Breast Cancer Now: The New Me
Nickie Jowett tells us about making the most of every moment after a diagnosis of incurable secondary breast cancer.
On October 18, Nickie Jowett (59) will be dressed in pink from head to toe.
“The brighter the pink, the better,” Nickie, who will be one of thousands of people taking part in Breast Cancer Now’s wear it pink fundraising event, laughs.
“I was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer five years ago, so I know how important it is to raise funds for Breast Cancer Now’s world-class research and life-changing support,” she says. “And by wearing pink on October 18, I’ll also be raising awareness of breast cancer and its many possible symptoms.”
Gather your friends and “wear it pink”
Breast cancer symptoms
Breast lumps are usually the most common symptoms of early stage (primary) breast cancer.
However, there are a number of signs and symptoms of secondary breast cancer, which occurs when breast cancer cells spread from the breast to other parts of the body. So it’s important to get any new, unusual and persistent symptoms checked out.
Nickie was diagnosed after a year of suffering from terrible stomach cramps every couple of months.
Nickie’s story
“I went to A&E six times, where my agonising pain was blamed on various conditions, including a virus, an upset stomach and constipation,” she explains.
Finally, Nickie’s GP sent her for a colonoscopy but, when the equipment started playing up, the technician decided to check with the consultant that the images were clear enough.
“After studying these images the consultant looked at my medical records, spotted my regular visits to A&E and referred me for a full body scan,” Nickie explains.
“That’s when it was discovered that I had breast cancer. And it had already spread. I had secondary breast cancer.”
A few weeks later, Nickie, accompanied by her husband Martin, attended her first appointment with her oncologist, who gently broke the news that the cancer was incurable.
“I was devastated,” Nickie recalls. “Martin and I walked out of the hospital and into a very wet, windy, dark October evening.
“As we searched for change to pay for parking, it suddenly struck me that I was going home to tell our children, Jordan and Saskia, that I had incurable breast cancer. Our children are grown up but that didn’t make it any easier. For any of us.”
Although Nickie describes herself as a positive person, she briefly lost hope.
“I kept thinking ‘What’s the point?’” she admits. “What was the point of buying new clothes when I might not be around to wear them? What was the point of sowing seeds in the garden when I might not be here to watch them grow into plants?
But I soon learned to live with the new me. And, five years since my diagnosis, I’m still here – and I’m really well.
As part of her treatment for secondary breast cancer, Nickie receives ongoing chemotherapy.
“There have been side-effects,” she says. “Losing all my hair bothered me much more than I expected and I’ve also been left with peripheral neuropathy in my hands and feet which causes weakness, numbness and pain.
“But nothing’s stopped me making the most of every opportunity.
Nickie, Martin, Jordan and Saskia on their cruise
“Martin and I have always taken the view that there’s no point waiting to do anything as you never know what’s round the corner. As a result, we’ve been on several once-in-a-lifetime holidays since my diagnosis, including a trip to Florida with Saskia and our future son-in-law, a Caribbean cruise on the world’s biggest cruise ship with Saskia and Jordan and staying at the world-famous Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai.”
As part of her commitment to making the most of every moment, Nickie’s also taken up two new hobbies.
“I swim in the sea at least once a week, which always makes me feel better, physically and mentally,” she reveals. “And I’m also fulfilling a lifelong ambition by learning how to play the saxophone, which is extra-challenging with no feeling in my fingertips.
“It might seem an odd thing to say but life is good,” continues Nickie. “Obviously, I have my moments but I live in hope of more and more research breakthroughs being made to keep me going longer and longer.
“And, when I turn 60 next March, I’ll be celebrating with a Staying Alive Party in our local pub, where a pink Breast Cancer Now collection bucket will be in pride of place.
“Knowing Breast Cancer Now is there for me is invaluable. Whether I need to know what a treatment involves, what a phrase in a letter from my oncologist means or how other women have coped, I always find the answer on the Breast Cancer Now website.
My son, Jordan, raised £3,500 for Breast Cancer Now last year by running the London Marathon. Now it’s my turn to raise whatever I can – and help others spot breast cancer early – by joining in with wear it pink.
“It’s so important to support Breast Cancer Now on October 18 and wear it pink. Don’t just think about it. Sign up. One day of wearing pink will contribute towards Breast Cancer Now achieving its mission that, by 2050, every person diagnosed with breast cancer lives – and is supported to live well.”
For more information, visit breastcancernow.org/secondary-breast-cancer. Find Nickie – and her dog Bee – on Instagram @bee_c_and_a_bit_of_me.
Insta star, Bee
“The Power of Pink” fundraising event
It’s easy to get involved
Wear it pink is one of Breast Cancer Now’s biggest and brightest fundraising events and, since it began in 2001, has raised more than £41 million for breast cancer research and support, while also increasing awareness of breast cancer.
This year, wear it pink takes place on Friday, October 18, when people all over the UK will be raising money for Breast Cancer Now by wearing their favourite pink clothes, finest pink outfits or wackiest pink costumes, as well as holding fundraisers such as dress-up days, bake sales, netball tournaments, wild swims, knitting sessions and bra displays.
On Friday, October 18, wear pink, raise money and help fund Breast Cancer Now’s life-changing breast cancer research and support. Sign up today at wearitpink.org/signup.
