Thank you so much for your all your support
In January 2023 I went for a follow up (from September 22) appointment with the breast team at Kingston hospital. This time I wasn’t sent away, but biopsied there and then, “just to be sure it’s nothing”. This “nothing” was a tiny, little fingernail sized area of dry skin on my boob and whilst I’d observed it myself and made the GP appt, in my head this was really to stop me worrying and rule out anything sinister. A short fortnight later the biopsy results came back and I was asked to come in. That definitely didn’t seem like nothing to worry about - surely if I was all fine, they would have just phoned me. Scott came with me at his suggestion, “just in case”. We were barely in the surgeons door and I was very quickly told that I had Grade One, hormone receptive breast cancer and that I would need a lumpectomy (a wide local excision), then chemo and radiotherapy. Body blow after body blow, this was a lot to take in. Hold on though, I was told, grade one is very early and all treatment was thought to be curative. Ok so whilst trying to calm my brain down I was also told to immediately stop all my miracle HRT and that there would need to be further tests to ensure we were only dealing with one site. Multiple biopsies on both sides (one was an MRI guided biopsy which was very painful) followed and I was booked in for surgery. All other biopsies came back clear thank goodness. Surgery day arrived and I was sent back and forth between two (fortunately local) hospitals due to an admin mix up - this didn’t help the nerves I can tell you!! Post surgery was smooth sailing until a 2 week follow up, where I was hit with the histology which featured a second, this time grade 2 tumour and poor margins, meaning more surgery.
One month later and I’m back under the knife. Surely this time all would be clear?
Uh, no. Once again poor margins but this time, my team felt I needed to get on with chemotherapy and so again one month after my second op, I had a procedure to insert a port in my chest and then I started 12 wks of chemo. Never been so nervous in my life as when, with what felt like lead boots, I walked into the chemo unit at Kingston Hospital- a satellite of The Royal Marsden. Fortunately my nerves were spotted by the amazing team and I was given anti-anxiety medication alongside the chemo. Cold cap firmly in place I started what at that point seemed like an interminable course of chemo. In reality, it never felt like that. The Marsden staff are all so kind and caring and seeing them so often, you slip into an easy familiarity and they help you find ways to smile and relax through an arduous situation. I recognise how lucky I was during this phase of treatment, you’re at the hospital frequently and both living so close and not experiencing such drastic side effects as expected, was invaluable. As chemo ended so did the summer and after a couple of short trips away, which I never expected to manage this year, it was time for my mastectomy. You’d think that this would be a big deal, but in reality, I’d already written off my left boob and so was not sorry to see it finally go (oh and they found a third tumour upon post op inspection, so good riddance). With an excellent plastic surgeon now part of the team, I was sent home with an expander in place, to allow for healing and skin stretching ahead of the final reconstructive surgery. This happened in December 23, bringing a frankly bizarre year to a close. If you told me at the start of Jan 23 whilst I was knocking back G&Ts in my friend's marquee, that this is what 2023 would have in store I would have laughed - as they say, you couldn’t make it up! But the point is, this is happening it seems to more and more women (and men) and so this is why I’ll be marching with my girlie gang to raise funds for the Royal Marsden - a truly phenomenal place full of compassionate staff who deserve every superlative one can bestow. The treatment continues for quite a long time and I now look forward to seeing the staff each time I go in, despite the fact that they’re sticking needles in me most of the time! In particular I would like to thank Breast Nurse Angela Hawkins for getting me through and helping me navigate and for answering my multiple questions with pragmatism and humour. I’d like to thank surgeons Chloe Constantinou and Theo Nanides for ensuring I am cancer free and rebuilt. And Oncologist Marina Parton for explaining all the treatment so clearly and for listening to concerns. I could not have got through the year without the collective hug and support from friends and family and I will always be grateful to my work family for giving me the time and space to process, cope and heal. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. And now as I move forward and step off the rollercoaster, I am dizzy but healthy, still processing, but thankful. So if you can spare a few pounds, please sponsor my friends and I as we march from Marsden (Fulham) to Marsden (Sutton) this weekend. Thank you x
Our achievements
You increased your target
Profile picture added
You added a blog post
You've got your first donation
50% of your target raised
Fundraising goal reached!
Thank you to our sponsors
£200
The Education Company
£100
Jon Batterham
Tiff, so sorry you went through all of this. Thanks for sharing your story. Truly inspiring how you dealt with it all. Look forward to catching up. Love all at Chrysalis Research x
£100
Glyn And Jacqui
Well done Tiff. Sending lots of love and best wishes. Glyn and Jacqui
£50
David And Becky
Good luck with the walk, Tiff! Love, David and Becky x
£50
Michael Murphy
Best wishes, Michael Murphy
£50
Kerri Henderson
Go Team Tiff, such a great cause and so pleased they looked after you so well 🥰
£50
Georgina Martin
Best of luck Tiff
£50
Pauline Jones
Great cause Kerri xxxx
£50
Catherine & All The Lyons
Go Team Tiff's Tit. Your strength and courage have been so inspiring Tiff - sending you all love & encouragement. Sorry I couldn't join you xx
£50
Nick, Harry, Issy And Ollie X
Go Lou! Don’t forget your plasters!
