and talked through what would happen. She said that radiotherapy would start in four weeks. My heart stopped and, being me, I said, "In four weeks' time, I am off to see Robbie Williams in February." Yes, I know I shouldn't have been thinking about going to see him, but I thought I had waited this long and was sure I could wait until I got back from seeing Robbie Williams. My consultant and breast cancer nurse said, "Go enjoy Robbie, and we will sort out dates when you are back." I am not going to lie, it was a bit touch and go about seeing Robbie Williams. When I say touch and go, I had been on breast cancer medication for a few weeks by that point, and the side effects definitely kicked in the night before traveling up to Brixton with my mam. She said, "Kel, we don't have to go tomorrow," and I looked at her and said, "I don't think so; we will be in Brixton tomorrow , at some point tomorrow we will be at the Robbie Williams show, don't worry about that." I am not going to lie, at one point I did think I was going to give up and not go, as I spent all of Friday night in my bathroom being so ill. The last time I was this ill was before I had my appendix out in December 2015 . Believe me, I never thought I would be that ill again, but my medication kicked my backside back in February. I wasn't giving up without a fight; I was going to be at that show on the Sunday evening. No one really goes into great detail about the side effects of my breast cancer medication, just the GP saying there are some side effects. There have been so many side effects to taking this medication that people don't see. I may look okay from the outside, and I know what people think and have said—"Well, at least it keeps you alive." Yes, I know what it is doing, but I also know what I am going through; the pain I am in every day is real. Joint pain from taking the medication, the tiredness—God, I am always tired—and the bit of strength I do have, I try to use by doing things with my son before I am too tired again. I wasn't letting those side effects stop me from getting to see Robbie Williams; me and my mam had a damn good night. Anyone that knows me knows I love Robbie Williams so much. A couple of days before I went to see him, I was invited to a show and tell at the radiotherapy department; I know what you are going to say, a show and tell? I was thinking why would I need a show and tell. When I got to the show and tell evening back in February, I was glad I went as I was not the only one there, but as I looked around the room, I could see I was probably one of the youngest, if not the youngest. It made me think cancer waits for no one and does not care who it gets. My heart felt sad; it made me think of when I lost my stepdad to cancer in January 2020. Call me crazy, but I believe my stepdad has been watching over me through every step of this journey, especially when I had my breast cancer surgery. He was definitely there in spirit, probably downstairs in the cafe drinking cups of tea and eating as much food as he could, bless his soul. During the show and tell evening, I asked the main person in the radiotherapy department if we could wait for me to finish the February half term with my son, as I think he has missed out on enough. When I say he has missed out, I meant that I was supposed to take Jack to London to do the Paddington Bear bus tour last November, but sadly I had to put it on hold and cancel it, which absolutely broke my heart. I knew I had to do it, though; I have never cancelled doing anything for Jack before, but I just did not know when the surgery was going to be.

Radiotherapy treatment is something no one really warns you about. My first day of radiotherapy was February 26th, day one of ten rounds. My mum came to most of my appointments. Radiotherapy treatment is something I will never forget, something that will live with me for the rest of my life, and something that probably changed me in ways I did not see coming if honest. Radiotherapy treatment was hard. Yes, I’m grateful I didn't need chemotherapy but Radiotherapy hit me like a double decker bus. Don't get me wrong my radiotherapy team the staff were amazing, one of the young lads even had same name as my son, Jack Crawford. When I told him he's got same name as my son. He told me the reason why he was called Jack after the man in the movie Silence of the Lambs. I just smiled and said my Jack was named after my friends' son. I know Jack was only trying to take my mind off radiotherapy. By time it got to my 3rd round my right breast was so sore and 4th round was done. I broke down and cried to my mam my right breast felt double the size as my other breast. I just thought how the hell am I going to get through the next 6 rounds of radiotherapy I’ll never know. Radiotherapy treatment broke me in a way I probably can't even explain that stuff does things to you. I know it helps treat cancer, but I didn't feel like the same person after it. My whole body felt different by time I finished radiotherapy. I’m grateful to the staff. They were absolutely amazing, but I felt like I changed. For at least 4 months after radiotherapy finished, I felt lost I felt like part of me was still sitting in the radiotherapy waiting room, just waiting to hear my name called out. I felt like part of me will always be in that waiting room even now I look back think about that staff, the people who I meet in the waiting room. During radiotherapy treatment. I wrote a poem called, In the radiotherapy waiting room. I haven't looked at that poem until now. I wrote two poems, one during treatment and one after. I think it was my way of dealing with it, i guess. I always tell people I hate putting pen to paper, last poem I wrote before all of this, was for my stepdad after he passed away. I’m not good at public speaking but that poem I wrote for my stepdad I read it out at his funeral. I’ve learnt since cancer that it's ok to write how you feel. Even if it doesn't make sense. I guess it makes sense to me. Last day of radiotherapy was hard I think I lost my mind by then. My son thought it was great idea to lock me and my mam out of the house. My poor neighbour had to boot my door in, that evening I fell apart I took it all out on my mam, I know looking back I shouldn’t have, I’m sorry for that mam. I don't know why I got so upset that evening as Jack has locked me out a couple times before in my old place. I don't think it was about being locked out if honest. I think I was tired and in so much pain I was just so fed up of my body not feeling like it was mine anymore.

