Very Pink Run: 'Thankfully, I am doing great now!' - Colette lacing up to support Breast Cancer Ireland

I found a lump in April 2019 but wasn't overly concerned. It was very large, and I thought to myself that nothing sinister could appear that large and obvious so suddenly. My GP wasn't concerned and thought it felt hormonal, but referred me to a consultant.

On the morning of my referral appointment, I was standing in front of the mirror (naked), tying up my hair. I could clearly see a large dimple in my breast, just under where I knew the lump was. I knew then that this was going to be something. 

My partner and I travelled to Dublin that day. We got to the consultant's office, and when he examined me, he said straight away that he felt that I had cause for concern and that he was worried about the lump in my breast and about a lymph node that he could feel. 

Up to that point, the thought of there being an issue with anything other than my breast hadn't even entered my head, and I was terrified. My boys were three and eight at the time.

I went back for the results the following week. My partner and sister, who's a nurse, came with me. 

Of course, my cancer diagnosis was confirmed. 

The plan was surgery, then chemotherapy and radiotherapy assuming that I was HER2-. That specific result wasn't back at that point, but I was. My surgery was scheduled for the 29th May; a mastectomy and auxiliary node clearance. 

Before going in for surgery, I had to decide what to tell my boys. The youngest was only three, and we knew he wouldn't understand anything, so we didn't make a big deal of it to him at all. 

Breast Cancer Ireland Patient Supporter Colette Quinn (Cavan) pictured at the launch of Breast Cancer Ireland’s Very Pink Run. Pic: Marc O'Sullivan

My older boy was a different matter, and it didn't occur to me prior to our conversation that he knew several people who had died from cancer, but he didn't know anyone who had recovered. 

He was absolutely terrified, and it took a long time to convince him that my cancer was treatable and that I would recover. 

My surgery went well. The tumour was over 5cm, which my consultant advised me pushed me into the Stage 3 category. I started chemotherapy during the week of my 44th birthday. I tolerated this well. 

I did have an issue with my heart towards the end; I was having an exceptionally fast heartbeat - up to 260 beats per minute. I saw a consultant, and it turned out that I had always had an electrical imbalance in my heart. Chemotherapy had triggered a reaction, but it resolved itself after I finished chemo.

On 30th December 2019, I started six weeks of radiotherapy. I got my port out on 12th March, and when I came back to the ward after the procedure, my partner told me that the schools were closing on that Thursday. I felt, and still feel, very lucky that I was diagnosed and had all of my treatment before covid became an issue.

In March 2023 had reconstructive surgery (DIEP flap) and a reduction last year. I found the surgeries tough going, and have minor complications from the more minor surgery, the reduction. 

The surgery was six months ago now, and the wound has not healed. Overall, I'm doing well now. I have noticed that some of my fingernails are yellow, so I am seeing my GP next week about that. 

Thankfully, I am doing great now!

Participation in the Very Pink Run event is easy – simply register to take part at www.verypinkrun.ie, gather your ‘pink tribe’ by encouraging your friends and family to do the same, then attend one (or all!) of the 3 live events* in Dublin, Kilkenny or Cork - or alternatively do your individual or group run, walk, scoot, wheel or cycle in your own community during the week of the national event (30th September-8th October 2023) – and be sure to share your photos, and videos across social media using the hashtags #VeryPinkRun, #ReasonToRun or #VeryPinkTribe

Follow ongoing event updates on Instagram @VeryPinkRun and @BreastCancerIre on Twitter using the hashtags #VeryPinkRun #ReasonToRun or #VeryPinkTribe

*10k event in Dublin starts at 12noon, 5k event starts at 12.45pm on 30th September at Leopardstown

*10k event in Kilkenny starts at 12 noon, 5k event starts at 12.45pm 1st October at Kilkenny Castle Park

*10k event in Cork starts at 12 noon, 5k event starts at 12.45pm on 8th October at MTU

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