At The House of Hope Scotland, we believe in the power of positive stories, and Wendy French's journey is a shining example. We put out a call for stories of hope from breast cancer patients, and Wendy shared her journey with us. It's a powerful reminder of resilience, the importance of listening to your body, and the incredible strength found in celebrating every milestone.
Almost five years ago, right at the start of lockdown, Wendy received a devastating diagnosis of Stage 1 Grade 3 ER/PR negative, HER2 positive breast cancer. As a single mum to a teenage daughter, this presented immense challenges for her and her family.
One of the most profound insights Wendy shared was about the pressure to become "superwoman" after a diagnosis. She recalls climbing Arthur's Seat just after her first chemo session, a testament to her spirit, but also a moment that highlighted the need to slow down.
Her advice? "Take the time to come to terms with it." This is an incredibly important point to make. It's so easy to push ourselves, but true healing often begins with embracing a gentler pace.
We are delighted to say that today, we're celebrating with Wendy as she marks an incredible milestone: five years cancer-free! Her recent checks all came back clear, and she's feeling fantastic, back to doing everything she loved before her diagnosis and more.
We are incredibly thankful to Wendy for her openness and for sharing her experience. Her story is a testament to resilience and the incredible joy of reclaiming life. It reminds us that hope is not just a feeling, but a powerful force that propels us forward.
Thank you, Wendy, for being such an inspiration!
"Slow down and take the time to come to terms with it."