£50
Rachel Vignoli
Amazing Lou. Loads of love. Enjoy the walk xxxx
£50
Carly Garrett
Dear Team Tiff's Tit, Wishing you a lovely walk in the sunshine tomorrow and I am so sorry I can't join you. Heaps of love Carly xx
£50
Alvys Rees
Well done Lou x
£50
Fiona
Well done amazing team Tiff ❤️
£50
Sara Brockett
Good Luck Tiff. Sara, William, Stanley & Cyril x
£50
R Snow
Go Tiff!
£50
Duminy Family
Well done and super fantastic effort!!!
£50
Tiffany Barwick
£50
Matt & Ash Young
Good luck Tiff. Hope you smash your target.
£50
Kathryn Da Costa
Great news to hear you’re cancer free. We’ve been thinking of you. Good luck with the walk x
£50
Dad
♥️
£50
David Cross
Big hug from all the family…… lots of love
£50
Richard Chambury
Smash it Tiff X
£50
Sonia Brockett
Good luck tiff ❤️
£50
Karen Wharmby
Good luck with the walk! Your courage and determination will get you to that finish line! Will be thinking of you! Xx
£50
Colin Barwick
£50
Jenny
Lots of love!
£50
Mel
Go team Tiff, sending all my love xx
£50
Sarah, Jayson, Anna, Sam And Josh
Well done Tiff and all those walking with you!
£35
Val Nicol
Wow what a rollercoaster year for you Tiff. So glad to hear you are now cancer free and are doing the walk to give back to this wonderful team. Lots of love xxx
£35
Steve 'n' Simon
£35
Galloway Family
Good luck Tiff x
£35
Vic
A wonderful thing to do ..lots of love xxx
£35
Rachelle Channing
£35
Linda Brage
Good luck with the walk Love and best wishes from us all across the road. Linda Brage & family xxxx
£35
Rebecca Snow
£35
Fraser, Aaron And Jake
What a great cause. Good luck team Tiff
£35
The Linchmob
Go tiff! 🙌
£35
Jess Sarson
So sorry to hear you’ve had such an ordeal. Sounds like you’ve had a wonderful team to treat and support you. Sending lots of love and wishing you well for the remainder of your treatment. Good luck on the walk. Jess x
£35
Kate Martin
Well done Tiffwick (Emily made me write that!!) So happy to support such a good cause. Loads of love from The Martin Family. Xxx
£35
Becky Hayes
So far you are on the mend. Take care xx
£35
Eleanor Fea
Good luck to you and your team Tiff XX
£35
Sharon Roessen
Wow what a year an incredible story. Lots of love Sharon, Ludo and Evie!
£35
Jeremy Coleman
Best Wishes Tiff. I hope you are fully recovered and fit & healthy again now.
£35
Isabella Park
Great to be doing the walk. Sorry you had such a difficult year and here's to a fantastic 2024.
£30
Colette Harris
With love and so much respect for your journey and your fundraising walk! X
£30
Sharon Corden
Good Luck Tiffany. Love from Sharon & Andrew xx
£30
Katie Meech
👏 A belated well done to you all -- and thank you Royal Marsden for all you did for Tiff and other friends. 🙏
£30
Janice Collins
Best of luck, Cheryl would be proud !!! xxx
£30
Ruth & Stefan Armitage
All the love! Go smash it!
£30
Kelly Devereux
£30
Rachel Foster
Tiff you have been so pragmatic and strong this year, just amazing. Enjoy your walk in May xx
£30
Nadine Tuffin
You are totally amazing Tiff and truly such an inspiration. This is such a wonderful cause. We loved the Royal Marsden. With lots of love Nadine & Richard and co. XxX
£25
Christopher Brooks
Go team Tiff. All the best with your fundraising activities.
£25
Sarah Newcombe
Enjoy the day ladies! It is a fantastic organisation. So pleased you are on the mend xx
£25
Martin Finn
£25
Laura Gillen
Good Luck Tiffany!
£25
Anna Stone
Lovely thing to do- good luck X
£25
Sharon
Good luck, Sharon xx
£25
Kate Mcgoey
So much love Tiff, you’re awesome x
£25
Ninette
Great cause and good luck to a fantastic woman!
£25
Marcus Hernon
Well done Tiff and hope you get a nice day for it.
£25
Victoria
Good luck all !
£25
Dan Rhoda
Hope all well Tiff, all the best xx
£25
Simon Butler
£25
Anne Vie
Thinking of you
£25
Libby
Well done to you Tiff and your Tit!
£25
Paul Midds
Good luck Tiff, looks like you'll have the Sun out!
£25
Erica
Go giiiirrrrlll
£25
Abi
Well done Tiff :)
£20
Julie
Go girl!
£20
Jayne Bull
So sorry to hear what a dreadful year you had Tiff and hoping for a speedy and permanent recovery.
