Our beautiful Charlene
This is our beautiful Charlene. She is 38 years old and a mother to two wonderful children, Camden, 8 and Lester, 4.
In May 2019 Charlene found a small lump in her breast which was about the size of a pea. She went to the doctors to have it checked. After being examined she was told it was nothing to worry about, however should the lump change in anyway then she should go back.
In September 2019, Charlene noticed that the lump had grown in size, it was now about the size of a small grape. Charlene returned to the doctors and this time she was given an urgent referral to the breast clinic. An ultrasound scan was performed and also a biopsy was taken. It was very shortly after this that Charlene was about to receive the news that would tear her world apart. She had triple negative breast cancer, a very aggressive form. This was such a devastating time for Charlene and her family. At the young age of 36 it’s not something you ever imagine will happen to you. Charlene was offered a mastectomy to remove the lump and all of the tissue in her breast. She was also offered a reconstruction during the operation. Charlene had the surgery on 12th December 2019. Everything went well, the surgeon was happy and all Charlene had to do now was rest and get better. Charlene got better and life went back to normal. She was checked every three months and was given the all clear in October 2020. Finally some happiness.
Then, sadly, in January 2021 Charlene felt a lump in her neck. She was so scared. After another scan she received the devastating news that her cancer had returned. It was in six of her lymph nodes. Because it is such an aggressive form of breast cancer, it spreads quickly. Charlene’s only option was chemotherapy. She has to have four rounds of intensive chemotherapy and then she will have a break for a few weeks. She is currently on round three of the first four rounds. During the break she will be rescanned to see how well the chemotherapy is working so far. She will then start the next twelve rounds of chemotherapy. Unfortunately, after round two, Charlene began to lose her hair, so instead of waiting and letting in fall out, she bravely let her children help her shave it off. They were all so very courageous and together they climbed the first hurdle. All being well, hopefully she will be finished her treatment and on the road to recovery around June 2021.
This has been a heartbreaking time for Charlene and her family. She is such a kind and thoughtful person and she really does not deserve to being going through this. She is the life and soul of the party, always the first one on the dance floor! She is always there to offer help to anyone in need. She is just a beautiful person inside and out. I would love if we could raise the money for Charlene and her family to go on holiday to make some memories and have a well deserved break, once her treatment is over.
Please donate if you are able to and keep Charlene in your prayers.
Thank you x