Radiotherapy aftermath now that is something I didn't see coming, the part of what happens now. You get so used to seeing doctors and nurses and endless appointments. Then nothing from them to say see you in September for your yearly appointment. Sadly, my yearly mammogram appointment is not unill the 22nd of this month, then running late, which I’m ok with that. What I’m not ok about is me and other ladies I have met feel like we couldn't go back to speak to the breast cancer team, so I always went to my GP with any problems I had. I remember at one of my GP appointments they prescribed me Zomorph, because of how much pain I was in. Wow, that’s all I'm going to say, only took that once, never again, I felt high as a kite, I became so ill that night. Good thing my mam was with me to help look after Jack. Not long after radiotherapy finished. Good old school friend of mine gives me few home truths, she said Kel it's about time you do something for you and stop doing things for everyone else. You will always be Jack's mammy, but you need to be happy again, she then said because there is a difference between living and existing. That hit hard I actually broke down and cried. She was right I'll always be Jack's mammy. Jack will always be my number one and yes, I do need stop putting other people before me she was right. That was when I realised after almost 5 years of being single, I finally put myself back on the dating apps. That I was allowed to be happy again. I'm not saying I wasn't happy before cancer because I was. But if it wasn't for cancer I probably would never have put myself back out there. Believe me when I say, dating in your 40s is absolutely bat crazy. If you now you know. In June after a nightmare of a date, I was about to give up. That date was something I would never want anyone to go through. I didn't go on another date for just over 6 weeks. Which takes me to summer just gone. Some people may think I'm crazy, but 6 weeks summer holidays is my second favourite school holiday. Every school holiday I try to fit in as much as I possibly can with Jack. But this summer wasn't just about Jack. It wasn't just about me and Jack this summer was also about me. When Jack was offered playschool and extra days throughout August at Joio day nursery holiday club throughout August I wasn't going to say no. Honestly, I'm so grateful to staff at playschool and Joio day nursery specially Joio day nursery. It give me the time to put myself 1st for a change and it give me time to do bit of soul searching, give me time to find the new version of me. I still did things with Jack throughout the school summer holidays. But I had time to be me on days Jack was at holiday club. This summer just gone is probably one of best summers I’ve had as an adult. I met someone during the summer that made me forget everything I went through with the breast cancer. Don't get me wrong, I’m so grateful for all the help and support I had from everyone. My Mam, Jack's dad, Tracey my best friend, friends and family, Jack's school, Action for children, Specs, Joio day nursery. When I meet this person, he made me forget everything I had gone through. He has made me feel alive again in a way I didn't think I knew I needed. here comes the hard part telling Jack's dad that I have met someone. Even though me and Jack’s dad have split up over 5 years me and Tom will always be in each other's life because of Jack. I needed to let Tom know before he found out off someone else. I'm always grateful for everything Jack's dad has done for me and Jack. He was the last person I would want to hurt on my journey. But I didn't ask for this to happen to me but as I said cancer waits for no one, cancer as changed me in a way that none will understand. This chapter of my life is for me as I need to be the best version of myself not just for me but for my son. Cancer as shown me how strong I really am. I will never go down without a fight. But the man I met in the summer holidays as brought out the softer side to me over last 10 weeks the side I think I lost for a little while which I lost before even cancer come into my life. I'm not sure why I think lost that soft side to me maybe it was because how much I did for everyone else. Another thing I’ve learnt during last year or so is true meaning of friendship that's down to my best Tracey. Yes, we had few wobbles along the way but that girl has been there for me and picked up the phone every time, I’ve needed her not just because of the cancer but to let me rant on about all the shit dates I went on before I met, Paul let me rant on about life. For that Tracey thank you. You Really don't know how much our friendship means to me I know you say that I have made you laugh and cry throughout my breast cancer journey, but you have done same for me. To my dear friend Claire thank you and for being a part of my life I really do appreciate it. True what they say times of need you will find out who really has your back, I’ve got less than 2 weeks until my yearly mammogram appointment, whatever the outcome is of those results I know Ive got the best support network around me. I'm so grateful for absolutely everyone specially those closest to me for the love and support you all know who you are. But my biggest thank you goes to my mam. We may drive each other mad on times. But thank you for everything you have done for me and Jack. Love you mam. Everyone's cancer story is different; here is my story, and that chapter is called Kicking Cancer's Butt for My Son, Jack Crawford. Here is to the next chapter in my life, called What Will Be, Will Be,

by Kellyanne, 10.10.26.