Mum to start Stratford-upon-Avon Race for Life
A MUM who was told she had breast cancer twice in 12 months has been chosen to start Race for Life events in Stratford-upon-Avon and Coventry this month.
Dr Melanie Griffiths, from Kenilworth, said being diagnosed a second time was “like Groundhog Day” because it meant repeat treatment on the opposite breast exactly a year after her first diagnosis.
Now the 49-year-old mum of two will share her story on stage in front of more than 3,000 women in a bid to highlight the importance of early diagnosis and funding for research.
She is urging anyone who can to join in Race for Life after volunteering to help out at the Ragley Hall event on Thursday 16th June and at Stoneleigh Race for Life on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th June.
Melanie who is head of service improvement at Warwick Hospital said: “Never in my mind did I think that there could be another cancer growing in my opposite breast after all the chemotherapy I had.”
“It was very difficult to cope with. We were just getting back to normal and then all of a sudden every day was like Groundhog Day. I started chemotherapy treatment exactly a year and two days after the first dose.”
Melanie was first diagnosed in September 2011 after finding a lump while taking a shower: “I felt fairly confident it would be fine so I went for the test results on my own. I was completely shell shocked by the news.”
Melanie’s husband Gary, who runs Conquira Ltd home design in Balsall Common, immediately rushed to hospital to be by her side.
“I remember feeling real anxiety about the impact the cancer diagnosis would have on the people around me,” said Melanie whose children were aged 11 and 13 at the time.
“My daughter asked me the inevitable question - was I going to die? But I treated it like it was, a problem we could deal with.
“Gary held the fort throughout my treatment and, at one stage, my son and his friend did a charity head shave without me knowing – he just came home one day with no hair. That was quite emotional.”
Melanie underwent surgery to remove the lump followed by six months of chemotherapy and three weeks of radiotherapy.
She returned to work in June 2012 but a routine mammogram in September revealed that, although the primary tumour had been successfully treated, there were abnormalities in the opposite breast. Further tests revealed a completely new cancer had developed.
“First time round you’re paranoid you’re going to develop cancer somewhere else,” said Melanie. “The second diagnosis just doubles that anxiety so I had to keep reminding myself that, thanks to advances in cancer therapies, treatment had worked the first time.
“It completely takes away that feeling of invincibility you have. You’ve got to remind yourself to be grateful for every day rather than have the expectation you’re going to live to 100. That’s hard to get your head around.”
During the second round of treatment Melanie was referred to Shakespeare Hospice in Stratford upon Avon where she received psychological and emotional support.
“Without that support I would have struggled to complete the repeat chemotherapy and recover so well,” she added.
“Now I feel ready to reach out and support others. I was so lucky to be supported by some amazing people and organisations but I'm sure not everyone is so lucky. The cancer journey is a tough one and no one deserves to travel it alone.”
Melanie will start the 5km and 10km Race for Life at Ragley Hall in Alcester at 7.30pm on Thursday, as well as the Stoneleigh events in Kenilworth. She has also volunteered as a marshal at Alcester Race for Life and Kenilworth Pretty Muddy.
Cancer Research UK spokeswoman Paula Young said: “We’re immensely grateful to Melanie for giving up her time to volunteer at Race for Life and for being brave enough to speak on stage.
“Her story illustrates just how important funding for research is. One in two people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives but by getting sponsored to help fund life-saving research, participants will be helping more people survive and enjoy more precious moments with their loved ones.”
Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, is an inspiring women-only series of 5k, 10k and Pretty Muddy events which raise millions of pounds every year to help fund life-saving research.
To enter a Race for Life event visit www.raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770.
