Niki's Story: "You Know Your Body Better Than Anyone, Listen To It"
Meet Niki
Niki, an inspiring woman, a mother, a partner, and a Helen Rollason Cancer Charity client. Niki wants to make a difference; she wants to share her story, empower women to stand their ground, feel confident, and not be dismissed.
Listening to Her Body
During 2020, the year of the pandemic, after self-examination Niki found a lump. She was promptly sent to the cancer unit. Fortunately, it was found to be a cyst. Niki was able to relax in the comfort that she had done the right thing in being checked and given the all clear.
Niki continued to be extremely careful and vigilant, regularly putting time into checking her body for any symptoms or signs.
In 2022, again, she found lumps in her breast. She was sent to the cancer unit for a scan for a second time; these too were cysts and she was told that it was all linked to her menstrual cycle.
The Third Visit Changed Everything
Nine months later, in 2023, her journey with cancer began.
Again, Niki found a lump. Feeling awkward, nervous and as if she was wasting the doctors’ time, Niki went to her local GP surgery and, through this visit, she received her referral.
This was the third time within three years that Niki had been to the cancer unit. She felt comfortable enough to go alone, unaware of what she was about to find out and how she was going to be made to feel.
The consultant made her aware that he would not be allowing for a second mammogram to be done within one year. Following this initial uncomfortable meeting came the scan, after which a very different feeling flooded into the room. The atmosphere had shifted; this wasn’t like the first two times.
Niki was then sent for a biopsy and a mammogram. Left feeling anxious, all she could do was go back to her car. She was alone.
Niki describes the wait for the results as traumatic and an out-of-body experience; it is something that cannot escape your mind, even for a minute.
Then it happened.
She heard the news nobody wants to hear – it’s cancer.
A Diagnosis with Further Challenges
Once on the path, Niki cannot sing her praises of the NHS loud enough.
Unfortunately, her biopsy could not provide clear answers. The clinical team were still unsure as to what type of cancer it was and needed to seek a second opinion.
A plan was put into place promptly. Niki was to have a lumpectomy, followed by six months of chemotherapy, after which she would undergo radiotherapy.
However, the answers from her biopsy were frightening. The cancer was triple negative, which was the worst outcome for Niki.
Genetic testing then confirmed a mutation in the ATM gene. All plans had to be changed. She now needed to undergo a double mastectomy without radiotherapy; this was to prevent further breast cancer, as a future diagnosis would have been extremely likely.
Reconstruction and Recovery
At the beginning of 2024, Niki’s reconstruction took place.
The surgery went well; however, she sadly contracted an infection which the medical team described as borderline sepsis.
What was already an incredibly scary time was turning into Niki’s worst nightmare, with obstacle after obstacle. Niki had to focus on all her mental strength to get through this worrisome time.
Cancer patients tend to feel as if they have lost who they are during this time, bewildered and overcome. They are on a journey no one wishes to face; fast-paced, full of language they may not understand, and full of confusion around making decisions that need to be made frightfully quickly.
A Mother’s Concern
Despite all Niki was going through, like all parents, her focus was on her daughter.
What do the implications of her diagnosis mean for her?
For herself there was no family history available, as she had been adopted as a child. But for her daughter, Niki wanted answers.
Her daughter, aged 27, was also positive for the ATM gene, which means there is a significant increase in the risk of her having breast cancer in the future.
All Niki wanted to do was take that away. She would do anything to make sure her daughter was safe and that she would never have to go through what she has. She was powerless and helpless.
Her daughter was too offered a double mastectomy.
Devastatingly, there is no monitoring through the NHS until the age of 30, even if you are positive for the ATM gene. There are no other checks she can do other than her own physical self-monitoring.
Niki feels incredibly frustrated; how can this be possible? How can this be her reality?
Finding Support at Helen Rollason Cancer Charity
Niki first heard of Helen Rollason Cancer Charity through being handed a leaflet whilst in hospital, before her surgery. She has been using the services regularly from her first point of contact.
Niki says in her own words:
“Your friends and family try everything they can to be there for you, to understand, but they can’t. Helen Rollason completely embraces you, completely understands you. The stuff you don’t see, they see. They really do pick up your life and carry it with you.”
Niki has benefitted from a range of support services through our West Essex Support Centre based in Harlow.
As she explains:
“The reflexology has been transformational for me. When I first walked into the centre, I was in pain and struggling with neuropathy, I was limping and couldn’t walk comfortably. After my treatment I walked out of the centre without feeling pain and like I had before my cancer. It was amazing and gave me a huge sense of confidence.
I was also able to sleep peacefully and fully immerse myself in a sense of relaxation. A state of mind I had truly missed for a long time.
I also greatly benefitted from their counselling service; it was offered to me at the perfect time, at the other side of my cancer journey. That’s when it hits you – the realisation that you have had and fought cancer.”
Returning to Work
Niki was eventually able to go back to work where she is a SENCO within a school.
Her employer has supported her greatly through an Occupational Therapist, which has made all the difference to being back in the workplace after what she has been through.
“They Understand Me, Niki”
Niki says:
“Having the regular contact with the staff at the Harlow centre has made a huge difference to me and my wellbeing. They just simply understand me, Niki, not just Niki with cancer, but Niki for Niki.
I feel so much better both mentally and physically.
I am grateful to all of them and feel extremely lucky to have them on my side.”
Niki’s Message to Other Women
Niki’s mission and message to all women is:
“Make sure you get checked, if you ever think anything is wrong, please. It is better to be wrong than undiagnosed. Early diagnosis is crucial, don’t be put off or made to feel silly, you know your body better than anyone, listen to it.”
Niki 12 month after chemotherapy
Niki now