£20
Alice
Such a great cause Tiff! Good luck with the walk X X
£20
Anonymous
Bloody love Tiff’s tit - brilliant name for a brilliant cause. We are very lucky to have these great facilities near by. Happy walking and speaking of let’s have another walk very soon! 😘😘😘
£20
Sarah Hoeksma
Good luck Lou - great cause x
£20
Victoria Downie
Good luck! Hope the achilles hold up!!
£20
Anne Rondel
Well done Lou
£20
Victoria Holden
Good luck Lou!
£20
Claire W
Go Team Tiff! X
£20
Janette Reed
Good luck, Tiffany
£20
Alison Stubbings
Such a horrible year for you. So proud of how you coped xxxxx love FL
£20
Tania Blake
Amazing! Well done
£20
Paul Brown
Good luck Clare
£20
Chantal And Barry Ellis
Great cause well done Tiffany, wishing you well xx
£20
Tricia Lower
You’re brilliant, well done Tiff
£20
Elizabeth Walker
Loads of luck Carrie-Ann - an amazing cause xxx
£20
Alice Shelmerdine
Full of admiration for you Tiff and so glad to hear that you’ve got the all clear! X X
£20
Sabine Bullinger
Great to hear that you are cancer free and you want to support the important work of the hospital. All the best! xx
£20
Dunia Dabbagh
Glad you’re on the mend Tiff and you’re cancer free! Congrats sweetheart! X
£20
Nic Poulter
Well done Tiff! You're amazing!
£20
Kristina Rueber
£20
Don Shanahan
Enormous luck Tiff! You'll smash that march! x
£20
Ali Hamdi
Well done Tiff - your courage is amazing- you’ve done so well this year. Onwards and upwards xx
£20
Karen C
Such a worthy cause, go girls xx
£20
Brigette Radloff
Good Luck Lou & Team. X
£20
Alison Shaw
You are amazing Tiff and are such an inspiration. Good luck with the walk and raising funds for such a vital cause. lots of love Alison, Phil, Lauren & Emily xx
£20
Donna Coulson
Good luck with the walk, cuz xx
£20
The Perugi Family
Good luck with the walk!! Sending lots of love from The Perugi family xxx
£20
Henrietta And Family
Amazing cause and so inspiring - well done Tiff and team
£20
Nancy Pegg
Well done Lou!!! A brilliant challenge for a very worthy charity. Hope the sun shines down on you on the day xxx
£20
Ali W
Good luck Tiffany and team
£20
Eleanor Miller
You’re doing a great thing Tiff xxx
£15
Bella Park
Sorry that you had to go through this Tiff ❤️
£15
Jo Jury
Sending you lots of love ❤️
£15
Elfa
Best of luck on your marching!
£15
Rohima Crook
Rooting for you Tiff! x
£15
Dorothy Houlder
£15
Natalie Manning
Well done Lou - Fab Cause x
£15
Linda B
Love and wishes from me and my girls Coco&Gracie. Go smash it!!xxx
£15
Carrie-ann Houlder
£15
Rebecca
Such good news and good luck!!!
£15
Lucy Marcovitch
This is such a story Tiff - what a year indeed. I am so glad you are well. Have a fantastic walk with your girls.
£15
Miranda Sinclair
Well done and on such a hot day too x
£15
Beth Bramley
All the best wonderful Tiff x
£15
Pauline Hughes
£15
Nicola Hull
My thoughts are with you good luck on Sunday 👍🏻xx
£15
Jasmin Athwal
Well done Tiff!!
£15
Victoria Gleeson
Good luck Tiff!!
£15
Jill Elston
£15
Sam Mercer
£15
Tash Hoepfl
Go Tiff. So sorry you went through all that. Good luck.
£15
Steve Key
Go Tiff!!! Love Steve xx
£10
Anonymous
Good luck!!
£10
Jake M
£10
Rachel
Well done Team Tiff!! Hard going in this heat. Hope you’ve stayed hydrated and enjoyed the sunshine.
£10
Chris Grundy
Lots of love from Dode ❤️
£10
Alison Keane
Good luck Tiff, lots of love 🌺💗🌺
£10
Laura
What a wonderful cause good luck Carly xx
£10
Elliott Wilson-ward
£10
Rachel Symons
Well done on your march Tiff. Hope the sun shines for you whilst you do it!
£10
Katherine Bass
Cancer messed with the wrong woman! Go Tiff. Lots of love Katherine, Luke, George & Issy xxxx
£10
Lynda
Of course I’m going to sponsor Tiff’s tit! Go for it you awesome lady!
£10
Lucy Macaulay
Go! Go! GO!
£10
Steve
Well done on the good cause from the Clayton’s!
£10
Lizzie Ferris
Go team Tiff! Loads of love to you and your girl gang x
£10
Edy Scott
Well done Lou & the rest of Team Tiff! Ex
£10
Jess Deverson
Great effort, Lou, and such a good cause. Lots of love XX
£8
Poppy
❤️❤️❤️
£5
Jovi
£5
Ben
£5
Clare Brown
£5
Floss
Such an amazing cause good luck on the walk!! ❤️❤️
£5
Sam Whitby
Good luck Tiff and friends, hope the weather is kind and you enjoy your walk!
£5
Anonymous
Our Fundraising Journey
With much love and respect from your friends and The Education Company x x