Eight years ago, Helen Tindall went for a routine mammogram appointment without a care in the world. Helen, who lives in Kendal, was never expecting to be diagnosed with stage two invasive lobular breast cancer.
“I had no symptoms, and the lump in my breast was so small that I would never have found it without a mammogram,” Helen said. “Now, I’m always hammering home the importance of going to any routine appointment offered!”
Prior to her own diagnosis, Helen had been affected by cancer; her late mother and father were diagnosed with ovarian and blood cancer respectively, and her friend sadly died from breast cancer. Helen’s husband has recently recovered from bowel cancer.
Helen’s mother attended CancerCare, benefiting from counselling and joining the silversmithing group.
Helen’s treatment included a lumpectomy and lymph node removal, followed by a course of radiotherapy. She was required to start tamoxifen; however, she suffered an extremely negative reaction to the medication.
Helen said: “It was hell. Within two weeks of taking the drug, my legs completely went. I found it hard to walk freely, with the symptoms worsening in cold weather. After five years on it, I was given the all-clear to come off it.”
Helen had Indian Head Massage sessions with Kim at the Kendal Centre, and she also made use of the hydrotherapy pool at Sandgate. Helen found the sessions relaxing and comforting, with the pace led by herself: “It was fantastic. Kim let me decide whether I wanted to relax and listen to the music or chat away to her. I came away from the sessions feeling much lighter. It was like having arms wrapped around you.”
Helen has worked for long-term CancerCare supporters Lakeland Limited for 28 years. She generously supported us by co-funding the printing of the 2024 Lakeland Wild Swimmers Charity Calendar, which raised over £5,000 for us.
Helen concluded: “I’m a positive person in general and have always regarded cancer as another challenge to tackle. CancerCare has played a big part in helping me get through it all.”