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Harriet Harrison, 24, from West Derby, Liverpool, never expected to be diagnosed with cancer. When she discovered a lump in her breast during a shower, she assumed it was harmless, believing that due to her age, nothing serious could be wrong. “When I found the lump I was like ‘oh god’ what is it, but I didn’t think it would be anything sinister because of my age and everyone else said the same,” she recalled. told by Manchester Evening News
However, after visiting her doctor the following day, a biopsy revealed the lump to be malignant. “I went to the doctors the day after I found it, they said it shouldn’t be anything to worry about but they wanted to do a biopsy to make sure. It came back that there were cancer cells.” The news was a complete shock. Harriet described the moment she received her diagnosis: “[When they told me] it felt like it wasn’t real. I didn’t know what to think but it was so scary and you just think the worst. It was a blur, it didn’t sink in. It’s only recently that I have got my head around it, it was nothing I expected to happen to me.”
As expected, family and friends were also stunned by the diagnosis. “Everyone was just so shocked, no one expected it to be cancer. It wasn’t something we thought would happen,” Harriet added.
Following the diagnosis, Harriet underwent genetic testing at Clatterbridge Hospital to check for any family history of breast cancer. Fortunately, the results came back clear. However, the question “Why me?” still lingered. “I had genetic testing done because of my age. It came back clear which was a relief but it made me question why me? It was just bad luck that it happened to me and the questions as to why I have it [cancer] hasn’t been answered.”
In June, Harriet began chemotherapy and although the treatment caused nausea and fatigue, she maintained a positive mindset. “I feel like you just have to be positive. Of course, there have been struggles but I wouldn’t change it so I just had to try and get on with it and make the best out of it.” According to the Liverpool Echo.
However, her second round of treatment in September was much tougher. “I started a second lot of treatment which was a stronger chemotherapy and that was honestly horrendous. I have been in and out of hospital since I started it because of how poorly I’ve been,” Harriet explained. She also faced hair loss and intensified side effects, but despite it all, she remains hopeful. “I’m just glad that chemo is done and I can kind of get back to being myself and make my body feel normal again because, for the last six months, I’ve not felt myself.”
Harriet is now awaiting surgery to remove the remaining tumor at the end of the month, followed by radiotherapy. Throughout her battle, she has been supported by her boyfriend, Nick, and family. “When I was first diagnosed someone said the best medicine is positivity and it stuck with me. I would say it to other people because it has helped me.”
Her journey is a testament to the power of positivity and the strength of support, and Harriet hopes to inspire others facing similar challenges.
